Continuing Education for Preschool Teachers
A three-day continuing education course, filled with inspiration from various lecturers and creators, focused on creative pedagogy and innovative Jewish education – as adapted for early childhood. The course was also a platform for mutually-productive peer learning and contributed to the development of personal and professional connections between Meitarim preschool teachers – from Ramat HaGolan in the North to Yerucham in the South.
Words of Meitarim
As part of Meitarim’s response to the unique needs of preschool teachers during the challenging COVID-19 year, Meitarim created an engaging at-home project for the young students. Learning materials were created about various concepts and events related to the calendar year, the seasons, holidays and festivals. The materials were sent by the preschool teachers directly to the children at their homes. This helped the teachers maintain contact and teach, even during the lockdowns and social distancing regulations and it helped parents and children engage with each other while learning Jewish content.
Passover Haggadah
A colorful, illustrated Haggadah adapted for children was distributed to all of Meitarim’s preschools and first and second-grade classes. The Haggadah incorporates select parts of the Passover Hagaddah that were made age-appropriate and integrates Meitarim-style pedagogy and creativity, including interactive activities for the holiday table.
Looking Forward to 2021-2022
Shmita Booklet for Preschools
In preparation for the Shmita year, a booklet was compiled to introduce basic concepts and the ideological values at the core of Shmita: the need and right of the land to rest, the connection between the land and people resting and the ability to release – to concede and let go of things that are dear to us. The booklet is based on familiar children’s stories in which these values are represented.