KadimaCoaching

🌍 Where in the World is Kadima? This week, Kadima was in Brussels, Belgium, participating in the final European conference of the NOA Project (Networks Overcoming Antisemitism).

Representing Kadima was our Director of Europe, Rabbi Yaakov Shafferman, who joined Jewish educators, community leaders, and civil society organizations from across Europe to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Jewish communities today: how to cultivate strong, proud Jewish identities while combating antisemitism through education.

The conference, organized in partnership with UnitEd and other leading European Jewish organizations, focused on equipping educators with practical, research-based pedagogical tools to create vibrant classrooms, foster belonging, and empower students to engage thoughtfully and confidently with their Jewish identity.

At Kadima, we are honored to be part of a global network of educators committed to building classrooms of respect, achievement, resilience, and Jewish purpose. Together, we continue to learn, collaborate, and strengthen Jewish education around the world. 🌟🤝

🇮🇱 Last Thursday, our Kadima Israel Coaching Team gathered for a meaningful lunch and conversation! ☕🤝

It was a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, share experiences, and discuss some of the biggest challenges facing Jewish education today. Together, we explored how instructional coaching helps teachers strengthen their pedagogy, increase student engagement, navigate classroom challenges, and create more impactful learning experiences. 💡

At Kadima, we know that great schools are built by great educators—and great educators thrive when they have ongoing support, collaboration, reflection, and coaching. 🌱

A huge thank you to our incredible coaches for your dedication, wisdom, and commitment to helping teachers and students grow every day. 💙📚

Together, we’re building stronger classrooms, stronger teachers, and stronger Jewish communities. ✨

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"I’m David Saltzman, a Kadima coach on the ZEI Fellowship and am originally from Chicago.

My work in Jewish education focuses on strengthening excellence in day schools through student-centered learning - helping students take ownership of their growth and engagement.

When it comes to Jewish and Zionist history, I’m especially drawn to defining moments like the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.

In Israel, you’ll most likely find me out on the trails - hiking and taking in the landscape.

I’m looking forward to being part of the ZEI Fellowship, meeting and collaborating with educators who share a deep passion for Eretz Yisrael!"

- David Saltzman

Kadima

Yesterday’s Israel Day Parade was a powerful reminder of the strength, pride, and unity of our Jewish day school community. One of the highlights for us at Kadima Coaching was cheering on so many of our partner schools marching with their students, families, faculty, and leaders, including: Yeshiva Har Torah, The Abraham Joshua Heschel School, Rodeph Sholom School, SAR Academy, Westchester Day School, Yavneh Academy, Shulamith School For Girls, North Shore Middle School, Yeshivat He'Atid, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, Sephardic Academy

Am Yisrael Chai! 🇮🇱

We’re beyond thrilled to be working with the awesome Sarah Gordon on the Zionist Education Initiative Fellowship!

Meet Sarah Gordon, Vice President at Unpacked for Educators and another one of our incredible Zionist Education Initiative (ZEI) Fellowship Educators.

"My work in Jewish education focuses on helping teachers navigate Israel education with depth, nuance, and confidence - creating space for meaningful conversations with students about Israel.

One of my favorite parts of Jewish and Zionist history is the story of the early pioneers, the Chalutzim, who rolled up their sleeves and transformed a dream into reality, building a homeland from the ground up.

When I’m in Israel, you’ll most likely find me hiking in the north or exploring the trails of the Golan.

What I’m most looking forward to about the ZEI Fellowship is the opportunity to think deeply about Israel education alongside a diverse and passionate community of educators."

We’re excited to bring her voice and experience into our growing ZEI community as part of our partnership with Unpacked for Educators.

💻📚✨ Today at Emek Hebrew Academy, teachers came together to explore an important question: What is the right role for technology in our classrooms?

🤔 The conversation wasn’t about adding more tech—or eliminating it altogether. It was about finding the right balance.

⚖️ Together, teachers worked on developing a school-wide technology philosophy that values both tech-free learning experiences and the intentional use of digital tools when they genuinely enhance learning. The focus was on helping students develop healthy habits, use technology responsibly, and engage with tools that deepen understanding, spark creativity, and help them internalize what they’re learning.

🧠💡 As technology and AI continue to evolve, schools have an opportunity to be thoughtful and proactive, ensuring that every use of technology aligns with their educational values and goals.

👏 We loved being part of these important conversations and helping educators think deeply about the future of teaching and learning.

🚀🍎:

🌍✈️ Where in the World is Kadima today?

Today, Kadima was at Emek Hebrew Academy in sunny Los Angeles leading a full day of professional development focused on:

🎮 Gamifying the classroom to boost engagement and motivation
🧩 Using powerful learning protocols across K–2, grades 3–5, and middle school classrooms
💻📵 Balancing technology with intentional tech-free learning environments
🧠 Thinking deeply about when tech enhances learning — and when student connection, discussion, creativity, and hands-on learning matter more

From anticipation guides and collaborative learning structures to meaningful conversations about student engagement and screen time, it was a thoughtful and energizing day of growth, reflection, and practical strategies teachers can bring into their classrooms immediately.

Thank you to the incredible faculty and leadership at Emek for your openness, creativity, and commitment to creating intentional, student-centered learning experiences for your students! 💙

📚✨ As the school year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect:

What did your students truly internalize this year?
💭 Which big ideas stayed with them?
🗣️ How did they grow as thinkers, learners, collaborators, and people?
🌱 What skills did they develop both inside and outside the classroom?

One powerful way to surface this learning is through a Socratic Seminar — creating space for students to wrestle with essential questions, reflect deeply, and learn from one another. Whether in Jewish Studies or general studies classrooms, these conversations can help students make meaning of the year they’ve experienced together. ✨

Check out our DIY resources for running a Socratic Seminar!

🎥 Start with this video of a Socratic Seminar in an 8th grade Navi (Prophets) class at North Shore Hebrew Academy MS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE4wA8sbPEo

📖 Explore additional SocSem resources here:
https://bit.ly/KadimaSocSemResources

And of course, feel free to reach out if you’d like more direct PD or coaching support on bringing discussion protocols like these into your classrooms and schools.

📩 [email protected]

🙏 With thanks to The Mayberg Foundation and The Covenant Foundation for their generous support of this project.

🌍✈️ Where in the World is Kadima?

This week, Kadima was in Israel at the International Conference for Jewish Education in Israel and the Diaspora! 🇮🇱📚

Our Director of Global Partnerships, Smadar Goldstein, joined many of our incredible coaches and educators for meaningful conversations about the future of Jewish education around the world. 🌟

We were especially proud to see Kadima coach Dr. Ketty Granite present her innovative Hebrew language curriculum, sharing powerful ideas for engaging and empowering learners. 🗣️✨ Dr. Granite is also currently leading Kadima’s work at Scuole Ebraiche di Roma, where she is providing professional development in Hebrew language instruction to a cohort of teachers. 🇮🇹📖

We also heard from Ofer Glanz of the Renaissance Hub about the revitalization and future of Jewish education in Europe — an inspiring reminder of the resilience, creativity, and growth happening across Jewish communities worldwide. 🌍💡

One particularly meaningful session featured Professor Sergio Della Pergola, the world-renowned expert on Jewish demography and Israel-Diaspora relations. His insights into global Jewish identity, migration, and the evolving landscape of Jewish communities offered a powerful lens into both the challenges and opportunities facing Jewish education today. 📊🌎

From Israel to Europe and beyond, Kadima is proud to be part of the global conversation shaping meaningful, student-centered Jewish learning for the next generation. 🚀📖

Happy Shavuot!