kindle your Judaism

kindle your Judaism

Jewish Learning Initiative

Shoshana Gibbor MIT/Wellesley

Program Overview:

Modern American Judaism/Journeys of Discoverythe HolocaustModern Israeli HistoryModern American Jewish FictionJudaism on Gender and SexualityConversation Between Religion and Science.

A literacy program that addresses the Jewish Literacy deficit of college studentsStudents sign up to read 6 books throughout 2 semesters (approximately once a month) & participate in monthly book discussions for about 90 minutesA cohort works best when it consists of between 6 - 12 students

6 Topics of Jewish Literacy:

Advantages of using Kindle:

Distribution costs are nil & eBooks are less expensive on averageA selected text is always in stock and distributed instantaneously Offering the Kindle device as an incentive to students, we have an extrinsic motivator that is proven to be helpful in guaranteeing student engagementIf students wish to continue their reading, we can get them texts anywhere without addresses or postage.Ideal for continuing educational model that brings this program to a whole new level, strengthening and adding substance to our long-term relationships that we hold with BRI Alumni

Getting Started:

Budget for the programPlant seeds while on the Birthright tripsimply talk up this opportunity!Formally invite students to participate just after they return from BirthrightI use a google form as a sign-up sheet (also helps to capture/organize necessary data Host a “kick-off” session for those who signed up - hand out Kindle’s & collect contractsAllow students to read at their own pace throughout the month & schedule 1 meeting/month for group discussionsome books require more time than others to read - it’s helpful to organize the conversation around certain key topics/chapters/themes/etc.

Impact; Take-Aways; Best Practices:

Participation in the

Kindle Your Judaism

opportunity can be used another unique selling point for YOUR campus Birthright trip

Guarantees a substantive BRI Reunion once a month...which strengthens communal bonds built on the trip among participants & deepens your relationship with each participant

Kindle Your Judaism

creates a solidified micro-community, that you can leverage for other post-trip engagement opportunities throughout the year

ie: Ari Shavit will be coming to MIT & one of the events will be a round table conversation w/Kindle students

You can connect your Kindle micro-community to other Jewish micro-communities on campus (if you have Engagement Interns, they can team up to program together, core Hillel community, etc.)

Book List is flexible;

Kindle Your Judaism 2.0

/other options etc. Jewvie’s etc.