If you’re working in Jewish education and engagement right now, you’ve probably felt it: Israel conversations are harder, messier, and more important than ever. Teens want to talk about the war. Parents are asking tough questions. And educators are trying to lead without always having the tools, resources, or confidence that feel necessary. 

At CJP, we’ve been listening closely. We’ve heard over and over again that educators want more: 

  • A stronger foundation of knowledge about Israel and Zionism. 
  • Skills for facilitating challenging conversations and interactions. 
  • Connections to colleagues who understand what it feels like to be on the front lines of Israel education today. 

So we’re doing something about it. Groundwork: A Fellowship in Israel Learning and Leadership for Teen-Serving Professionals is a year-long immersive initiative designed to empower educators and engagement professionals across Greater Boston with the knowledge, confidence, and community they need to deepen Israel education and engagement in their settings. Grounded in CJP’s commitment to strengthening the Jewish teen and emerging adult ecosystem, investing in professionals, and expanding meaningful connections to Israel, this fellowship brings together a dynamic cohort for in-person learning, relationship-building, and transformative travel. 

Fellows will engage with experts in the field, participate in a vibrant community of practice, and take part in a powerful educational journey to Israel – all while gaining tools, strategies, and support to bring back to their organizations. This experience will address approaches and challenges around teaching about Israel and provide a nurturing space to grow both professionally and personally. Through Groundwork, we are laying a foundation for more informed, inspired, and connected educators – ready to lead our community into deeper, more nuanced conversations about and interactions with Israel. 

What Groundwork Includes 

Groundwork is a journey. Each part of the fellowship builds on the last to give you the grounding, confidence, and tools to teach Israel with nuance and authenticity. 

  • Getting Grounded: In this foundational session, fellows will explore their personal and professional relationships to Israel and Zionism through JFNA’s “Getting Grounded” curriculum. Participants will build shared language and a baseline understanding of key concepts, narratives, and challenges in Israel education. Supervisors and lay leaders join the cohort to foster institutional alignment and support, setting the stage for deeper learning and ongoing partnership.
  • Navigating Complexity: Over two immersive days, fellows will deepen their skills in navigating complex, emotionally charged conversations about Israel. With expert facilitation from our partners at The iCenter, participants will explore tools for values-based dialogue, conflict resolution, and pedagogic intentionality—leaving with a toolkit of adaptable curricular resources and greater comfort facilitating nuanced discussions in their communities.
  • Immersive Israel Experience: Fellows will travel to Israel for a transformative mifgash experience, engaging with diverse Israeli educators, organizations, and communities across the Haifa region and beyond. The trip offers rich encounters, experiential learning, and opportunities to explore the social, cultural, and political landscape of modern Israel. This shared journey fosters deep professional growth, storytelling rooted in lived experience, and stronger ties between Boston and Israel.
  • Practical Skill Building: This hands-on session focuses on translating learning into action. Fellows will engage in lesson planning, facilitation practice, and case study work to build confidence and readiness to implement Israel education in their settings. This workshop also welcomes supervisors to ensure institutional alignment and support for sustainable impact.
  • Siyyum: In this closing gathering, fellows will reflect on their growth, share insights, and celebrate their year-long journey. Together, they will solidify their commitment to Israel education, contribute to the growing community of practice, and explore opportunities for continued collaboration. The siyyum affirms their roles as leaders and strengthens the bridge between inspiration and long-term impact.
  • Resource Library: Fellows will have access to a wide variety of research and opinion articles, curricular materials and frameworks, multimedia, facilitation tools and strategies, planning templates and more.
  • Mentoring and Coaching: The fellowship will include professional mentorship and peer-to-peer reflective opportunities to empower participants to continue their learning, identify opportunities for growth, provide space for sharing best practices and challenges along the journey and to reflect on their individual and collective experiences.
  • Practical Application Project – Bringing it Home: As a culminating element of the fellowship, each participant will design a Practical Application Project that puts their learning into action within their unique educational context. Fellows will develop and share a creative expression or implementation—such as a new Israel-focused program, an updated immersive travel itinerary, a blog post, podcast episode, lesson plan, or piece of reflective art—within their small group reflection cohort. This project invites the talented professionals in our community to personalize their experience, deepen impact within their institution, and inspire peers through shared learning and innovative practice.

Why This Matters

We know that Israel education is not easy right now. But we also know that our teens and communities need it more than ever. They’re craving honest, nuanced conversations. They want educators who can guide them with clarity, integrity, and inspiration. 

Groundwork is our way of saying: you don’t have to do this alone. We’re bringing you leading educators in the field and top partners like The iCenter, Jewish Federations of North America, For the Sake of Argument, and Unpacked for Educators. We’re investing in travel, training, and community-building because we believe you deserve the best resources and support. And we’re making sure supervisors and institutions are part of this too, so the impact lasts far beyond one year. 

Fellowship details 

  • Up to 30 teen-serving professionals from across Greater Boston (synagogues, camps, youth movements, day schools, Hillels and more) 
  • Cost: $360 + flight to Israel (limited scholarships available) 
  • Timeframe: December 2025 – April 2026
    • Seminar Dates (subject to change – will be updated with locations upon acceptance to the Fellowship): December 1, December 10-11, January 20-21, March 24, April 28
    • Israel Immersive Experience: February 16-19, 2025

If you’ve been looking for the space to grow, connect, and get the support you need to lead Israel education with confidence, this is it.

Applications are due by November 5.

Questions? Reach out to Zach Goldberger and Brett Lubarsky. We’d love to talk more. 

Let’s build this together. Apply today!