M2: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education

We’ve officially launched Yamim 2025: Reaching for Hope, gathering over 100 Jewish educators and professionals this week in Baltimore, Atlanta, and today, in Philadelphia. Next week, another 3 gatherings of Yamim 2025 will take place in Palo Alto, New York, and online. We’re honored to bring this initiative to so many communities—helping educators prepare for Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom HaZikaron while exploring how we shape time and meaning in a post-October 7th world. Each gathering has been a space to reflect, connect, and engage with a powerful framework for marking these days with depth and intention. Participants have learned and discussed how to reach for hope during this year’s Yamim using four core values––Humility, Kindness, Covenant, and Courage––uncovering new ways to bring meaningful programming to their communities. If you aren’t planning to join us in person, we invite you to our virtual Yamim training, featuring special guest Dr. Rachel Fish, on Monday, March 31, 9 AM–12 PM PT (11 AM–2 PM ET). ?? Register now! https://bit.ly/yamim2025 #experientialeducation #jewisheducation #jewishcommunity

Mabat 3 fellows gathered in Tel Aviv yesterday for a powerful Day of Learning. Through photography and discussion, fellows explored the tension between preservation and innovation—not just in theory, but as reflected in their surroundings. Against the backdrop of Sarona, a renewed Templar village, they examined how landscapes, architecture, and personal narratives hold both what we inherit and what we create anew. The discussion also extended to how these concepts apply to their personal lives and to the Pesach Seder, asking: Which traditions do we preserve, and where do we innovate? How does this balance shape our personal and communal experiences? #jewisheducation #learning #education #experientialeducation

Empower the Next Generation of Jewish Communal Leaders! Do you know a promising early-career professional in your Federation? We are launching the M2 Aleh Summit for Jewish Federation Professionals, a three-day immersive experience designed for early-career professionals in Jewish Federations of North America. The summit will strengthen their skills, expand their networks, and enhance their impact in Jewish communal work. ? Help spread the word—share this opportunity or encourage them to apply! ? ?? July 21-23, 2025 | Chicago Why Attend? ?? Motivate – Deepen their passion and commitment, recognizing their essential role in shaping the Jewish community. ?? Navigate – Equip them to engage thoughtfully in complex conversations on Israel, antisemitism, and communal divides through a Jewish values lens. ?? Cultivate – Provide them with the skills, tools, and connections needed to lead with confidence and impact. Help shape the future of Jewish communal leadership. Apply now or share this opportunity today! ?? https://lnkd.in/eAGrHP2y #experientialeducation #jewisheducation #leadership

? Last call to register for Yamim 2025: Reaching for Hope! Don’t miss this one-day immersive program designed to help Jewish educators and community leaders create meaningful, values-driven experiences for Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha’atzmaut, and other key moments in the Jewish calendar. ?? Happening in: Baltimore, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Palo Alto, and New York. ?? We’ve added a virtual session! Join us online for a 3-hour immersive experience. Apply now—whether you're new to Yamim or returning to deepen your learning and gain new resources.We look forward to learning together. ?? Register today! https://bit.ly/yamim2025 #JewishEducation #CommunityLeadership #Yamim2025

“I found this to be the most helpful professional development I have been to in years. The varied methods, the opportunity to really think about this moment and how we want to program the Yamim, and the thoughtful bank of resources were spot on.” After Yamim 2024, we surveyed over 500 participants—and the response was overwhelming, with expectations exceeded in practical skill-building, confidence, and collaboration. Now, we invite Jewish educators and community leaders to join us for Yamim 2025—a one-day immersive training in Baltimore, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Palo Alto, and New York, designed to help you approach Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha’atzmaut, and other key milestones with renewal, vision, and purpose. ??JUST ADDED: Can’t join us in person? Register for our 3-hour virtual session! Details in the link below. ?? Register today: https://bit.ly/yamim2025 #JewishEducation #Yamim2025 #ReachingForHope #CommunityLeadership

"For the past two days, I was fortunate to participate in the creation of a shared learning space which challenged me to better understand the moment I find myself in as an educator in a post-October 7 world. We journeyed beyond the cracks and went deeply into narratives, building resilience and a renewed lexicon, taking a beat to check-in with ourselves and each other." – Brett Lubarsky, the Director of Jewish Communal Life at CJP - Combined Jewish Philanthropies, shared his reflections after participating in Yated Boston last week.? In two sessions of Yated last week, cohorts in Boston and New York explored new frameworks and methodologies to foster resilience in their learners—while connecting with colleagues and supporting one another. "What a gift to be able to bring the Yated experience to our community," Brett reflected. Yated Boston Cohort is run in collaboration with CJP - Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Yated New York Cohort is run in collaboration with The Jewish Education Project, and proudly funded by UJA-Federation of New York. We are so grateful to these dedicated educators who took the time to be present and learn from one another, and to our local partners. #experientialeducation #jewisheducation #jewishcommunity

A week from today, Jews around the world will celebrate Purim—a holiday of resilience, courage, and identity. Queen Esther’s bravery in revealing her Jewish identity changed the course of history—turning fear into strength and ensuring the survival of her people. As we approach the holiday, how can we help our learners explore the connection between Jewish pride and Purim? Our Values in Action resource, "How do I express my Jewish pride?", invites meaningful conversation by examining Antisemitism through the lens of pride. Access the resource here: https://bit.ly/41HeBGO #experientialeducation #jewisheducation #jewishcommunity

M2’s newest fellows are shaping the future of Jewish education – and making headlines. Check out the recent coverage: Boulder Jewish News: “Stacey Aviva Flint Named a Jewish Education Fellow by M2 ” > https://bit.ly/3D6JR8I Jewish Standard: “Local Jewish educator Rabbi Meirav Kallush among M2 2025 Jewish education fellows” > https://bit.ly/3XvviT7 #experientialeducation #jewisheducation #jewishcommunity

The eighth cohort of our flagship program, Senior Educators Cohort, wraps up their first seminar today in Pearl River, NY, as fellows engaged with frameworks shaping experiential Jewish education. Through a blend of text study and reflective practice, participants took part in meaningful discussions and interactive learning. Fellows had the opportunity to experience the M2 pedagogy in action as they traveled to New York City’s iconic American Museum of Natural History. The exploratory afternoon at the museum centered around a program called “Invisible Threads: Revealing the unseen patterns that bind people, place, and time.” The program and activities within presented the museum as more than a mere collection of artifacts, but rather as a tapestry of stories waiting to unfold. One activity, “The Depths,” took fellows on a scavenger hunt, where they looked for examples of humility among interconnected ecosystems – and another activity, “The Refinery,” focused on the tensions between raw truth and polished intention, while examining polished and rough stones in the museum’s Gems and Minerals exhibition. A true highlight of the 5-day seminar, fellows got to experience the museum in an entirely new way, discovering fresh insights into how learning comes to life beyond the classroom. As they build a strong community of practice, fellows leave their first seminar with new insights and strategies to enrich their work. Already looking forward to Seminar #2! #experientialeducation #jewisheducation #jewishcommunity

Last week, our Cleveland Educators Cohort embarked on an immersive seminar in Israel, rooted in the values of Israel's Declaration of Independence. At a profoundly challenging time in Israel, fellows felt the power of being present—not only with Israelis navigating the complexities of war, but also with their own emotions. There were the moments we planned for, such as the deep discussions, immersive site visits, and powerful dialogues with Israeli M2 alumni. And then there were the moments we couldn’t plan for, like being in Israel when the devastating news broke about the Bibas family - whose emotional funerals we are all following closely today. It was in those unplanned moments that the trip’s meaning deepened, reminding us that being in Israel isn’t just about engaging with structured learning but also about being present in the raw, unfolding reality. Fellows sat with their emotions, processing in real-time what it means to witness history as it happens, and how, as educators, it is their role to help others navigate these complexities. In moments of pain, fellows discovered glimpses of hope, resilience, and connection. Through learning from Israeli peers who shared how they educate in times of crisis, fellows grappled with what it means to hold complexity and acknowledge grief while also seeking renewal and hope. As educators, we know that true learning isn’t about easy resolutions but about embracing the depth of the questions themselves. Throughout their journey, they paused to ask essential questions: What has changed, and what remains constant? How do we create shared spaces across divides? What does it mean to be part of a shared Jewish story, and what is our responsibility to one another? While we may have left with more questions than answers, this experience underscored the power of learning up close—of being present with people and places, witnessing complexity firsthand, and sitting together in the full range of our emotions. In a moment that demanded both courage and curiosity, we explored the values and tensions shaping Israel today and in the future. #experientialeducation #jewisheducation #jewishcommunity