Five Reasons to Join the Jewish Educators Assembly
The Jewish Educators Assembly (JEA) is the premier membership association for Conservative/Masorti education professionals!
Eligible members include education directors, early childhood education directors, youth directors, clergy-educators, university and seminary students, and teachers of supplementary (Hebrew) schools. Both full-time and part-time educators are welcome.
Reason #1: Excellent Professional Development Opportunities
The best educators are also learners! From our annual conference where we bring the brightest minds in Jewish education, to webinars on timely topics, to the New Directors’ Institute with USCJ, JEA offers a robust calendar of learning opportunities just for our members.
Reason #2: Instant Community of Jewish Educators Across North America and Israel
Members get access to our Facebook group of Jewish educators and virtual gatherings to ask questions and share ideas. We have a mentor pairing program so you can participate as a mentor, a mentee, or both! That’s not all - you also get access to consultations with Rabbi Robin Foonberg, our Executive Director and seasoned educator of 30 years.
Reason #3: Opportunity for New Accolades & Recognition
The only way to become a certified Conservative Jewish Educator (CJE) or qualify for the JTS Honorary Doctorate in Pedagogy is through membership in JEA! These accolades provide honor and elite status for educators in their current roles and beyond.
Reason #4: Access to Curriculum and Program Resources
Your membership also directly benefits your institution! JEA members get access to our time-proven curriculum and program resources, developed in partnership with JTS.
Reason #5: Retirement Benefits, Even if Your Shul Doesn’t Offer Them
Even if your employer doesn’t offer these benefits, the association does! JEA members who work for a federally-recognized nonprofit organization are eligible to enroll in life insurance and pension benefits through the Joint Retirement Board of Conservative Judaism. Your pension goes with you if you change jobs - it’s not dependent upon staying with one organization.
BONUS REASON #6: Career Growth with Job Placement & Recruitment Services
JEA provides members with job placement and recruitment services. Are you considering a job change? Looking to move to a new location? Do you want to work in a larger (or smaller) congregation? We can help you with your search! What are you waiting for? Join JEA today!
Have questions or need more information? Contact Rabbi Robin Foonberg at robin@jewisheducators.org.
Advancing professionalism:
We set standards for professional development in education and Jewish studies, and challenge our members to meet those standards. We advocate, both for the individual and for the profession - and are the official "voice" of educators within the Conservative Movement. We collect and disseminate information about best practices, as well as sponsor and encourage research, in Jewish education. We inspire people to become Jewish educators, and help them to succeed through formal coaching and mentoring. We ensure that Conservative schools are served by qualified professionals through a process of mentoring and career counseling.
Partnership & Leadership:
We actively partner with other Conservative movement organizations in order to promote our shared vision and facilitate the creation of new and creative educational models. We work with other movements and agencies to keep up with the latest methods and leadership strategies acting as the voices of professionals in Conservative Jewish education. We encourage and assist members in taking leadership roles and serving as role models in their own schools, communities, and beyond.
Pursuing lifelong learning:
We provide services, conferences, and programs to members, as well as encourage them to participate in both Jewish and professional learning experiences. We strive to create a passion for lifelong learning among members and all Conservative Jews. We nurture the intellectual and spiritual development of our members. After twenty-five years in the field, our members are granted an honorary doctorate from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Building community:
We support and connect Conservative Jewish educators through networking opportunities and technologies. We support building the greater Conservative community by encouraging its members to affiliate with and participate in activities of the Conservative movement. We contribute to the growth of local Jewish communities by encouraging our members to actively participate in the activities of their own communities. build greater connections with the Land of Israel, our colleagues in Israel, and all of "Klal Yisrael."