The Lookstein Centers UK Jewish Education Initiative: Enhancing Quality, Enriching Knowledge.

In 1998, at the invitation of its UK Friends, Bar-Ilan University’s Lookstein Centre for Jewish Education in the Diaspora arrived on the British scene, bringing with them a proven track record of creative training and programming in Jewish schools around the world.

The goal: to catalyze a new era a renaissance — of Jewish learning in the country’s day schools by enhancing the standards of Jewish education in general, and Jewish Studies
programmes in particular.

The aspiration: to actively engage and involve the community, its Head teachers, Heads of limudei kodesh, classroom teachers, parents and children alike, in creative and innovative programming designed to enrich the learning experience, from planning and curriculum development, to advanced teaching techniques and technological vehicles.

The Lookstein Fellowship Programme for Senior Jewish Educators. A 30 month undertaking conducted in the UK and in Israel developed in cooperation with the AJE. The programme provides in-depth practical training for Heads of Jewish Studies departments in primary and secondary schools. Through lectures and the use of advanced distance learning technology, as well as supervised practical work designed to improve the educators ability to implement self-identified goals within their home schools.

Classroom Teacher Professional Development Programme. Almost half of the Jewish Studies teachers in England have participated in the annual teacher training seminars of the Lookstein UK Jewish Education Initiative, and there are plans to expand the programme still further. These London-based meetings are organised around different themes each year. Past topics have included Teaching Torah Texts in the Jewish Studies Classroom, Curriculum Development in Jewish Studies and Integration of Jewish and General Studies.

Making the Connection: The Gradel Distance Learning Forum
“I raised my hand in my classroom in London, and the teacher
called on me from the Bar-Ilan campus in Israel. It was brilliant!”
8th grade student, Hasmonean High School

This project was inspired by David Gradel of London and is being supported by his generosity. Using advanced teleconference technology; students in London and Manchester can now have the exciting experience of interacting with master teachers in Israel in real time. Distance learning is now successfully established in five schools King Solomon, Immanuel College, Hasmonean Boys and Hasmonean Girls in London, and King David School in Manchester. This programme has expanded recently to include teacher-training
programmes for Immanuel College and Hasmonean schools.

From the introduction of a new lesson plan in a particular classroom to the implementation of countrywide directives, the Lookstein Centre’s guidance has been instrumental in the creation of an educational culture in which change and growth are paramount.

Lookstein Committee:

Mr. David S. Cohen – Chairman

Dr. (Hon) David Gradel – BFBIU
Rabbi Eli Kohn – Lookstein Centre
Mr. Jeffrey Leader – AJE
Dr. (Hon) Conrad J Morris – BFBIU
Prof. Stuart Zweiter – Lookstein Centre