GW Collaboratory Advances Jewish History, Identity Instruction in Non-Jewish Schools to Combat Antisemitism

Researcher Ashley Woo highlights gaps in Jewish history and identity curricula

Last week, Mayberg Foundation Managing Director Amanda Mizrahi and Director of Marketing and Communications Rina Schiff joined Jewish educators, researchers, and community leaders for the Network for Jewish Identity & History in K-12 Education Convening at George Washington University. The conference was hosted by our partner, the Mayberg Center at GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development, which is part of The Collaboratory: A Center for Jewish Education.

The convening brought participants together for research-driven discussions and a focused examination of the Jewish Identity & History in K-12 Education Framework. This framework was created to address significant gaps in how Jewish history, identity, antisemitism, and Israel are taught in non-Jewish K-12 school settings. Its purpose is to provide educators and funders with a shared roadmap for high-quality, age-appropriate instruction that can help combat rising antisemitism and foster deeper understanding among all students – an increasingly urgent need since October 7th. The event also sought to cultivate a community where professional development providers, curriculum developers, and other stakeholders collaborate, share resources, and support one another in advancing their shared goals.

Keynote presentations highlighted current challenges and substantial gaps in curricula related to teaching Jewish history and identity that were identified through both quantitative and qualitative research, and addressing antisemitism in public schools. The agenda featured collaborative working sessions designed to build a strong network of educators and organizational partners committed to improving K-12 public school instruction on Jewish history and identity nationwide. By centering scholarship, collaboration, and actionable planning, the convening advanced shared efforts to combat antisemitism by equipping public school educators with best practices and tools for providing meaningful, age-appropriate instruction on Jewish history and identity.

“The Foundation is pleased to see an ecosystem developing in this important area,” said Rachel Mohl Abrahams, the Mayberg Foundation’s senior advisor for education grants and programs. By networking professional development providers in the same field, the Collaboratory is facilitating the sharing of best practices. All the projects improve by learning from each other.”