Master Class in Jewish Spirituality Draws Strong Engagement from Educators

The master class on Jewish spirituality, led earlier this year by Mayberg Foundation partner Rabbi David Aaron in collaboration with The Lookstein Center, has garnered significant attention and positive feedback from educators across the Jewish educational landscape. Designed as a deep dive into faith, practice, and connection to the Divine, the series invited educators to explore questions such as the meaning of faith and God, ways to inspire Hashem consciousness, and how to make Torah study and prayer more meaningful in the classroom.

The Lookstein Center reported high engagement throughout the sessions, with participants expressing strong interest in the spiritual themes. Educators varied in their focus: some were eager to absorb the foundational ideas, while others, more comfortable with the material, concentrated on practical ways to bring these insights into their teaching.

The series was offered in a hybrid format, with participants able to join a full-day workshop in Greenwich, Connecticut, or attend online sessions. This approach broadened access and drew educators from a diverse range of schools and regions. About half of registrants chose to watch recordings rather than attend live Zoom sessions, likely due to the timing during school hours and concerns about the convenience of the in-person location. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many suggesting that alternative formats or scheduling could further increase live participation in the future.

This master class has strengthened the conversation around Jewish spirituality in education and provided actionable tools for educators to enrich their classrooms with deeper meaning and connection.