The following bootcamp is being offered for classroom teachers in Jewish schools at a subsidized rate.
Other organizations, please email us at pd_inquiries@lookstein.org.
Virtual Bootcamp: The Essentials of Jewish History Instruction
Presented by: Naomi Schrager and Hyim Brandes
Memory is a critical part of our tradition, and also a powerful educational force as it provides an emotional, personal connection to the past. The academic study of history, on the other hand, is the reconstruction of the past based on factual evidence and primary sources. This bootcamp explores the relationship between memory and history, best practices in Jewish history instruction, and student-centered approaches. Hands-on workshops make up the bulk of the training program and give teachers the skills and tools they need in order to teach Jewish history in an engaging and creative way.
Program participants will explore and workshop:
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- Historical themes and significant trends in Jewish history
- Using primary and secondary sources
- Teaching with artifacts/arts
- Teaching historical thinking
- Using maps, timelines, and other tools effectively
- Teaching from multiple perspectives and through different lenses
This bootcamp is geared towards 7th-12th grade teachers in Jewish day schools. Graduates of the bootcamp will have the opportunity to participate in professional development on the topic of Jewish History. Write to us at info@lookstein.org with any questions or concerns.
Summer 2025 Bootcamp Schedule
Monday, June 23rd
Wednesday, June 25th
Monday, June 30th
Wednesday, July 2nd
Monday, July 7th
Wednesday, July 9th
Monday, July 14th
All Sessions will take place from 12:30 – 2:00 PM EST
Bootcamp Tuition:
Members: $382.50
Non-members: $425
To learn more about Lookstein Center membership visit www.lookstein.org/become-a-member/.
Previous participating schools include: Atlanta Jewish Academy, Berman Hebrew Academy, Bialik Hebrew Day School, deToledo, Hillel Yeshiva, Kohelet, Ma’ayanot, Maimonides School, Milken Community School, Naaleh High School, North Shore Hebrew Academy, and more.
“A must for any serious history teacher!”
~Jewish History Bootcamp Participant
“I loved every minute of it… [It was} groundbreaking for me. The concept of Memory gives me new language to discuss things with my students. Thank you for making me a more thoughtful history teacher!“
~Jewish History Bootcamp Participant
“I [am] a much stronger Jewish history teacher because of the bootcamp.“
~Jewish History Bootcamp Participant
“A well presented and engaging course that empowered me.”
~Jewish History Bootcamp Participant
Registration for Summer 2025 is now closed.
New Opportunity!
Click HERE to learn about
fully-subsidized study groups for bootcamp graduates.
Bootcamp Facilitators:
This bootcamp is facilitated by members of The Lookstein Center staff.
Naomi Schrager
Director of Education, Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy
Naomi Schrager is a veteran Jewish educator with more than two decades of experience in classroom instruction, informal education programming, and administration, and currently serves as Director of Education for Lookstein Virtual Jewish Academy. A long-time history lover, she has developed Jewish history curricula, designed and facilitated Professional Development in Jewish history instruction, and supervised its teaching in multiple classrooms, in multiple Jewish day schools. Since making aliyah, Naomi enjoys wandering the land where our national past and present intersect and watching her kids climb and play on antiquities.
Hyim Brandes
Director of Technology