Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- About the Mandel Foundation
- Introduction
- Part I The Visions Project
- Part II Visions in Detail
- Introduction
- 4 What Must a Jew Study – and Why?
- Supplement: Isadore Twersky
- 5 Jewish Studies in Israel from a Liberal-Secular Perspective
- Supplement: Menachem Brinker
- 6 We Were as Those Who Dream: An Agenda for an Ideal Jewish Education
- Supplement: Moshe Greenberg
- 7 Reflections on the Educated Jew from the Perspective of Reform Judaism
- Supplement: Michael A. Meyer
- 8 Educated Jews: Common Elements
- Supplement: Michael Rosenak
- 9 The Concept of the Educated Person: With Some Applications to Jewish Education
- Supplement: Israel Scheffler
- Part III Visions in Context
- Conclusion: The Courage to Envision
- The Visions Project: Participants and Forums
- Index
Supplement: Michael A. Meyer
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 January 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- About the Mandel Foundation
- Introduction
- Part I The Visions Project
- Part II Visions in Detail
- Introduction
- 4 What Must a Jew Study – and Why?
- Supplement: Isadore Twersky
- 5 Jewish Studies in Israel from a Liberal-Secular Perspective
- Supplement: Menachem Brinker
- 6 We Were as Those Who Dream: An Agenda for an Ideal Jewish Education
- Supplement: Moshe Greenberg
- 7 Reflections on the Educated Jew from the Perspective of Reform Judaism
- Supplement: Michael A. Meyer
- 8 Educated Jews: Common Elements
- Supplement: Michael Rosenak
- 9 The Concept of the Educated Person: With Some Applications to Jewish Education
- Supplement: Israel Scheffler
- Part III Visions in Context
- Conclusion: The Courage to Envision
- The Visions Project: Participants and Forums
- Index
Summary
The task of Jewish education, in Michael Meyer's view, is to help Jews find their way through complex contemporary realities while maintaining a vibrant Jewish identity. Meyer bases his vision of Jewish education on tenets of “classical” liberal Jewish thought even as he advocates significant change. His scholarship on the history of modern Jewish identity, religion, and education illuminates the accepted approach to Jewish education in the Reform movement while highlighting the innovative elements in his vision. For example, whereas Reform Jewish education has stressed freedom in decision making, Meyer believes that children should be inducted into Judaism from the earliest age in order to establish a basis for their crafting of Jewish beliefs and practices as adults. In contrast to the traditional Reform emphasis on the universal aspects of Jewish religious and social ideals, Meyer argues for a focus on “where Judaism differs.” Furthermore, while most Reform education takes place in the synagogue and afternoon school, Meyer makes a case for a greater emphasis on the home, day school, and summer camp. In addition to the study of Jewish holidays and the Bible, Meyer insists on instruction in ritual practice and the study of halakhah (Jewish law) and Jewish history.
Meyer's views articulate an emerging voice within the Reform movement, but one that has not become mainstream. Convinced that these educational ideas were critical for the future of the Reform movement he pressed for an opportunity to convene Reform educators so that they might consider his proposals.
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- Chapter
- Information
- Visions of Jewish Education , pp. 162 - 177Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2003