Jewish Food Education Network

Do you eat food?  Then please read this!

For 3,000 years, Jewish tradition has grappled with what is fit—kosher—for us to eat. Today, questions about food have become ever more complicated as we come up against changing nutritional news, the use of chemical pesticides, and industrial farming.  Health issues such as obesity and environmental damage are intrinsically connected to our personal and national food choices.  Hazon offers resources, curricula, and training about food and Jewish tradition in our new network: JFEN—Jewish Food Education Network!

To join JFEN, click here.

For students:
The Min Ha’Aretz Student Curriculum: An 18-lesson interdisciplinary curriculum about food and Jewish tradition for students (typically grades 5-9). The 170-page curriculum includes unit plans, teaching strategies and framing for text study and discussions, as well as student worksheets.  Min Ha’Aretz combines experiential learning with study of classical Jewish texts and topics in health, nutrition, recycling, and the environment.  Lessons include hands-on learning activities, chevruta and group study, class discussion, independent writing, and homework options.  For use in day schools, supplementary/congregational schools, and camps.

For families:
The Min Ha’Aretz Family Education Curriculum: Step-by-step guides and handouts for family education events focusing on food and Jewish tradition.  Curriculum includes planning materials, text study materials and group activities for (1) family learning/cooking evening on-site at school; (2) family farm visit; and (3) farmers’ market visit. Family programming is for use in conjunction with the Min Ha’Aretz student curriculum or as enrichment programming for families in many settings (synagogue, JCC, Hebrew school).

For adults:
Food for Thought: Hazon’s 130-page Sourcebook on Jews, Food, and Contemporary Life offers traditional Jewish texts, in Hebrew and English, and contemporary Jewish and non-Jewish texts. With discussion questions and activity suggestions, this sourcebook is accessible to people with little Jewish background as well as rigorous and challenging for those with more extensive Jewish learning.

For educators:
Hazon offers Training in Jewish Food Education.  Monthly phone conference training makes it possible for educators throughout North America to bring Jewish Food Education to their communities.  Training topics include: teaching the Min Ha’Aretz student and family curricula; tailoring Jewish food education to your educational environment, getting parents and families involved in your program; developing adult education formats to engage your busy community.  Training is appropriate for teachers, rabbis, rabbinical students, and administrators in formal and informal education settings. Educator training is also available at the annual Hazon Food Conference: December 24-27,2009 at the Asilomar Conference and Retreat Center in Pacific Grove, CA. 

Tap into the passion about food and the environment in your community. 
Use food as a platform for innovative Jewish education.
Join JFEN—Jewish Food Education Network!

Click here to join JFEN.

Member benefits:

Min Ha’Aretz

• Receive print and electronic versions of BOTH student and family curricula.
• Includes comprehensive teacher version and student handouts.
• Marketing templates: sample program flyers and sample letters to explain the program to your parent community.
• Student and parent feedback templates: evaluation forms to capture feedback from program participants.

Food for Thought

• Receive one print copy and an electronic version of Food for Thought sourcebook.
• Discount on price for additional print copies: $22.00 for 1-10 copies; $18.00 for 11-20 copies; $15 for >20 copies (regular price = $25/copy)

Teacher Training

• Participate via phone in training sessions held 10x/year (every month except December and July).  Learn from master teachers and leaders in the Jewish food movement and get connected with other educators.

JFEN Listserv

• Swap ideas, get help, and find out the latest news on the listserv for Jewish food educators.
• Be the first to receive new teaching materials and resources developed by Hazon.
• Share YOUR best teaching materials – and be a leader in the Jewish education field!

Speakers Bureau
Hazon will connect your community with a dynamic educator.  Fees vary for these programs and are not included in membership fee.

• Food for Thought Beit Midrash series or Scholar-in-Residence weekend
• How to start a Tuv Ha’Aretz Community-Supported Agriculture Program (CSA)
• How to incorporate gardening/farming in your Jewish food education program
• Cooking demonstrations and nutrition workshops

Membership:         

$450 (organizations $1million+)
$300 (organizations up to $1million)
$180 (individuals)

To join JFEN, click here. For more information contact Natasha on 212-644-2332 x316 or natasha@hazon.org