Interview with Shoshana Rosen about her experience at Tel Aviv University, work with Young Judaea, Matan, and Hillel.

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Rosen, Nathan
From: Nathan Rosen [nathan.rosen@rcn.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 7:55 PM
To: Rosen, Nathan
Subject: FW: Lainer Alumni Newsletter
From: Shoshana Rosen [mailto:shoshana.h.rosen@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:21 PM
To: Nathan Rosen; Priva Simon
Subject: Fwd: Lainer Alumni Newsletter
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dena Stein <dwstein@jesna.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 20, 2012 at 4:30 PM
Subject: Lainer Alumni Newsletter
To: shoshana.h.rosen@gmail.com
Lainer Links
June 20, 2012
30 Sivan 5772
In this issue...
Alumni Good and Welfare
Alumni in the Field: Jen Vegh
What's New?
Q & A with Lainer-Masa Fellow: Shoshana Rosen
Spotlight: A Moment to Remember

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thoughts! Either email Dena Stein or post on our facebook page.
Q & A with Lainer-Masa Fellow:
Shoshana Rosen
Name: Shoshana Rosen
Hometown: New York, NY
School: University of Maryland
In Israel: Tel Aviv University
Why did you decide to study in Israel?
I love Israel, the land, our history, and our people. I wanted to deepen my
connection to Israel, to strengthen my understanding and appreciation, to develop
friendships and, in a small way, to make a contribution. I had previously visited
Israel with my family and went on the Nesiya summer program, where American and
Israeli teenagers from diverse backgrounds journey together, but each experience led
me to quest for more. I wanted to go to see what it would be like to live there for 5
months, to start to build a community and roots. What a joy, to wake up, learn and
live each day, and go to sleep, in Israel.
What led you to apply for the Lainer-Masa Fellowship for Jewish Education?
As soon as I heard about the Fellowship, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. It
sounded like such an amazing opportunity to talk about and expand my understanding
of the goals and methods of Jewish education. I have taken what I learned
everywhere I go. I always had this little spark that said "maybe you would like being a
Jewish educator" and the Fellowship helped that spark to grow, and the more I spend
time in the field, the more that spark lights my days.
What experience do you have in Jewish education?
Previously, I worked at Young Judea, as a counselor and then as a unit head.
As part of Hillel, I organized monthly lectures, and gave divrei torah. This year, I am
fortunate to serve as head teacher for a class of six year olds with special needs at a
local Hebrew School that is run by Matan, an organization that has made wonderful
innovations and contributions and strives to provide a Jewish education for every
child. I created and implemented a creative, interactive curriculum. Most of my

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students have never been able to find a community where they and their families
feel welcome, comfortable, and treasured. This is the first time these children have
had an opportunity to learn about Judaism in a way that meets their needs and draws
from their strengths. I love the privilege, challenge and joy of teaching. Few things
compare to seeing it on their faces when they finally understand why we eat challah
on Shabbat. Or when they take home their challah covers and share what they made
with their typically developing siblings who also made challah covers in Hebrew
school and together they share a meaningful Shabbat.
Describe an interesting experience you had in Israel.
When I studied at Tel Aviv University, I volunteered at a special needs after
school program that served Israeli children and teenagers with multiple and severe
disabilities. The school's administration and teachers were very welcoming and
supportive. Drawing from them and my own education, training and experience, I
developed and implemented individual curriculum and activities to meet the unique
needs and skills of each of the students. Working with the students, teachers and
parents, and seeing the workings of the school and legal system, were all very
meaningful for me and extremely challenging - and it was all in Hebrew! But it was so
eye opening for me.
Spotlight: A Moment to
Remember
This video, which came out around Yom HaShoah, was produced by a
Pardes student and carries with it a powerful message about the role
that studying the Holocaust plays in our lives today.
My Child, The Holocaust Denier
Spotlight: Lainer-Masa Fellowship
Alumni Gather in NYC