Jewish School Leaders Convene in Munich to Address Education and Tradition

Munich recently hosted a gathering of headmasters from Jewish schools across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, fostering a collaborative environment for sharing experiences and addressing the evolving challenges in Jewish education. The multi-day exchange, held at the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, brought together nearly two dozen leaders from cities including Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart, Vienna, and Zurich.

A Tradition of Collaboration

These meetings have been a regular occurrence since 2014, providing a crucial platform for Jewish school leaders to connect and learn from one another, with a temporary pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. The forum aims to strengthen Jewish educational practices and ensure the continuity of Jewish tradition in the German-speaking world.

Local Approaches and National Importance

This year’s event was hosted by the Sinai All-Day Elementary School, under the leadership of Miriam Braun. It marked Braun’s third participation in the forum and her first as host. Braun emphasized the importance of showcasing Munich’s unique approaches to Jewish education and utilizing local resources. Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde München und Oberbayern (IKG), welcomed the school management and underscored the vital role of Jewish schools in preserving Jewish identity. “The best possible preservation of Jewish schools remains the central task for the Jewish communities in the German-speaking area – given that the future of Jewish existence in this country depends on it to a large extent,” Knobloch stated.¹

Knobloch further highlighted that Jewish education extends beyond mere knowledge transfer, emphasizing the need to instill a strong sense of Jewish identity and appreciation for tradition, particularly in challenging times. She described the Jewish community as a “Trutzburg – not Wagenburg,” signifying a fortress of resilience rather than a vulnerable encampment.

Focus on Contemporary Challenges and Innovative Methods

The forum included a series of training courses and workshops designed to equip school leaders with the tools to address contemporary challenges. Anat Borowski, a parent and couple counselor, led a session on supporting children and families affected by war experiences, a prevalent issue in many Jewish schools. Additional workshops were organized in collaboration with the European Janusz Korczak Academy.

Jonas Mages presented digital methods for enhancing Jewish educational work, exploring how technologies like virtual learning environments and virtual reality (VR) glasses can create engaging learning experiences, particularly for topics like Shabbat. A workshop likewise addressed the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), teaching participants how to identify AI-generated content, recognize hidden anti-Semitic symbolism, and guide students in using AI tools critically.

Innovative Projects and a Strong Foundation

The Sinai Elementary School showcased its self-developed “Shabbat Show,” a play that annually presents stories from the Tanakh through dance, Israeli music, and prayer, integrating religious and Hebrew lessons. Braun reported that the show has successfully engaged the entire school community in religious topics. The overarching goal remains to provide students with a solid Jewish foundation, empowering them to “know their roots and be able to nurture the seeds that we plant themselves.”

¹ Israelitische Kultusgemeinde München und Oberbayern