Shalom L’Kulam,
I just joined this group, and I wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little about some of the projects I am working on. My name is Eric Chafetz and I am a graduate student at Hebrew College in Boston, MA. I am working towards a Masters degree in Jewish Education with a strong focus both on early childhood education and inclusive education. Aside from my studies I am also involved in an exciting and unique program at the school called HIER. HIER is an acronym for Hebrew College Inclusive Education Roundtable.
HIER is a “think-and-act” tank (TAAT) building the field and engaging the complex set of players and issues to shape a vision and build capacity for including all learners in Jewish Education. We operate under the goal of responding to the Jewish community’s need and desire for a more sophisticated, coherent, and comprehensive “system” of high quality Jewish Education, inclusive of all children. “Inclusion” is a keystone for quality and transformation, and we recognize that we are poised at a “tipping point” for progress. We pursue “inclusion” as a strategic, ethical, and moral imperative.
I am writing in the hope that this Jedchange group will be able to help get the word out on a very important international search just launched to hire the Korman Chair in Inclusive Education at Hebrew College. This endowed professor provides academic and entrepreneurial leadership, vision, and scholarship for our Center for Inclusive Jewish Education and serves as a core faculty member of our Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education. The Korman Chair will teach and mentor graduate students, build and sustain partnerships with academic and community-based organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of Jewish education for diverse learners including children with special needs, and innovate professional development systems and services. Please nominate qualified individuals for the position, and please post the information on any appropriate list-serves or networks.

For your review and consideration I am attaching both a copy of the HIER one-sheet, as well as a copy of the job description for the Korman Chair. I’m looking forward to being part of this jedchange group.