Naava Frank

The Pew Research Center conducted a survey of a sampling of the Jewish American Community in 2013 that examined the question of Who Are We Now? The follow up analysis revealed the trend that the practice of Judaism in its various forms is declining. How might individuals, especially among the younger generation of Jews, be assisted to continue to re-connect to their Jewish identities? What are the models or experiences essential to the process of rebuilding and what goals might be… Show more

The Pew Research Center conducted a survey of a sampling of the Jewish American Community in 2013 that examined the question of Who Are We Now? The follow up analysis revealed the trend that the practice of Judaism in its various forms is declining. How might individuals, especially among the younger generation of Jews, be assisted to continue to re-connect to their Jewish identities? What are the models or experiences essential to the process of rebuilding and what goals might be defined?
The panel’s conversation will focus on what can provide critical foundations for re-building and maintaining a greater commitment and participation in Jewish life? And further, what place do religious or Jewish secular affiliations help us in that quest?
The panel’s speakers have considerable experience in both studying and interacting with these issues affecting the American Jewish community:
Rabbi Thomas Gardner, has recently assumed the pulpit at Riverdale Temple and is an experienced spiritual leader.

Dr. Jonathan Brent, is the executive director of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research that is dedicated to fostering knowledge of the Jewish cultural heritage and the ongoing story of Jewish life. The YIVO maintains significant archives of more than 25 million documents, photographs, and memorabilia that enrich its public programs and the study of scholars worldwide.

Professor Steven M. Cohen is a sociologist whose work focuses on the American Jewish community, particularly its recent Jewish past and present, with hope for a Jewish future. He is a research professor of Jewish Social Policy at the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in NY and director of the Berman Jewish Policy Archive at NYU’s Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Dr. Naava Frank is a nationally recognized expert in the use of communities of practice and networks in the Jewish community and an experienced consultant on organizational change. Show less

Facilitated workshop on Knowledge Management for the JEDLAB Network. What types of knowledge are created, shared and disseminated through JEDLAB. The importance of data, how to collect it and become researchers of our network. Tools, techniques and human resources.

This workshop is designed to look at what distributed leadership looks like in a networked nonprofit. In particular it will focus on how leaders often need to balance their own expertise with the principled decision to run a network that values all of its members.

Training Network Weaver for Digital J Learning Project funded by AVICHAI Foundation

Training and assessment in building their capacity to create knowledge sharing and run communities of practice among New Israel Staff working across the globe.

Coaching and Strategic Consulting for Director, Educator Networks at The Jewish Education Project

Led a cross-organizational team that planned and implemented the Hagigah, utilized professional networks to recruit participating organization. Spearhead the team to double the number of events and participating organizations in year two. Conceived a strategy leading to ongoing cost savings.

Key leadership for the successful startup and implementation of the project and it's growth from one to seven camps in three years. Currently serve on the project Steering Committee as the project transitions to its permanent home at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Create and monitor budgets and oversee compliance, working closely with the Vice President. Built relationships with foundation professionals across the country. Support the President in fundraising.
Designed and managed the… Show more

Key leadership for the successful startup and implementation of the project and it's growth from one to seven camps in three years. Currently serve on the project Steering Committee as the project transitions to its permanent home at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Create and monitor budgets and oversee compliance, working closely with the Vice President. Built relationships with foundation professionals across the country. Support the President in fundraising.
Designed and managed the initial two years of the project: Recruited, vetted and selected grantee camps and conducted oversight site visits. Designed and implemented training for camp staff; managed a team of three mentors; contracted with and oversaw evaluators and language experts. Build tracking and reporting systems and solved problems. Utilized technology to document and share learning resulting in increased effectiveness and reducing costs of training, coming in under budget for training. Show less

Led a team that developed a project plan and shared vision for grades 1-4 supplementary curriculum. Conceived a strategy and led team to adapt an innovative new technology platform that streamlines curriculum development and collaboration. Supervise project staff.

Member of the Operating Partners Leadership team of this rapidly growing innovative project that is successfully utilizing Design Thinking. Co-authored project plan and budget, took a lead in vetting and hiring Executive, designed the Executive Director evaluation instrument.

Consultation with the National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness creating online communities of practice for this national intermediary with local chapters in the 50 states.

Interim Digital Media Coordinator for Digital J Learning Network. Bringing Online and Blended Learning to Jewish Day Schools in North America.

Trained and coached community facilitators. During my tenure there were close to 1000 teachers learning online in three overlapping communities of practice.

Train and support community of practice facilitator in launch of Baltimore based community of practice for professionals working to engage Jewish families with young children. Project was called a national model by Dr. Mark Rosen, National Expert in the Education of Young Children and their Families.

This project funded by the Covenant Foundation brought together Jewish professionals from diverse Jewish organizations to gain support, continue to grow their skills and strengthen their practice of community of practice facilitations