Philosophical-Educational Facilitation in Israeli Education
Why do we need philosophical-educational facilitators?
Education in Israel is provided in an extremely complex environment. There is no basic consensus regarding the subject matter, values or tasks that have to be accomplished within the system. Hence, the essence of the positive content of what it means to be Israeli is at times shrouded in fog. Although this has not prevented tremendous educational achievements from being made in fields ranging from high-tech to the arts, many Israeli educators are worried that, under the surface, the question: “what for?” is becoming quite hazy.
Educators in Israel sometimes express frustration with the idea that unless a bold attempt is made to cultivate an Israeli ethos, they may be preparing their graduates for self-fulfillment in a career abroad. Furthermore, in the absence of an educational ethos, Israeli society runs the risk of losing its solidarity and the ability to foster dialogue between different segments of society.
Based on several years of work in the educational arena, the Visions of Jewish Education Project (VJEP) staff contended with these challenges and offered a “Philosophical-Educational Facilitation” course catering to educational leaders, institutions and organizations.
The course was intended to improve the educational activity of participating organizations and institutions, to cultivate a dialogue on what it means "to be Israeli" thus encouraging Israeli pupils to delve deeply into Hebrew culture and social action. This was a pioneering attempt to contend with the lack of an Israeli educational ethos.
In planning the course, a deliberate attempt was made to include participants from heterogeneous institutions and organizations so as to enable cross-fertilization on all sides.
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For more information about “Philosophical-Educational Facilitation"
contact patiach@mli.org.il or telephone (+972-2-568-8838).