20 | AUGUST 8 • 2024 J N L ater this month, Adamah Detroit, a Jewish envion- mental group, is launch- ing the “Jewish Environmental Education Cohort. ” The cohort will offer a com- prehensive, enriching experi- ence designed to deepen par- ticipants’ connection to Jewish environmental education and empower them with the tools and inspiration to integrate environmental stewardship into their classrooms, camps and Jewish institutional life more broadly. Carly Silverman, Adamah Detroit’s community engage- ment manager, says the cohort is for anyone who creates edu- cational experiences or works within the community, includ- ing educators in day schools and camps and rabbis and directors of community engage- ment at other institutions. Last year, Adamah Detroit offered one full day of training. This year, its cohort model will provide a yearlong learning experience and deepen the impact for the participants. Major program highlights include four quarterly in-per- son training and professional development sessions modeling experiential instruction rooted in Jewish environmental values. The cohort launches Sunday, Aug. 18, with a flagship event — a full-day training held at the Stage Nature Center in Troy. The day will be filled with immersive learning experiences and interactive workshops, cul- minating in a deep dive into the connections between Judaism and the natural world. Participants will leave with inspiration and confidence to integrate Jewish and environ- mental content into their pro- grams, a better understanding of the intersection of Judaism and ecology, and a feeling of connection to other educators with similar values. A kosher lunch will be provided. For educators who participat- ed in last year’s full-day training, there will be an afternoon-only option with distinctive break- out sessions crafted to enhance immersion in various facets of Jewish environmental learning. Three additional in-person sessions will take place on the afternoons of Sunday, Nov. 17; Sunday, March 30, 2025; and Sunday, May 18, 2025. These sessions will explore key themes and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration. Another program highlight is a monthly email newsletter for participants. Throughout the year, participants will receive the newsletter packed with resources, curriculum materials and inspiration tailored to the season. These resources will support ongoing learning and provide fresh ideas for inte- grating Jewish environmental education into programs and teachings. Another program highlight cohort members is the oppor- tunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with Adamah educa- tors to workshop curriculum ideas, brainstorm programming strategies and receive personal- ized support tailored to specific needs and goals. Silverman says the overall ambition for the cohort is to inspire educators to bring a sense of environmental con- sciousness into their teaching and community involvement. “Our long-term goal is to create this ripple effect where educators who participate in the cohort go on to influence their students or colleagues in the broader community, ” Silverman says. “We want to equip them with tools and inspiration so they feel empowered to imple- ment sustainable practices and environmental awareness and make that integral into Jewish education. “We hope to help them with their curriculum development, camp programming, commu- nity initiatives. Whatever it is they’re working on, we hope to see this integration of this value into what they do. ” Registration for Adamah Detroit’s 2024-2025 Jewish Environmental Education Cohort is now open. Two slid- ing scale registration prices are being offered. Learn more and register at adamah.org/event/ jewishenvironmentaledco- hort-24-25/. Jewish Environmental Education is the Focus Adamah offers programs including quarterly in-person training and professional development sessions. DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER OUR COMMUNITY PHOTOS COURTESY ADAMAH DETROIT Adamah Detroit staff Julia Cunnien and Carly Silverman during a training session Educators gather for discussion in the woods during the 2023 training day.