Jewish Placemaking
A Third Path for Jewish Education
Jewish Placemaking empowers educators to create joyful, rigorous, and accessible Jewish learning for today’s families.
Explore Educator PathwaysWhat is Jewish Placemaking?
Jewish Placemaking shapes Makom Community. Jewish Placemaking is Makom’s unique pedagogy, a practice of teaching and learning that meets twenty-first-century families where they are and creates deep and broad access to Jewish tradition and community for learners. It shapes all aspects of Makom: how the physical space – the “place” – itself is structured and presented, communication with parents and kiddos, how information is shared with broader stakeholders, and so on. Our pedagogy is rooted in Five Ideals – Self-Confidence, Empathy, Jewish Wisdom, Rigor, and Access – and is designed to meet learners where they are and guide them into Jewish life with joy and purpose.
Why It Matters
Challenge: Declining Engagement
Jewish Placemaking reconnects families by creating joyful, relevant, and rigorous Jewish learning experiences.
The evolution of and challenges to enrollment are well summarized in, “From Census to Possibilities Designing Pathways for Jewish Learners” (The Jewish Education Project, April 2023).
Read the CensusChallenge: Limited Time & Mixed Priorities
Jewish Placemaking meets learners where they are, balancing schedules with deep content and camp-like joy.
Makom is in community with the new American Jewish family, which is characterized by greater ethnic and religious diversity, increased diversity of family structure, and less traditional affiliation. For the texture and data supporting these claims, see: “Understanding the Aspirations of Jewish Families Today and the Parenting Challenges They Face” (Rosov Consulting, January 2025).
Read the StudyChallenge: Educator Growth
Jewish Placemaking opens new professional pathways and tools for lasting impact.
If one is to take seriously the Jewish education of students outside of day schools (most American Jewish children and families), “a critical mass of organizations and individuals aligned and working effectively” is needed to comprise the field. For more information about field development see, “The Strong Field Framework: A Guide and Toolkit for Funders and Nonprofits Committed to Large-Scale Impact” (Bridgespan Group, 2009).
Read about the Jewish Education ProfessionProfessional Opportunities
Residency
Learn MoreTrain in Philadelphia’s Learning Lab for two years and become a certified Jewish Placemaking Educator. Applications are open starting January 6, 2026. The priority deadline is February 9, 2026 and the final deadline is February 23, 2026. The job description is here.
Practicum
Apply TodayMakom Community is launching our first practicum cohort! This cohort of educators will begin their journey towards certification as Jewish Placemaking Educators.
This opportunity is intended for individuals with 3-5+ years of experience in a full-time educational leadership role who want to become certified Jewish Placemaking Educators, but are not able to relocate to Philadelphia to learn within our Learning Lab. Learn more here & applications open on Monday, 2/2.
Makom Magic: Jewish Placemaking Conference
Register TodayMakom Community’s conference is back and in our new Learning Lab in Philadelphia! This year’s theme is Makom Magic: The Connective Power of Jewish Wisdom. You will experience the rigor and access that Makom brings to teaching text, and the magic and joy of Makom learning.
Join us Tuesday, May 27, from 9:30 AM to Wednesday, May 28, at 2:30 PM at our state-of-the-art Learning Lab at 2401 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146. More information and how to register is here.
Impact & Testimonials
“The time I spent with the Jewish Placemaking series was invaluable and energizing. We not only discussed how to make classroom/programmatic shifts, but also how to make systemic changes and get the buy-in needed from stakeholders to make sure there is support at all levels, allowing for experimentation and lasting change. I highly recommend this series for anyone who is looking to make Judaism meaningful, and real, for today’s learners.”
– Karli A., Colorado Education Director
“Learning with Makom was helpful, inspiring, and empowering. I loved getting to see not only the what and why behind Makom’s placemaking model, but also the how. It gave me a lot of ideas to think about with not only curriculum, but with the structure and culture of the whole school. Being with a group of committed Jewish educators across the country and getting to share common frustrations and successes helped me get a larger picture for some of the challenges and wins I have in my own community, and the ability to brainstorm with like-minded individuals is priceless.”
– Allison R., Philadelphia Education Director
Thought Leadership & National Reach
Makom Community shares Jewish Placemaking at national conferences, through publications, and by training educators across North America.
Join the Movement
Be part of the future of Jewish education with Jewish Placemaking.
Become a Resident Educator Join our Practicum Bring Jewish Placemaking to My School