MediaMidrash Finds a Home with Behrman House

Written by Vicki Weber, RJE, 08 of September, 2011

MediaMidrash, the pioneering online platform that lets educators bring Jewish-themed art, animation, film, and music directly into their classrooms, has found a new home with Behrman House. Beginning immediately, the MediaMidrash library of compelling Judaic curricular content is available through Behrman House’s partner site, Babaganewz. 

“We are delighted that MediaMidrash founders Russel Neiss and Rabbi Charlie Schwartz chose Behrman House,” said Rabbi Mark Levine, Executive Editor of Behrman House. “We are already building on these fabulous resources and will make sure they stay available for Jewish educators and their students.”

“When Charlie and I started MediaMidrash two years ago,” said Mr. Neiss, “we could have never imagined the positive reaction and growth of the site over such a short time. We're happy to be transferring the site to Behrman House as it will give the application the room and attention it needs to grow, and will allow us more time to continue collaborating on various projects like PocketTorah and other innovative Jewish educational endeavors.”

In a similar agreement with the AVI CHAI FOUNDATION nearly two years ago, Behrman House became home to Babaganewz, a values, ethics, and holidays resource for middle school teachers and students. “We think this is a perfect fit,” said Rabbi Levine. “Educators are now able to rely on Behrman House to find multi-media materials and lesson plans. We will be a one-stop resource for the Jewish educator who wants access to the most innovative and engaging materials available.”

The Babaganewz and MediaMidrash resource libraries, as well as a variety of other sources, will be key features of the Online Learning Center that Behrman House is currently testing in advance of a launch in early 2012. Educators and teachers registered in the Online Learning Center will be able to find and download videos, photos, music, and lesson plans, combine them with other material, comment on them, and post them for students to use.

“People have been talking for years about remaking Jewish supplementary education,” said Behrman House President David Behrman. “The Behrman House Online Learning Center is a tangible step towards just that goal. It’s a powerful and dynamic tool we can use to help our children grow into literate, engaged Jews.”

MediaMidrash links are indexed and searchable by subject, including Israel, holidays, Tanakh, culture, beliefs/theology and life events. Many links are accompanied by lesson plans to help educators introduce and frame the material for their students. Teachers will have one-click access right from the Babaganewz home page by clicking on the MediaMidrash button in the navigation bar.

Founded in 1921 by Louis Behrman, Behrman House is the leading publisher of educational materials for Jewish supplementary schools throughout North America. The company creates a broad variety of print and multi-media Hebrew and Judaic materials to support and promote active participation and deep engagement in Jewish life and learning. Find it at www.behrmanhouse.com, or subscribe to the Berhman House eNewsletter ! to stay on top of the latest innovations in Jewish education today.

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