reunited and it feels so good...


Dear Reader, friend and fellow educator,

It’s hard to believe—it’s been five months since my last message to you. I’ve truly missed connecting with this incredible community. Though I’ve been quiet, please know that not a week has gone by without me thinking about all of you—the passionate, creative educators who care deeply about weaving Jewish learning and general studies together in meaningful ways.

This vision—to build a collective of like-minded Jewish educators who bring depth, curiosity, and connection into their classrooms—still burns brightly for me. I’m more invested than ever in helping us explore how Judaic content can align with general studies standards and skills, and how general studies can be illuminated through a Jewish lens.

The pause these past months has given me time to reflect, dream, and reimagine how we can grow this space together. And now—it’s time to bring the conversation back to life.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing new resources, classroom ideas, and collaborative opportunities designed to help us elevate Jewish education in ways that are creative, relevant, and inspiring.

Thank you for sticking with me and believing in this vision. I look forward to reconnecting and continuing to build this kehillah (community) with you.


With gratitude and excitement,

Frannie

Founder, Menschenables

P.S. I’d love to hear from you—what are you working on in your classroom this season? Hit reply and let’s start the conversation again.


Menschenables

After 30 years in Jewish education, I saw how challenging it was for teachers to meet standards while also bringing Judaic content to life. That’s why I create classroom resources that make it simple to integrate the two. It means teachers feel confident, and students connect more deeply. Menschenables is a community of Jewish educators seeking creative and engaging ways to infuse learning standards and skills into Judaic content and enhance the general studies content with Jewish connections. Every week, you will receive tips, support, lesson ideas, and so much more! Want to further enhance your lessons? Sign up for the Kehillah Classroom Collective to receive a monthly ready-to-download, print, and teach resource with a meaningful accompanying lesson plan, insightful tips, and classroom-tested ideas.

Read more from Menschenables

Do you believe in luck, Reader? I’ve been lucky a time or two. Like scoring my new job! A couple of months ago, I was really missing being in the classroom and spending time with Jewish kids. Then the most remarkable opportunity came along: to be Director of Education at a very small congregation. (This is the main reason I have been MIA lately.) I feel pretty lucky to be back with students and teachers. As I said, the congregation is very small. We only have 16 students in our Sunday...

Gather Supplies and Double Check Equipment BEFORE the Lesson Begins

Hello Reader, Have you ever been standing in front of your students with a well-planned, dynamic lesson only to discover that the projector isn't working? Step 2 in Lesson Planning is often overlooked. However, it can make or break your lesson. A well-prepared lesson starts with having the right resources ready. Whether teaching general or Judaic studies, carefully selecting and organizing materials ensures a smooth, engaging experience. To explore this step further, visit the Just...

Clear Lesson Objectives Make All the Difference

Hello Reader, This is the first of a seven-part series on Lesson Planning. For the full Post, please visit Menschenables. Defining clear learning objectives is the foundation of effective teaching. Lessons can lack direction and impact without a clear vision of what students should learn. Learning objectives guide instruction, assessment, and student engagement, ensuring that lessons are purposeful and measurable. This week’s Blog Post complements the Book of Judges Flipbook. When you signed...