Learning About Learning: Conversations with Scholars of Jewish Education

Episode 42: Jewish Educators’ Responses to "You Never Told Me"

Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University Season 5 Episode 6

In this session, we explore insights into how Israel educators from Jewish high schools across the denominational spectrum approach teaching modern Israel in response to the "you never told me" phenomenon: graduates expressing disillusionment that criticisms of Israel were not covered in their high school education. Benji Davis discusses his recent study and share how educators intentionally incorporate both Zionist and Palestinian perspectives to deepen students' Jewish identification with Israel and the Jewish people, while preparing them to engage in conversations about Israel on campus.

Originally recorded: 1/15/26

At the Mandel Center, we are committed to advancing the field of Jewish educational scholarship, especially scholarship on teaching and learning, in order to make a deep and lasting difference on the lives of learners and the vibrancy of the Jewish community. That’s our mission.

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Learning About Learning is a production of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University, and is engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media LLC.