Signature programs

Professional Development & Coaching

Matan’s virtual and in-person professional development programs are meticulously designed with your organization’s specific needs and goals in mind. Whether you’re seeking ongoing support for your professional staff, smaller targeted group sessions, or one-time workshops, you can customize your sessions to ensure that the content and format are aligned with what your organization needs in order to achieve its inclusion goals.

A woman points to multi-colored sticky notes on a wall during a meeting with three colleagues seated at a table with laptops and notebooks.
Three women in a meeting room, one younger woman speaking and gesturing, an older woman taking notes, and another woman standing, all focused on a discussion. Coffee cup and tablet visible on the table.

How We Do It

We listen carefully. Our approach to professional development matches our philosophy about learning in general: no two students are the same and we cannot expect them to adapt to our way of teaching; rather, we must create environments where they are set up to be successful. Instead of providing you with a list of workshop topics, we engage with you in order to learn about the culture and philosophy of your school or organization, what resources exist on your own staff, the kinds of topics that have been explored previously, and the ways in which your team/community members tend to engage most successfully.

Matan also provides individual coaching to director-level educators, facilitates Communities of Practice for teachers and other Jewish professionals, and partners with communities on year-long engagements that include both in-person and virtual components.
At Matan, we understand that “one size does not fit all!”

What To Expect

Your professional development experience with Matan begins with your inquiry. You will be connected right away with one of the special educators or disability inclusion specialists on our team, who will work to understand your particular school or organization. Whether you already have a goal or topic in mind, or you need to talk through what would be most beneficial for your staff or community, we work with you to discover what kind of workshop or engagement best meets your needs.

From there, we will match you with the Matan facilitator who possesses the specific expertise to achieve your desired outcomes. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with your facilitator, who will work to ensure your professional development goals are met. Any slide decks or handouts will be sent to you in advance so that participants have the opportunity to preview the material and have it in front of them for the workshop.

Each Matan session concludes with a brief evaluation questionnaire, so that we can continue to build the best and most productive professional development opportunities.

Two women at a table smiling toward the camera taking notes. There are various toys and pieces of paper visible on the table.

past engagements

Organizations that have benefited from Matan’s professional development programs include:

  • The Efshar Project – Denver, CO
  • Tucson Jewish Community Center – Tucson, AZ
  • Moed After School Program – Chevy Chase, MD
  • Greenwich Reform Synagogue – Cos Cob, CT
  • Camp 12 Trails – New York, NY
  • Olam Tikvah Preschool – Fairfax, VA
  • Jewish Learning Works – San Francisco, CA
  • Congregation Beth Tikvah – Worthington, OH
  • Sasone – Kansas City, KS
  • Kolot Chayeinu – Brooklyn, NY
  • Westchester Day Camp – Mamaroneck, NY
  • 92nd Street Y – New York, NY
  • The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning
  • Ohr Kodesh Early Childhood Center – Chevy Chase, MD
  • Brotherhood Synagogue – New York, NY
  • Congregation Shaarai Shomayim – Lancaster, PA
  • Temple Israel – Westport, CT
  • Community Synagogue of Rye – Rye, NY
  • Temple Emanuel – Kensington, MD
  • The Reform Temple of Forest Hills – Forest Hills, NY
  • Temple Rodef Shalom – Falls Church, VA
  • Congregation Har Shalom – Potomac, MD

    • National Conferences / Community-wide Trainings

    Where you’ve seen us

    Matan regularly presents at national conferences and community­-wide trainings on a variety of topics, with organizations such as:

    • A man and two women in conversation at a social gathering, with one woman holding a drink and gesturing while the others listen. People are mingling in the background.
    • A woman and a child, both seated at a table, look at each other. The woman is smiling softly. A laptop and a few books are on the table. It is a home environment.
    URJ Camp Coleman
    Gratz College
    Hebrew College
    ISJL Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life
    Jewish Educators Assembly
    Foundation for Jewish Camp
    The Jewish Education Project
    The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
    JCC Association of North America
    The Orchard - Growth. Renewal. Connection
    The Paradigm Project
    PJ Library
    Ruderman Inclusion Summit
    Shalom Learning
    Young Judaea Sprout Camps
    Union for Reform Judaism

    Testimonial

    In their own words

    “During our professional development session, we were able to explore practical steps we can take to help create a welcoming space for all of our learners. We had the chance to wrestle with a variety of classroom scenarios and collaborate on solutions.”

    • Rebecca Hirschwerk
    • Director of Congregational Education
    • Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore

    Connect With Us

    Start collaborating with us for a more inclusive Jewish community.

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