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Sarasota News Leader August 30, 2013 Page 101 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL TO OFFER MORE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ON ISRAEL Rabbi Ari Shapiro of Temple Sinai in Sarasota has been teaching adults and youth about Israel for many years, but now he has gained the certification to do so with a deeper understanding of how to more meaningfully engage students of any age," the Temple has announced. and exchange of ideas," Shapiro said in the release. "I learned many new ways to engage students in the learning process through music, the Internet, and group participation." Shapiro added that he looks forward to implementing what he learned as he teaches seventh-graders and adults this coming Shapiro recently participated in the 12th an- school year. nual Professional Development Workshop on Modern Israel, held in conjunction with the Emory Institute for the Study of Modern Israel and made possible by the generosity of The AVI CHAI Foundation, a news release explains. "It was a week of intensive educational training" for 63 selected educators who came from 18 states, 49 schools and Israel-centered organizations, the release notes. "Reb Ari," as he is called at Temple Sinai by his Religious School students, "took part in lectures, cultural activities and breakout sessions and was exposed to cutting-edge pedagogy and experiential learning," the release continues. The workshop featured world-renowned scholars and curriculum specialists from the United States as well as Israel's Hebrew University. "Reb Ari chose to pursue this professional development opportunity offered by the Religious School because he has seen first-hand the growing distance between young American Jews and the State of Israel and the decreasing interest in the Hebrew language and Hebrew/Jewish education," the release adds. He found encouragement in his experience, it notes. "Being with so many educators, from varied settings, made for invigorating conversations Rabbi Ari Shapiro. Contributed photo