‘Mending the world’

Thursday, Oct. 16 — Congregation Kehillat Israel will hold a community forum on public education at 2 p.m. Sunday as part of the synagogue’s Committee on Social Justice project. 

“In our tradition, this is called Tikkun Olam, which means ‘mending the world,’” said Kehillat Israel president David Wiener in a press release. “Our goal is to facilitate a positive dialogue among knowledgeable and active educators and public officials in our community. (We’re) looking at the challenges facing public education and some of the creative and innovative work taking place to address these challenges.”

Members of the community are invited to join in the dialogue. Donald Heller, dean of the MSU College of Education, will serve as the facilitator. Panel members are Yvonne Caamal Canul, superintendent of the Lansing School District; Donna Kaplowitz, assistant professor in the College of Residential Arts and Humanities; Bettie Menchik, evaluator for the Charter School Office of the Michigan Department of Education; Robyne Thompson, superintendent of the East Lansing School District; and Andy Schor, Michigan House of Representatives.

“We hope that this dialogue provides insight and information about public education at the local and state levels,” Wiener said. “And we hope that the dialogue encourages participants to support these creative and positive efforts and be active in finding roles to strengthen public education in our community.”

Parking for Kehillat Israel is off Aurelius Road south of Forest Road. Handicapped parking is in the parking lot off Forest Road.

Community Dialogue on Creative Responses to Challenges in Public Education

2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19

Congregation Kehillat Israel

2014 Forest Road, Lansing

(517) 882-0049 or (517) 803-6392