Santiago Waisbein’s Post

Today is the 23rd anniversary of September 11th, a day that holds significance for so many. Today, we remember the lives lost, the survivors, and their families. On a personal level, this is an emotional day for me & many in my generation whose lens on the world shifted forever. Sharing an oped that Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher and I wrote last year for Chalkbeat that focuses on the importance of teaching about the long-term impact of 9/11, specifically on Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities, to Gen Z audiences in particular: https://lnkd.in/eBPRWMwu

🌱 Sowing Seeds of Knowledge & Justice🌱 As yesterday was Gandhi Jayanti and Non-Violence Day, Today we are honoring the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. He demonstrated that non-violence is not just a principle but a powerful tool for change. His belief that peace begins with education remains central to creating a future where justice and equality prevail. At Empower People, we strive to uplift marginalized communities through education, empowerment, and advocacy. By equipping the youngest members of society with knowledge and skills, we lay the foundation for a world rooted in non-violence, understanding, and respect for all. In empowering children with knowledge, we instill the values of peace, tolerance, and justice, which are crucial for building a non-violent society. As Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, "Literacy in itself is no education. Literacy is not the end of education or even the beginning. By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man – body, mind, and spirit." Through education, we ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to rise and contribute to a more harmonious and equitable future. Just as Gandhi believed, the path to non-violence starts with nurturing the hearts and minds of the young. 🌍 #GandhiJayanti #NonViolenceDay #EmpowerPeople #EducationForAll #JusticeForTheMarginalized #HopeForTheFuture #Internationalnonviolenceday

Why was it so awkward to send an email reminder to my colleague that the office is closed in celebration of Juneteenth? Well, to be honest, they don't care. It's just a day the office is closed for them. The end of slavery is such an ugly part of American history that some school districts don't even recognize it. In environments where awareness and understanding of historical significance like Juneteenth may be limited, it can sometimes feel challenging to convey its importance. I assure you, I'm not trying to be overly negative. I needed inspiration and found something worth sharing, even with those who might not fully acknowledge the significance of this history. Juneteenth is about freedom, resilience, history, and the ongoing fight against systemic racism. It represents hope and proof that, as a society, we can eventually get it right. Ultimately, the purpose of Juneteenth as a federal holiday is to foster collective understanding and promote unity among all Americans, regardless of their background, religion, or culture. It serves as a reminder of the significance of freedom and the ongoing journey towards justice and equality for all. I'll say it again: Juneteenth is important.

Orange Shirt Day. Today is the Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools, and as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, I pause to reflect on the deep wounds inflicted on our communities by the boarding school system in the United States. The recently released Volume II of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Report sheds light on the 417 federally run schools that operated between 1819 and 1969, many of which were operated by religious organizations, including 80 schools operated by the Catholic Church. Some of these schools were in my home state of Oklahoma. This report reveals the painful truth about forced assimilation policies that sought to erase Indigenous languages, cultures, and identities. Thousands of children were removed from their homes, and many never returned. It’s estimated that at least 973 children died while attending these institutions, and 74 marked and unmarked burial sites have been identified across 65 school sites. Today, we remember those children, the survivors, and their families. As we honor their memories, let’s also commit to supporting efforts of truth, healing, and justice for Indigenous peoples. https://lnkd.in/g_PV7zzV #DayofRemembrance #NeverForget #Healing #IndigenousRights #TruthAndReconciliation

🟧 Every child matters. September 30 is Orange Shirt Day. 🟧 Officially, it's the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or the National Day of Remembrance, in both Canada and the US. No matter what you call it, today is a day to remember the many thousands of Indigenous children who were compelled into residential schools starting in the 19th century. These children were subjected to physical and emotional abuse as well as forced cultural indoctrination, and thousands were killed in the process by both government and religious institutions. We wear orange to commemorate those horrors so that we may be cautioned never to repeat them. At Four Square, we participate in this observance because we believe education is one of the most important of human rights. At the same time, we understand that even a well-meaning belief like that can be twisted into a force of destruction if it is not approached and conducted with mindfulness, compassion, and an attitude of love for all people. #FourSquareMindfulness #OrangeShirtDay #NationalDayOfTruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters #IndigenousLivesMatter #IndigenousRights #IndigenousChildren #IndigenousHistory #MeditationInAction #mindfulness #meditation #MindfulMeditation #gratitude #JustBreathe #LoveIsAVerb #LoveIsActivism #LoveLearningLiberation #DiversityIsOurStrength #SocialJustice

Death, taxes, and antisemitism.    I’m sick of talking about antisemitism. I’m sick of talking to my kids about it. I’m sick of having to explain to people that, yes, it is antisemitic to hold Israel to a different standard than any other country in the world. Yes, it is antisemitic to accost Jewish college kids in the hallways, just because they are wearing a kippah. I’m sick of wringing my hands about it, day after day, as my daughter starts thinking about where she wants to go to college.    It's hard to know where to start in thinking about the societal failures that led us to where we are. But let’s start with ignorance. Our kids are going to college unprepared. For the most part they are either woefully under-informed about the Arab-Israeli conflict or educated in a traditional "Jewish" setting that often fails to acknowledge some of the nuance in these discussions. The result? They get to college as deer in headlights, incapable of meaningfully engaging and calling out the bullshit when they hear it. Teen Israel Academy is looking to change that. It was inspired by my own The Wexner Foundation learning, from the incredible Keren Fraiman from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. Rarely have I encountered a teacher who can better engage on these tough issues than she can. So Della Heiman Goldkind and I, with the significant support of Greater Miami Jewish Federation, are launching a four-session course designed for Jewish Miami-Dade County 11th and 12th graders to dive into complex questions around Israel, anti-Semitism, the history of the region, Palestinians and the rest. Parents are given the opportunity to separately participate as well.   Simply put – if you are a parent to a teen who cares about Israel and is worried about being Jewish on a college campus in 2024 and beyond, he/she should apply. Let’s give them the tools they need to thrive. The seminar is filling fast – application deadline is August 26 (available at www.teenisraelacademy.com). #antisemitism #education #college #teenagers #Israel #miami #jewish

Fouding Director of Jewish Education Innovation Challenge, Rabbi Shmuel Feld, shares his thoughts on the first month of school corresponding with Elul this year. You can read his blog post below.

Help shape the program for the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference 🌟 TAKE THE SURVEY ✏️ NCEC seeks your valuable input into shaping the program for the next Australian Catholic Education Conference to be held in Cairns from 20-22 August, 2025. With the theme ‘faith, anchored in hope’, the conference will broadly focus on our national strategic priorities: ·      Faith 🙏 - Enhancing the capacity of Catholic school communities to be places of faith and mission ·      Excellence 🎓 - Supporting the continual improvement of educational outcomes for all students ·      Access 🗝️ - Enhancing access to a Catholic education for any family that chooses it. ·       The conference is intended for educators and leaders; state and territory, diocesan and RI & MPJP school authorities; school, tertiary and early learning partners; parents; clergy and religious; and those working in education-related ministries within the broader church. To take the survey click here https://bit.ly/3V2nXcC #Faith #Excellence #Access 

Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day symbolizing freedom and the end of slavery in the United States. Let's teach our little ones about this important day in history and foster a spirit of unity and understanding. Early Childhood Educators, here are some meaningful ways to celebrate Juneteenth with your young learners: 1️⃣ Storytime explorations: Share age-appropriate stories and books that highlight diversity, equality, and the significance of Juneteenth. 2️⃣ Art and crafts: Engage children in creative activities centered around symbols of freedom, unity, and diversity to celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth. 3️⃣ Music and movement: Introduce songs, dances, and movement activities that celebrate African American culture and promote joy and unity. 4️⃣ Cultural exploration: Explore different traditions, foods, and celebrations within the African American community to broaden children's understanding of diversity and inclusivity. Let's sow the seeds of compassion, awareness, and celebration with our little ones on this Juneteenth! 🌟❤️ #EarlyChildhoodEducation #CelebrateJuneteenth

It’s time to understand that the harrassment of Jewish students on what is now more than 50 campuses needs to be confronted directly by universities and stopped. Not temporized about, not met with sighs about the situation in Gaza (which is terrible but is a separate situation to be addressed directly), but stopped. 1. There are now more than 50 campuses with encampments. These are accompanied by and were preceded by direct threats against and harrassment of Jewish STUDENTS. These direct threats and harassment’s would not be tolerated against any other ethnicity/race/etc of students; this must be stopped. 2. Outside agitators, non-students, are involved and precipitating some of this. At Columbia, the direct encouragement of a known terrorist is documented. Similar at other schools. 3. This is not about academic freedom. This is not about free speech. This is about targeting of the Jewish student population and the involvement of groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voices for Peace neither provides legitimate cover nor justification. 4. No this isn’t like the Vietnam protests of the 60’s, Think about it. 5. Universities need to stand up for the integrity of their academic environments against both the students and faculty that promote the violence and encampments. Campuses are shut down. 6. Hillel International is supporting its campuses directly and supporting Jewish students directly. It need your financial assistance. Www.hillel.org.