20th Anniversary
Research That Changed The Field
As the Foundation marks our 20th anniversary in 2025, we are pleased to elevate some of the individuals, organizations, and research that have left an indelible mark on the field over the last two decades.
What does it take to build a new field or significantly elevate a nascent one? Over 20 years, the Foundation asked this question on multiple occasions. Often, finding the answers started with research. In this feature, we look back at two pieces of groundbreaking research that, along with talented and committed leaders, changed Jewish life and learning. Effective Strategies for Educating and Engaging Jewish Teens: What Jewish Communities Can Learn from Programs That Work (2013) and Seeds of Opportunity: A National Study of Immersive Jewish Outdoor, Food, and Environmental Education (2014) were landmark studies. We’re grateful to Sara Allen, Adam Smith, Rabbi Zelig Golden, and Jakir Manela who reflect on them below.
