The Jewish Scholastic Press Association is pleased to announce its first-ever workshop for new and almost-new journalism advisers, to be held via Zoom on three Sundays: Aug. 18, Aug. 25 and Sept. 8, 2024.
We’ll tackle topics like how to start a publication from scratch or reboot what’s already there; how best to teach interview technique along with “inverted pyramid” and other story structures; how to cover what’s happening in Israel along with U.S. election news; and what the Torah has to say that is directly relevant to journalism. In group discussions and one-on-one meetings, advisers from Jewish high schools around the country will also consider the particular circumstances of each school, with the goal of making publications more useful to their communities by advancing students’ skills and understanding in all areas of journalism.
The program will meet on Zoom from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Here is a rough outline of topics, though it may change depending on cohort needs.
SESSION 1, Aug. 18
1. How to retain, revive or build your staff — offbeat traditions encouraged!
2. Journalism that’s Jewish: 5 verses, 5 pillars for a teachable, ethical journalism
SESSION 2, Aug. 25
1. Teaching interview technique and news writing formats
2. Intro to covering Israel, elections and other world and national news from a Jewish, teen or local perspective
Optional one-on-ones discussions later in the day.
SESSION 3, Sept. 8
1 Stuff you just need to know: From CSPA to SPLC and beyond, resources every news media adviser needs
2. The news in old text: How to build and fill a Torah section
The New Advisers Workshop is free for advisers of JSPA member publications. If your school has not joined JSPA, you can do so by clicking here. If funding is a problem, please write to us at [email protected] for scholarship opportunities.
To register for the workshop, please ask your adviser to complete this form.
If you have a new or second-year adviser this year, or if you know of a school that does, please let us know by writing to [email protected]! JSPA is committed to helping news media in Jewish high schools reach the highest standards, while offering a Jewish outlook on journalism to students in any school. We teach advisers how to foster best practices in writing, investigation and design, along with a Torah-based lens for evaluating newsroom challenges.
For more about JSPA or our New Advisers Workshop, please visit us at jspa.us.
