Join ICS and TeachRock for a workshop that explores the complex interplay of assimilation, resilience, and cultural reclamation through the parallel lenses of the Native and Jewish American experiences. This workshop is designed for educators of World History, U.S. History, Ethnic Studies, Human Geography, and World Religions seeking to provide students with a nuanced understanding of how marginalized groups negotiate space, belonging, and the "Collective Canvas" of American life. This is an open workshop, but registration is required to attend. Register Here

Step up to the plate and discover the rich lineup of Jewish American identity and history through the lens of one of baseball’s most legendary figures: Sandy Koufax. As the 2026 baseball season kicks off, this session uses the "Left Arm of God" as a starting point to explore the pivot point in the 1965 World Series where Koufax chose to honor his faith over the game, forever changing how the public viewed the intersection of heritage, religion, and the All-American pastime. This is an open workshop, but registration is required to attend. Register Here

Join ICS and The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights (TOLI) for an interactive exploration of the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Through the lens of historical documents and critical inquiry, this interactive session uses primary sources to analyze the rise of Zionism and Arab Nationalism and to trace pivotal moments in the conflict from the late 1800s through the mid-2000s, including the successes and failures of the peace process as well as unresolved issues. Register now to gain critical inquiry tools for your history or social studies classroom. Register Here

Part 1 of ICS' Exploring Jewish Identity series with The Zekelman Holocaust Center, "Ancient Roots, Lived Faith: Jewish Identity, Tradition, and Resistance" will explore Judaism as one of the world’s oldest religions and as a living culture shaped by history, tradition, and resilience. Participants will examine the origins, beliefs, laws, and diversity within Judaism, while also engaging in a guided tour of the museum’s core exhibit. The tour will highlight Jewish identity in pre–World War II Europe and during the Holocaust, with a focus on religion and spirituality as forms of resistance, survival, and continuity. Each educator will be provided with dinner, 2 SCECH points, and instructional resources for their classroom.
This is an in-person workshop at The Zekelman Holocaust Center. Registration is required, Register Here.

Part 2 of ICS' Exploring Jewish Identity series with The Zekelman Holocaust Center, "Coming to America: Jewish Immigration, Restriction, and Resettlement, 1880–1945" will explore Jewish immigration to the United States from 1880 through the post–World War II era, situating it within America’s broader immigration history. Participants will analyze primary sources to understand the push and pull factors of early Jewish migration, Jewish American life in New York, and the repercussions of the 1924 Immigration Act.

The session will then examine how domestic antisemitic policies created barriers to immigration during the Holocaust, using local survivor testimonies to illuminate the human impact of restrictive and bureaucratic systems. Each educator will be provided with dinner, 2 SCECH points, and instructional resources for their classroom.

This is an in-person workshop at The Zekelman Holocaust Center. Registration is required, Register Here!

How do the Constitution’s enduring principles take shape in the lived experiences of diverse communities across America?

This session invites educators to explore that question through a dual lens. Participants will engage with the National Constitution Center’s nonpartisan, primary source-driven approach to examining religious liberty, while also tracing the rich and evolving story of Jewish life in America in partnership with the Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS). Together, these perspectives offer a deeper understanding of how constitutional ideals are interpreted, experienced, and carried forward across generations.

This is an open workshop, but registration is required to attend. Register Here!

Join ICS for a high-energy session celebrating the 20th anniversary of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM). ICS is providing everything you need to make JAHM a sweet addition to your May curriculum!

This session begins by exploring why heritage months are vital for fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring historical accuracy. At the heart of the program is our Jewish American identity, history, and experience content, which serves as a master toolkit for discussing any complex identity group. To wrap it up, you’ll receive exclusive access to seven "JAHM-sized" mini-lessons from ICS, designed to be easily integrated into your May schedule for a seamless classroom celebration.

Celebrate with us and earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon completion of the session evaluation. (NOTE: Gift cards are intended for current educators/educational leaders. Only one gift card will be issued per person, and you must use your school or educational organization email to register.) Register Here!

ICS is marking America’s 250th anniversary with more than just fireworks! We’re debuting our NEW lesson plan and professional development session, Jewish Voices in Early America: Religious Liberty and Civic Participation.

Join us as we pull back the curtain on a fascinating historical paradox: How did a nation founded on the vision of liberty initially bar Jewish citizens and religious minorities from the halls of power?

As a thank you for joining our inaugural event and sharing your feedback via our session evaluation, you’ll receive a $50 Amazon gift card! (NOTE: Gift cards are intended for current educators/educational leaders. Only one gift card will be issued per person, and you must use your school or educational organization email to register.) Register Here!

Part 3 of ICS' Exploring Jewish Identity series with The Zekelman Holocaust Center, "Beyond Belief: Investigating the Multifaceted Identities of Jewish Americans" examines the rich history, diversity, and lived experiences of the Jewish American community to provide educators with a practical toolkit for teaching the complexity of personal identity. Exploring Jewish diversity illustrates how Jewish identity is multifaceted, and how individuals’ unique combinations of culture, religion, history, and lived experience shape how they engage with the world.

The session includes a focused exploration of the struggle and resilience of the 4,000 Holocaust survivors who settled in Michigan after the war, as well as a conversation with a next-generation survivor reflecting on growing up in a Holocaust survivor family and the meaning of legacy today. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the speaker through guided discussion and questions.

This is an in-person workshop at The Zekelman Holocaust Center. Registration is required, Register Here!