The pedagogy of rootedness responds to the challenge of grounding Jewish youth and individuals joining Jewish communities in the history of Polish Jewry by integrating knowledge of local community history into the broader tapestry of global Jewish history. This educational approach goes beyond the general knowledge of Judaism and emphasizes the importance of discussing topics within the context of local community history. A distinctive feature of the pedagogy of rootedness is the incorporation of artifacts into the educational process. By introducing tangible objects with historical significance, the pedagogy aims to provide a tangible connection to the past. These artifacts, carefully chosen to represent the rich history of local Jewish communities, serve as powerful tools for engaging students and fostering a deeper understanding of the cultural legacy.
March 2024
Pedagogy of Rootedness: Retrieving Rootedness and Building a Sense of Belonging
The pedagogy of rootedness stresses the importance of being aware of one’s heritage to create a sense of belonging and connection.
Dominika Zakrzewska is a social psychologist, an educator, and Jewish activist, holding PhD in Social Sciences and MA’s in Education and Social Psychology. In 2021 she started post-graduate program in Jewish Nonprofit Management at HUC, Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management. She is an Executive Director at Beit Polska - The Union of Progressive Jewish Communities in Poland, and an Assistant Professor at the Pedagogical University in Warsaw. Among others, she was a grantee of the Fulbright Slavic Award, World Union for Jewish Studies, Yesod Europe Jewish Professional Development Fund, a Scholar in Residence at the Oxford Summer Institute for the Development of Curriculum in Critical Contemporary Antisemitism Studies, URJ Klal Yisrael Fellow, Mi Dor Le Dor Fellow, Taube Center in Poland. Dominika is passionate for meeting new people and developing international and cross-cultural cooperation and plan to focus her future professional career on strengthening sustainability of Jewish life.
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