In February, the Federation partnered with the Samis Foundation and ElevatEd to host a series of professional development workshops for early childhood educators in Seattle, hosted at the Seattle Jewish Community School (SJCS) and the Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC). Led by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, an award-winning theater artist, writer, and Jewish educator, 34 teachers, directors, and administrators representing 15 Jewish institutions—from preschools to day schools and religious schools—came together to explore how immersive, arts-based learning can transform Jewish education.

Pre-K through 5th-grade educators participated in a workshop focused on using physical theater, immersive storytelling, and tabletop puppetry to bring Jewish texts to life. Rather than passively retelling stories, educators learned how to connect creative exploration directly to Jewish text, embodying active, sensory-based learning.

To illustrate these techniques, the workshop included a model lesson based on the story of Purim. Students from SJCS joined for a live demonstration, experiencing what an immersive lesson can look like in action. Using immersive audio design, props, and embodied play, the kindergarteners were transported into ancient Shushan, imagining themselves dancing at the palace, sneaking a letter to Esther, standing up to Haman, and saving the day.