Spark Series: A Reboot Pilot in Arts & Culture Education

The numbers tell a striking story: Jewish Americans are three times more likely to find deep meaning in arts and culture than in religious practice. Yet Jewish institutions chronically underinvest in ongoing Jewish arts and culture programming. While the reasons for this disconnect are complicated, one thing is quite simple:

Jewish communities that embrace the impact of arts and culture do so to a great advantage. 

Reboot’s Spark Series is an exclusive no cost pilot program for Jewish educators, program directors, communal professionals, and everyone in between who wants to infuse high quality Jewish arts and culture into their engagement and education programs.

Drawing on a quarter-century of Reboot’s success in cultural innovation, up to 20 total participants will gain practical tools to create programming that resonates with Jewish audiences. Over four months, participants will receive:

• Five, free, intensive 90-minute virtual group sessions
• Direct interaction with accomplished Reboot network artists via intimate Q&A sessions (e.g. Mickey Rapkin, Rachel Sumekh and Tannaz Sassooni, Avi Amon)
• Insights into a range of  creative processes and approaches to Jewish cultural expression
• Hands-on experience with Reboot’s methodology for arts-based Jewish engagement
• Exclusive access to Reboot’s extensive archive of cultural projects

At Reboot, we know that arts and culture aren’t just add-ons, but essential pathways to meaning and connection.

Join us in crafting a Jewish future where cultural innovation and creative exploration become cornerstones of community engagement.

For more information, or to  register, please visit www.Rebooting.com/SparkSeries

Questions? Email Madelyne@Rebooting.com and Kendell@Rebooting.com

Program Timeline 

Pilot Cohort 1 (May-September 2025) – Max 10 participants

Pilot Cohort 2 (August-December 2025) – Max 10 participants

Program Includes:

• One Free Virtual webinar per month: with materials overview, Reboot artist Q&A, and arts skill building session.
• Interactive elements like polls, artist Q&A, and group discussions in each webinar to keep participants engaged.
• Supplementary materials such as readings, case studies, or practical exercises for participants to work on between webinars.
• Reboot affiliated guest speakers or experts in some webinars to provide diverse perspectives.
• Optional ad hoc office hours with instructors.

Spark Series: Frequently Asked Questions

About the Program

What is the Reboot Spark Series?

The Spark Series is an exclusive, no-cost pilot program designed for Jewish educators, program directors, communal professionals, and anyone who wants to infuse high-quality Jewish arts and culture into their engagement and education programs. Drawing on Reboot’s quarter-century of success in cultural innovation, participants will gain practical tools to create programming that resonates with Jewish audiences.

Why is this program needed?

Research from the Pew Research Center shows that Jewish Americans are three times more likely to find deep meaning in arts and culture than in religious practice. Yet Jewish institutions chronically underinvest in ongoing Jewish arts and culture programming. The Spark Series bridges this gap by providing Jewish professionals with the tools they need to leverage arts and culture for meaningful Jewish engagement.

What is the format of the program?

The program consists of five intensive 90-minute virtual sessions spread over five months. Each session includes materials overview, artist Q&A, and arts skill-building components. Participants will also receive supplementary materials such as readings, case studies, and practical exercises to work on between sessions.

When are the cohorts scheduled?

Pilot Cohort 1 (May-September 2025) – Max 10 participants

• Opening Session: Thursday, June 5, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Session 2: Thursday, June 26, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Session 3: Thursday, July 24, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Session 4: Thursday, August 28, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Closing Session: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET

Pilot Cohort 2 (August-December 2025) – Max 10 participants

• Opening Session: Thursday, August 14, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Session 2: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Session 3: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Session 4: Thursday, November 20, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET
• Closing Session: Thursday, December 11, 2025, 10:00-11:30 AM PT / 1:00-2:30 PM ET

Eligibility & Application

Who is eligible to apply?

The program is open to Jewish educators, program directors, communal professionals, and anyone working in Jewish engagement who wants to incorporate arts and culture into their programming. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

How many participants will be accepted?

Each cohort is limited to a maximum of 10 participants, for a total of 20 participants across both cohorts.

How are participants selected?

Participants can register at _____ . Once their eligibility is certified, they will be confirmed on a first-come first-served basis.

Is there a cost to participate?

No, the Spark Series is offered at no cost to participants as part of Reboot’s pilot program.

How do I apply?

Visit www.Rebooting.com/SparkSeries to access the application form. For any questions about the application process, email Madelyne@Rebooting.com and Kendell@Rebooting.com.

Program Content

What Reboot projects will be featured in the program?

The program will showcase several signature Reboot projects, including:

1. Mother/Road – A multimedia meditation on grief and memory created by Avi Amon. This project explores familial journeys, intergenerational interaction, and the nature of time through live and pre-recorded music, spoken word, and projection video.

2. Erev Yalda – A cultural experience that celebrates the Persian winter solstice tradition with Jewish connections curated by Rachel Sumekh and Tanaaz Sassooni.

3. Anne Frank Gift Shop – A short film comedy by Mickey Rapkin that examines Holocaust remembrance and memory through an irreverent contemporary lens.

What will I learn in this program?

Participants will gain:

• Practical tools for using arts and culture in Jewish education and programming
• Access to Reboot’s methodology for arts-based Jewish engagement
• Insights into creative processes from accomplished Reboot network artists
• Exclusive access to Reboot’s extensive archive of cultural projects
• Strategies for building more engaging and meaningful Jewish cultural experiences

Technical Requirements

What technical requirements are needed to participate?

As this is a virtual program, participants will need:

• A reliable internet connection
• A device (computer, tablet) capable of video conferencing
• A quiet space to participate in the sessions

Will sessions be recorded?

Session recordings may be available for participants who are unable to attend live. However, we strongly encourage live participation to get the full benefit of interactive discussions and Q&A sessions with the artists.

Is there support available if I encounter technical difficulties?

Yes, our team will provide basic technical support to ensure all participants can access and engage with the program effectively.

Additional Questions

Can multiple people from the same organization participate?

Yes, multiple staff members from the same organization may apply. However, due to limited capacity, we encourage organizations to prioritize the team member who will be most directly responsible for implementing arts and culture programming.

Will there be opportunities for one-on-one guidance?

Yes, instructors will offer optional ad hoc office hours for participants who want additional guidance on implementing what they’ve learned.

What if I can’t attend all five sessions?

While we strongly encourage attendance at all sessions for the full program experience, we understand that conflicts may arise. Please note your potential conflicts in your application, and we’ll work with you to ensure you can still benefit from the program.

For any questions not addressed here, please contact Madelyne@Rebooting.com and Kendell@Rebooting.com.