Jennie Starr, at The Blogs

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Jan 4, 2016, 3:00 PM

Israeli Inspired Jewish Education in America

My childhood was filled with Israeli food and music on Shabbat, outdoor planting and hiking (Tu B'Shevat), building (Sukkot), and bonfires (Lag BaOmer). These experiences with my Israeli-American family were vibrant, hands-on, and often outdoors and they made for...

Oct 17, 2015, 8:42 AM

Israeli? Israeli-American? American? Why Speaking Hebrew Matters

I am an Israeli-American, raised in the US, but I didn’t learn to speak Hebrew until I was an adult. Speaking Hebrew strengthened my connection to Israel, family, Israelis and even Jewish life. It helped me relate, made me...

Jun 27, 2014, 1:09 AM

Texting Hebrew and the Bilingual Child

Texting Hebrew and the Bilingual Child By Jennie Starr I confess, I text my 9 and 12 year olds in Hebrew during the day and whenever I can. It began as a game, but when I got texts in return in...

Nov 17, 2013, 4:16 PM

Hebrew Books At Bed Time, Jewish Identity & Israel Connection

We live in San Diego where thanks to our Jewish Community Foundation, Leichtag Foundation, and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the PJ Library books are available to our Jewish families. The program delivers Jewish children’s books in English to our mailbox...

Jul 26, 2013, 8:08 PM

Healthy Jewish Collaboration & Reciprocity

I love our Jewish partners who work hard, take risks, sharing their resources but also planning reciprocal programmatic and marketing the benefits for both of our organizations. They are committed, courageous, and have an enthusiastic desire to see an...

Mar 16, 2013, 2:23 AM

Creative New Avenues Fortifying Jewish Life in the Diaspora and in Israel

Reflections on a Visit with Our Israeli Friends in San Diego’s Partnership 2Gether Project San Diego’s Jewish Federation funds a Partnership facilitated by the Jewish Agency with Israel’s Shaar HaNegev area; Jews in San Diego connect with Israelis there learning from...

Jan 25, 2013, 7:18 AM

Raising American Jews Through an Israeli Lens

My daughter was born, and we didn’t know what Synagogue we’d belong to, or if she’d go to Jewish Day School, but we knew we wanted her to be “Happily Jewish” and strongly connected to Israel from our home...

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About Me

Jennie Starr is the Founder and CEO of the Tarbuton Israeli Cultural Experiences in San Diego, CA. Founded in 2006, the community programs are designed to use Modern Hebrew and Israeli culture as an essential link to Jewish Peoplehood itself for both Israelis and Americans. Jennie has 20 years of work experience in Law and Product Management. She has a BA from Northwestern, MA from the University of Illinois, and a JD from Washington University in St. Louis. She advocates for Hebrew Language Charter Schools, introduced Hebrew classes in area elementary public schools and serves on her District DELAC Board. Jennie has coached 8-15 yr olds in Girls on the Run and enjoys running Marathons and Half Marathons as time permits. She lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and two children.