BEN SHOVERS
iFellows Alumn | Cohort 13
When I decided to join iFellows, I expected I would progress my knowledge of the Israeli-Arab conflict, learn additional nuances of Israeli history, and gain a few fun facts about Israeli culture. I did not realize that I was beginning a transformative experience that would change my trajectory as a learner and a teacher. I did not anticipate that I would gain over a dozen pedagogical practices that I can now implement into my day-to-day life as an educator and Jewish communal professional. I did not expect to connect with a network of hundreds of educators, communal leaders, and scholars who are advancing the world’s consciousness of Israel’s vibrancy and ever-evolving society…Being an iCenter iFellow has made me a better Jewish communal leader, scholar, educator, learner, and professional.
IAN COHEN
iFellows Alumn | Cohort 11
Past Experiences with The iCenter:
While I was in the process of getting my Master’s at the Jewish Theological Seminary, my focus on Israel wasn’t part of the curriculum, and The iCenter offered me the invaluable opportunity to focus exclusively on Israel education with an incredible team of educators and mentors, who provided a framework, not just for the language I needed but also their relational approach to Israel education. Their partnership with universities across the country, partners in Israel, and extensive resources are a crucial piece of Jewish education that North American Jews here in the Diaspora deeply need to provide not only youth, but adults as well, the nuances, stories, empathy and understanding missing from contemporary discourse, while not shying away from complexity.
Thoughts on the Art Up Nation Session:
As a Jewish artist myself, Art Up Nation’s private tour with members of various cohorts from The iCenter’s programs, was a privilege and an honor as we conversed with artists who flew in from Israel to share sometimes deeply personal stories of their work and full selves. Some of my personal favorites were the works of Ronan Sharabani, whose digital installations I found deeply spiritual, incorporating not only a profoundly Jewish element, but lots of emotion, but inner tension, beauty and turmoil. I was also really moved by Israeli Druze artist, Amira Ziyan, and her window into what could be seen as mundane tasks, turning them into something almost holy, reclaiming the power of the feminine. In a climate where Israeli and Jewish artists are being excluded from the art world, Art Up Nation restored the humanity and soul of not only the artists themselves, but as Jewish educators here in NYC, the ability to take their work into classrooms and various settings to foster deeper connections amongst Jewish learner’s who might not speak Hebrew, travel to Israel, or have access to this important cultural element into the people of Israel, their experiences and intimate perspectives, a relational approach that is emblematic of The iCenter’s mission.
Ian Menachem Cohen is New York City based former handbag designer turned artist, who left the fashion world 6 years ago to pursue higher Jewish learning. He is an alumnus of the City College of New York’s Jewish Studies Department, receiving his Bachelor’s in 2021, followed by a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from New York’s Jewish Theological Seminary in 2023. He received his certification in Israel Education from the iCenter in 2022. Through his art, Ian reveals aspects of Jewish history, identity, and Antisemitism that are often missing from contemporary discourse, fusing Jewish education, visual expression and creativity. Ian has participated in various exhibits at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and with Stars in the Arts, an organization of Jewish and Israeli artists dedicated to fostering Jewish pride, supporting Israel and combating Antisemitism through art