The conference will be groundbreaking in focus and structure, as hundreds of influential leaders and practitioners share ideas on how to harness the social, economic, technological and community forces changing the Jewish educational landscape.

“The goal of the conference is to excite and stimulate thinking about the potential of creative and thoughtful Jewish education,” said Harlene Winnick Appelman, executive director ofThe Covenant Foundation, which is co-sponsoring the event.

Established and new voices will be featured in a two-hour program featuring plenary speakers, roundtable discussions and presentations by winners of a competition designed to identify grassroots thinkers with bold ideas.

Major speakers will include Ori Brafman, author, teacher and entrepreneur in the public, private and non-profit sectors; Laurie Karr, a marketing and branding consultant specializing in reaching the youth and family markets; and Marc Prensky, a writer, consultant and software creator specializing in the realm of education.

The podium will also be given to three individuals who, as winners of the The Jewish Futures Competition, will present their visions of what Jewish learning and education should look like in the future.

“The competition ensures that emerging voices are given the space they deserve,” said David Bryfman, director of the New Center for Collaborative Leadership of BJENY-SAJES, co-sponsor of the conference. “Ideas can and should come from all angles and sources – established organizations and new and young people alike.”

The conference is expected to attract a diverse crowd of attendees, officials said.

“We believe this conference will be valuable for anyone who is involved in enriching the Jewish present and future,” said Jonathan Woocher, director of the Lippman Kanfer Instituteof JESNA, also a co-sponsor. “It will be especially worthwhile to those involved in transformational learning initiatives or with a major role in allocating resources for Jewisheducation.”

The Jewish Futures Conference will take place at the 2010 General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), attended by thousands of Jewish communal leaders. JFNA is a co-sponsor of the event.

“As professionals, educators, and forward-looking thinkers making an impact on the Jewish future, we will be inspired, challenged and energized to be agents of change within Jewisheducation and our greater community,” said Appelman.

For more information about the Jewish Futures Conference, go to www.jewishfutures.net.