Photo of Sara Smith
Dr. Sara Smith

Dr. Sara Smith is the Assistant Dean of the Graduate Center for Jewish Education. She earned her PhD from New York University and M.A. and B.A. degrees from Brandeis University.

Toys and games are fun, but how can they also be viewed as learning opportunities What is the value of play in our educational settings and how can we think more broadly about tools for play, such as technology? In last night’s virtual salon, we discussed the value of play in learning and how to make our playful experiences more educative. Dr. Rachel Lerner and MAT alumnus Rabbi Tzvi Hametz (’17) joined in a conversation that pushed participants to shift the way we think about play and how we can use play in our educational spaces. A recording of the salon can be here, in addition to a curated list of resources provided by Tzvi, which can be found here


Tzvi Hametz is the Director of Creativity and Innovation, Technology Director, and the manager of the Innovation Lab (a Makerspace) at Gindi Maimonides Academy. Tzvi is a teacher and a teacher coach for integrating technology, playful learning, and creativity in the classroom across Judaic and General classroom setting. He has been working in education for nine years, both in and out of the classroom. He received his MAT from American Jewish University in 2017.

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Photo of Sara Smith
Photo of Sara Smith
Dr. Sara Smith

Dr. Sara Smith is the Assistant Dean of the Graduate Center for Jewish Education. She earned her PhD from New York University and M.A. and B.A. degrees from Brandeis University.