For the past several years, college student Jack Redfern has spent his Sunday mornings at Congregation Shalom teaching 8th and 9th grade students. In addition to teaching Hebrew, Redfern has been teaching about antisemitism and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict for a couple of years. Since Oct. 7, and given the rise in antisemitism, he feels it is important to give his students the tools and background they may need for difficult conversations.
Redfern started with a specific curriculum and has adapted it. He now pulls from multiple resources and teaches the material in engaging ways using a timeline format, starting with Theodor Herzl and moving through present day Israel. While he did not have much formal Israel education growing up, he believes it is important for this next generation to have a stronger foundation than he did.
Redfern’s Jewish journey began at a Conservative synagogue in Buffalo Grove, where he started religious school in kindergarten. Beginning in third grade, he attended twice a week. After his bar mitzvah, he joined United Synagogue Youth (USY) and quickly found his place in Jewish youth leadership. When COVID-19 disrupted in-person programming, he felt that loss deeply, and when activities resumed, he stepped up in an even bigger way.
After high school, Redfern came to Marquette University, where Hillel became a second home. In its pluralistic environment, which can lean Reform, Redfern proudly represents his Conservative roots. “My movement isn’t as popular as it once was,” he said, “and I feel like I’ve been able to build that community here.” Alongside campus leaders, he has helped lead services and strengthen Jewish spiritual life. He also spearheaded large-scale programs for the broader Marquette community, including bringing a giant menorah to campus and organizing meaningful holiday and Shabbat meals.
It was through Hillel that Redfern – studying to be a math teacher and now serving as a student teacher at Nicolet High School – learned about a teaching opportunity at Congregation Shalom. With experience as a madrich back home for five years, primarily teaching sixth and seventh grade students about Jewish identity, he stepped into his position with eighth and ninth grade students. Since November 2022, Sundays have become one of his favorite parts of the week. “They’ve given me real experience working in a school-like setting,” he said.
While Redfern enjoys it all, Hebrew is his favorite to teach. “It’s easier to plan and work through,” he explained with a smile.
Redfern has wanted to be a teacher since kindergarten. He always loved the order and structure of school, though it took him time to determine where he fit best. By high school, he realized that was his space. Initially drawn to social studies, a wise counselor encouraged him to consider math, noting it would make him more marketable, advice he took to heart.
Now a senior at Marquette, Redfern is student-teaching at Nicolet High School, where he has the unique experience of teaching some of the same students he sees at Shalom. The overlap has been powerful. “They know me in both roles,” he said. “Because we’ve built relationships early on, there’s a level of respect that carries over.”
He credits much of his success to his supportive parents and the school community that surrounded him growing up. He said he recognizes how much his relationships, with students and with the Jewish community around him, have shaped his growth as an educator. He is grateful to the leadership at Congregation Shalom for trusting him in the classroom and occasionally in the school office when an extra set of hands is needed.
Looking ahead, Redfern has applied for teaching positions back home in the Buffalo Grove area, though Milwaukee’s North Shore holds a special place in his heart. If the right opportunity arose, he admits he would be tempted to stay. Eventually, he hopes to pursue a degree in educational administration and, one day, become a superintendent. No matter where his professional path leads, he plans to continue teaching in the synagogue setting as well.
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Redfern for the past three years, and watching his growth has been extraordinary. What began as a young educator finding his footing has blossomed into a confident teacher who understands that relationships are at the heart of meaningful Jewish education.
I can’t wait to see the continued impact Redfern will have on his students. I have no doubt that he is just getting started.
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MEET AN EDUCATOR
Writer Nicole Boico is the associate director of the Coalition for Jewish Learning of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. This regular feature, from the Coalition for Jewish Learning, is to celebrate local educators. To suggest someone for coverage, contact Boico at NicoleB@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
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