by Tamar Runyan Start them young, they say, underscoring the value of a solid educational foundation. But in the world of Jewish education, such a firm footing may not come cheap. With that in mind, several Chabad-Lubavitch centers around the country have begun offering free Hebrew school programs, using the incentive of a tuition-free experience to help ensure that Jewish children of all stripes have access to Jewish education. In South Florida, the Highland Lakes Jewish Center, known as Chabad Chayil, offers a five-day after-school program for children from kindergarten to eighth grade at the Aventura Waterways educational center just across the street in Miami. Every day, 200 children from seven area public schools gather after school to pray together, learn about Jewish history and … Continue Reading
New Teacher Induction Model Impacts Retention in Jewish Day Schools
by Fayge Safran Two recent articles posted on eJewish Philanthropy caught my attention, as they focused on the pressing issue of nurturing and retaining talented and committed educators in our Jewish day schools. In her article, Deborah Fishman asked the question, “How do we instill autonomy, mastery and purpose into day school educators’ jobs,” in order to drive job satisfaction and increase retention? Fishman suggests that networks are the answer, as they can allow educators to achieve mastery, develop autonomy and be endowed with purpose. In his response to Fishman’s article, Dr. Ezra Kopelowitz shares research from the Pardes Educators Alumni Support Program on the role of workplace and a teacher’s network in the retention of day school educators. Of particular interest to me was … Continue Reading
Retaining Day School Teachers Involves More than Networks and Workplace Happiness
by Dr. Ezra Kopelowitz Recently, Hal M. Lewis, posted on eJewish Philanthropy an article about the need to place the issue of workplace happiness at the top of the Jewish Community’s efforts to retain quality personnel. He argues that non-financial factors, having to do with the quality of the work experience are critical in retaining personnel in the non-profit world. In responding to Lewis’s article, Deborah Fishman argues that in the context of Day School education, networks are the way to retain quality teachers. In one area, namely day school teaching there is research that points to not one factor, such as work place happiness or networks, but a compilation of factors that lead to retention of quality personnel. Understanding how these factors come together enables concrete and … Continue Reading
iPads in Jewish Day Schools
from RabbiJason.com: iPads in Jewish Day Schools Bill Gates paid a visit to Steve Jobs toward to the end of the Apple visionary’s life. The two technology giants talked about the future of education. According to Walter Isaacson’s biography of Jobs, both men agreed that computers had made surprisingly little impact on schools. Gates said, “Computers and mobile devices would have to focus on delivering more personalized lessons and providing motivational feedback.” One of the many projects Jobs had hoped to develop before his life was cut short, Isaacson explained, was “to disrupt the textbook industry and save the spines of spavined students by creating electronic texts and curriculum material for the iPad.” Rabbi Joshua Spodek regularly studies the Talmud at home with his son, … Continue Reading
North American Jewish Day School Conference Opens Today
Over 600 educators and lay leaders will convene today for the third annual North American Jewish Day School Conference taking place in Atlanta, GA. Jointly planned by RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network; the Institute for University-School Partnership at Yeshiva University; the Schechter Day School Network; PARDeS: The Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools; and PEJE, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, the conference advances the field of Jewish education through collaboration and by convening people and networks with a shared purpose. This year's conference theme, “Current Landscapes - Changing Horizons,” will focus on key issues affecting institutions across the denominational spectrum. Workshops and conversations will address topics such as 21st century … Continue Reading
How to Solve Crises in Day School Education
How to Solve Crises in Day School Education (Hint: It's All About Networks) by Deborah Fishman Affordability: How do you ensure day school education is financially accessible to all Jewish children during times of economic recession? Governance: How can day schools adopt best practices, particularly in finance? Education: How do you increase its quality, adjust the balance between Judaic and general studies, and improve the integration of technology in the classroom? Personnel: How do you train qualified teachers and administrators who will serve as inspirational role models for the next generation of young Jews - and how do you grow and retain them? These are all complex and serious issues for day schools today. Yet there is one that stands out to me as the most compelling cause for … Continue Reading
Network-Weaving with Peter Eckstein
Deborah Fishman sits with Peter Eckstein. This interview is part of the Network-Weaver Series. [Peter Eckstein is the Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Beth David in Palm Beach Gardens. In the past he has served in national leadership roles in CAJE (Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education) and is currently involved in other initiatives. He holds a master’s in Jewish education from Hebrew College.] What is the difference between a network and a community? A network is the connections people have with one another, whether face to face or virtual. A community is qualitatively deeper. It’s a group of people, however they’re connected, sharing information and moving with each other in the same direction. A community is a kehillah - there’s an emotional connection … Continue Reading
Jewish Agency Launches International Network to Twin Schools
The Jewish Agency is establishing a new international twinning network connecting hundreds of Diaspora schools with schools in Israel. Formally launched during a Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony yesterday, the goal is to create real ties between students and teachers on both sides, strengthen the image of Israel among students abroad and allow them to experience Israel in a very real way - not as depicted in the media. At the same time, the program will allow Israeli students to become more familiar with the Diaspora. The program will contain both virtual and in-person components. The first phase will include 200 schools from Israel and 200 schools from around the world, including schools from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, South Africa, Switzerland, Mexico, England, Russia, Hungary, … Continue Reading
Middle Income Day School Affordability out on the Western Frontier
by Sandy Edwards and Miriam Prum Hess Day school affordability for middle income families is critical to the ability of day schools to grow their enrollment and to attain financial sustainability. Day schools and communities are beginning to develop donor-funded programs and tuition strategies as Dan Perla explored in Middle Income Affordability Programs: A Promising Frontier in Day School Affordability, (eJewish Philanthropy December 16, 2011). Another venture in this landscape is Los Angeles Day School Affordability Initiative, a demonstration model in five Jewish high schools (Milken, New Community Jewish High School, Shalhavet, and YULA Boys and Girls High Schools) that not only is designed to stabilize and to incrementally increase the enrollment of students from middle income families … Continue Reading
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