Rabbis, Day School Heads Discuss Mutual Goals
by Ann Green
"Education is not a separate sphere of Jewish life; it is integral to how American Jews live today...beyond the knowledge and the skills they teach, Jewish educational settings are central to the way American Jews construct their lives and communities today." Dr. Jack Wertheimer, Jewish Theological Seminary
Members of the Massachusetts Board of Rabbis met for the first time with the Heads of School and School Rabbis of Greater Boston's Jewish day schools on January 25 at Gann Academy in Waltham. The program, "Shuls and Schools: Making Win-Win Relationships," was facilitated by Dr. Jonathan Woocher of the Jewish Education Services of North America and sponsored by CJP's DAF.
Jonathan Woocher addresses the meeting
"This is a momentous meeting," said Ilene Sussman, Director of Jewish Day School Advocacy Forum (DAF) of Combined Jewish Philanthropies. "It is the first time we meet together to discuss the education of the next generation of Jews who will be the leaders of the Jewish future." Woocher praised Greater Boston's Jewish community as being on the cutting edge of developments in education for children as well as adults. Rabbi Neil Gold of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland pointed out that he and his family were "drawn to the area because of Greater Boston's reputation as a creative Jewish community, and because there are day school options within a reasonable distance. This is a blessing."
The goal of the meeting, as Dr. Woocher explained, was to begin a dialogue on how schools and synagogues can work together to continue their shared commitment to providing a powerful Jewish education to the next generation. "Both institutions are responsible for providing Jewish passion and commitment," added Gann Head of School Rabbi Daniel Lehmann. The program involved much give and take among leaders from congregations and schools representing a spectrum of Jewish denominations as well as pluralistic schools.
Some of the 60 rabbis and educators in attendance, engaged in chevruta learning
The group strongly supported Rabbi Wesley Gardenswartz of Temple Emanuel of Newton in his assertion that, "We need to have great educational choices for all families. That includes great afternoon Hebrew schools and Sunday schools, as well as day schools." The group also discussed such potential conflicts as finding adequate financial resources for all institutions; stresses on families to find time to invigorate both schools and synagogues; the necessity of assigning staff to the task of increasing joint efforts of day schools and synagogues; and the need to get the word out about tuition assistance and the availability of special needs resources at day schools so that more families might consider that option.
Congregational Rabbis described programs designed to strengthen relationships between children who attend afternoon religious schools and those who attend day schools, an issue many acknowledged. Several Jewish day schools have held Shabbatons at area synagogues, and Congregation Or Atid in Wayland holds bi-weekly Shabbat programs which bring together Hebrew school, day school and privately tutored students on a regular basis. "Day schools and synagogues need each other," said Rabbi Joel Sisenwine of Temple Beth Elohim. "Day schools are the best resources on how to transform a child's Jewish identity." Temple youth groups were also discussed as a way of getting youth from different educational backgrounds to interact and to energize congregations.
Many agreed that it can be a challenge to get day school students to participate in these groups. "We're about 50 years into serious day school education and 15 into re-imagining Hebrew schools," said Woocher, "We have enough of a glimpse into what the future should be like. Linking our people in dynamic and creative ways will be a tremendous gift to the Jewish future, and Boston is the best place on the continent for success in this kind of work."