Think Tank Digging Deeper to Find What "Works" in Synagogue Schools

When it comes to schools, and everything for that matter, we are living in the age of choice. We are all part of the "consumerist" generation. Parents want what they want, and they know that they just need to find the right "fit" for their child when choosing their child's activities, and that means their child's religious education, too. And, personal relationships with families are what make their children's religious education meaningful to them. Since October, a group of lay, clergy, and professional leaders from Palm Beach community synagogues have been wrestling with the realities, the challenges, and with new ideas for improving synagogue education.

On Wednesday, February 3rd, the Think Tank presented the LIST FAMILY SCHOLAR event at Traditions of West Palm Beach. Sixty lay, clergy, and professional leaders representing twelve area synagogues, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, CJE, and the JCC participated in the third session of the Synagogue School Enhancement Think Tank. Wednesday's session was highlighted by the List Family Endowment Scholar in Synagogue Education, Professor Jack Wertheimer. Professor Wertheimer is the Joseph and Martha Mendelson Professor of American Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary of North America. For the past three years, he has conducted a complete census of synagogue schools in the United States and ferreted out what makes a great synagogue school. Professor Wertheimer's keynote presentation was "Schools that Work." He spoke about those characteristics common to the synagogue schools he has found in his research over the past three years that make them great schools. Common traits are found in schools which intentionally work to:

1. Develop a community among their students, staff, and parents
2. Take the study of Judaism seriously
3. Create opportunities for students to engage in experiential Jewish education
4. Align all their efforts with school goals
5. Value themselves and their students
6. Regard families as allies and clients

Overall, Professor Wertheimer noted that these traits are not effective one by one, rather only in combination together. He stressed the double meaning of the word, "work." Schools that work also work hard, he said! During the session, participants worked together in teams at their tables to discuss and share answers to these questions:
1. Do you have clearly defined objectives for your educational program?
2. Do you have a mechanism for assessing how you are meeting your objectives?
3. What are the obstacles that prevent you from having either the objectives and/or the assessment?

Everyone knows that answering these questions is no easy task. Why? Because before such questions can begin to be answered, everyone must agree that regardless of all their different possible opinions, motives, and pre-conceived thoughts on goals and objectives, they can and will come to a consensus regarding their priorities and from there, craft the answers. Once over the "consensus hump," forward movement is all "downhill!"

Professor Wertheimer inspired participants to do just that, and we look forward to meeting again on March 24th to determine together one or more action strategies we can implement collectively as a community to enhance synagogue school education in the coming year. Post your action strategies here or email us!