Day Schools

Since the 1970s day schools have provided an increasing popular alternative among all branches of North American Judaism. Because day schools assume responsibility for the totality of children's education, they require professionally trained teachers, who, in addition to teaching secular studies, are responsible for teaching Judaism and modeling Jewish commitment. To accomplish these multiple tasks, they must bring a strong personal connection to Judaism, a naturalness about their own Jewish identity, and skills in teaching Judaic subjects within a broader curricular context. The challenge to the Jewish community is to find teachers with the necessary mix of pedagogic expertise, Jewish knowledge, and commitment. Where they cannot be found in sufficient numbers, the community must provide in-service training.

Jewish preschools are the ``growth industry'' of Jewish life. Their enrollments are swelling as young parents, returning to the organized Jewish community after establishing families, with to nurture their children's Jewish identity. Our preschools must attract the very best teachers and directors by providing attractive salaries, sufficient benefits, and sound professional conditions; otherwise, success-oriented parents will forego Jewish identity development.