The Jewish New Year is quickly approaching, along with the return of the school year. From Richmond to Oakland, San Francisco to San Mateo, the word is out that the school bells will be ringing again soon.
In particular, the executive directors of the two hubs of Jewish learning in the Bay Area are enthusiastic about the new school year, new projects, and what they see as the flourishing of Jewish education and Jewish life in the Bay Area.
“There is no richer place [for Jewish education] than in the Bay Area; we’re sitting on the cusp of a renewal of Jewish life,” said Rabbi Glenn Karonsky, executive director of the Center for Jewish Living and Learning of the Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay.
Robert Sherman, executive director of the Bureau of Jewish Education in San Francisco, agrees.
“Education is an expression of a vital Jewish community,” Sherman said. “And it has become stronger in the Bay Area, more vital, more diverse, more opportunity for engagement.”
Among Sherman’s anticipated programs is “Educator Leadership Institute: Focus Israel.” Over the past year, the BJE has worked with a group of more than 20 principals and heads of Jewish studies at area day schools on this joint project with the Jewish Community Federation’s Israel Center. This yearlong program about the learning and teaching of Israel culminated in July with a two-week trip to Israel. A second ELI group is already in place for the coming school year.
Sherman stressed the importance of providing teachers with the tools to help students connect with Israel, labeling ELI a major strategic undertaking.
“[It’s about] the learning of Israel and attachment of students to Israel,” he said. “American Jews feel very distant from the thought of Israel. It’s been more than 50 years since the birth of the state; connections are becoming lost.”
Aside from ELI, Sherman looks forward to programs involving everyone from preschoolers to adults to families. He particularly is proud of a program that recruits teenagers and their parents to work with the elderly.
“It’s about Jewish meaning; it’s about tikkun olam,” Sherman said.
On the other side of the Bay, Karonsky discussed CJLL’s own form of tikkun olam. Specifically, the CJLL has turned its attention toward the challenge of Jewish special education. In addition to helping teachers present materials to students with special needs, the CJLL is striving to help schools become better equipped to assess students who may need special attention. The CJLL has its own consultant, clinical psychologist and special education expert Lynda Kravitz, who has helped to design approaches for educating youth and families in Jewish traditions.
Karonsky said that ongoing service to East Bay teens is always of high importance. The center plays a central role in providing curricula and non-formal programming for the 900 Jewish teenagers living throughout the East Bay.
One such program is “Let’s Go Israel,” which sends East Bay teens to Israel. Karonsky said that the 10th-grade year is devoted to the study of Israel, “preparing students experience the joys of homeland themselves.”
Karonsky sees an upsurge in Jewish learning, with strengthened synagogue programs, an increase in the number of day schools, and more emphasis on cultural diversity and Israel-related programs in all Jewish institutions.
Sherman agreed, also citing the growth of students at Jewish early-education schools as well as Jewish day schools.
Sherman and Karonsky both see the role of organizations like the BJE and CJLL as fundamental to strengthening Jewish education and life.
“My vision is that we could a serve a role in fostering a sense of passion and commitment to Jewish life,” Karonsky said. “The objective of the Jewish educator remains to open doors of accessibility to the Jewish community, and help them be appreciative and aware of what is available to them.”
“What we have learned more than anything is that it is possible to live fruitful, joyous lives as Jews in an area where there is everything you need available to lead a Jewish life,” he added.