The need for personalized solutions in the Jewish education system was been felt long before the pandemic started, but now, in light of the disruption caused by COVID-19, there is an opportunity to discuss in depth certain topics that were not able to be addressed before. Leaders in the field of Jewish Education say that one of the most critical issues is the gap between the enormous investment in Jewish education and the disappointing results achieved as well as the degree to which Jewish students feel connected to what they are learning. These leaders feel that something is missing in the Jewish students’ ability to achieve high results as well as to feel that the material they are learning is relevant to them. We have the opportunity to reexamine this system. There is an enormous difference between the quality of secular versus Jewish studies within Jewish day schools. Unlike secular studies, which are based on an “Every Student Succeeds” model, Jewish and Hebrew studies are not standardized, and that can be a challenge when it comes to addressing the needs of modern students and providing deeply meaningful experiences for them.  Although Jewish day schools are fully aware of the limitations of the traditional model and are trying hard to address their shortcomings one step at a time, the time for small steps may be over. As demonstrated by the informal Jewish education sector, a change in approach is needed, and the only way to drive innovation in education is to take big, bold steps. Over the past two decades, organizations such as Birthright and the Jewish camping world have shown that scaling up their ideas and fostering a culture of innovation brings in funding and makes change possible. The formal Jewish education sector has a lot to learn from these informal initiatives and following in their footsteps can help it jumpstart the revolution it needs so much.  In order for young Jewish students to become knowledgeable and passionate citizens, while remaining connected to their heritage, we must first empower teachers so that they can create transformative experiences in the classroom. And the base is already there: the Jewish education sector already has kind, caring, and committed teachers who are passionate about their students’ education both inside the classroom and outside of it. With the right training and tools, every teacher can become an outstanding educator. To achieve this goal, we need new infrastructure for Jewish studies – a central hub inspired by the successful model of informal organizations, which can provide educators with comprehensive formal training and all the up-to-date tools and resources they need to transform the learning experience. This is where the World Center for Jewish Education comes in. The World Center for Jewish Education is a lean, creative team of experienced pedagogical experts that’s committed to empowering Jewish schools through innovative, personalized solutions. WCJE is an independent NGO, and its expertise spans from the traditional classroom setting to online learning. It is clear that the Jewish education system is at a crossroads and that the only way for Jewish schools to grow new generations of well-adapted, active, and literate students is to change the way that the Jewish community thinks about and invests in Jewish studies. Over the years, progress has been made at a steady pace […]
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