For twelve days in June and July, while many of their peers had escaped for summer vacation, fifteen dedicated day school leaders met in New York City to embark upon the intense professional and personal journey that is Project SuLaM. Fifteen seasoned educators came from schools throughout North America, representing, for the first time in the program, PARDeS and Schechter members along with RAVSAK schools. The courageous participants came devoted to achieving the aims of the program: to obtain the Jewish Studies background they always wished they had; to learn about the meaning of tefillah and experience a traditional, spirited Shabbat; to gain comfort in leading HaMotzi and Birkat HaMazon; to become intimately familiar with the TaNaKH and acquire tools to be able to study it in greater depth; to gain the skills for delivering divrei Torah; and simultaneously, to gain the confidence necessary to take ownership of the Jewish vision of their schools and all of the Jewish curricula and programming.
Project SuLaM was conceived with the understanding that it would have a significant impact on principals and heads of schools who carry out much of the day to day work of Jewish education. The program has enjoyed great success, as mentors and mentees get together in mutual adult Jewish learning. The impact of the program, the quality of its participants and idea behind it exceed the initial expectations of its founders. Today, we rejoice in the fact that we are changing the very core of how day to day Jewish education is carried out. The bar is raised, and the future is engaged.”–Larry Kutler, Head of School,
David Posnack Hebrew Day School, Plantation, Florida
Participants achieved all this and more while thriving in a supportive and convivial cohort of peers. Mazel tov to the people selected for this elite program:
Lilach Bluevise, Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex & Union, West Orange, NJ
Anthea Canes, Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School, Northridge, CA
Todd Clauer, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Overland Park, KS
Peter Cline, Rockwern Academy, Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Jeffrey Davis, San Diego Jewish Academy, San Diego, CA
Natalie Friedman, Donna Klein Jewish Academy, Boca Raton, FL
Jill Grunewald, Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, NJ
Nan Jarashow, Aleph Bet Jewish Day School, Annapolis, MD
Jill Kessler, Pardes Jewish Day School, Phoenix, AZ
Allison Oakes, Eleanor Kolitz Academy, San Antonio, TX
Dr. David Portnoy, The Emery/Wiener School, Houston, TX
Leslie Pugach, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, Philadelphia, PA
Michael Tanenbaum, Portland Jewish Academy, Portland, OR
B. Anat Valdman, Reuben Gittelman Hebrew Day School, New City, NY
Nina Wand, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, Baltimore, MD
Todah rabbah to the mentors and teachers for their outstanding engagement with their brilliant and inquiring colleagues:
Rabbi Tzvi Berkson, Donna Klein Jewish Academy, Boca Raton, FL
Rabbi Michael Druin, The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School, North Miami Beach, FL
Tzivia Garfinkel, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, Chicago, IL
Mariashi Groner, Charlotte Jewish Day School, Charlotte, NC
Jerry Isaak-Shapiro, The Agnon School, Beachwood, OH
Dr. Laurence Kutler, David Posnack Hebrew Day School, Plantation, FL
CAT, RAVSAK’s online, highly participatory middle school program in Jewish history, will have four new schools taking part in the fall:
[More]Members of RAVSAK enjoy many benefits which support the overall work of the school and the professionals who lead them. Find out more about membership benefits and how your school can become a member.
Use our interactive map of member schools to find a Jewish Day School near you.
In addition to serving Jewish community day schools across North America, RAVSAK has a special category of membership for Jewish and educational organizations, consultants and companies which share our vision of excellence in Jewish day school education.
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