New School for Jewish Identity
Submitted by: New School for Jewish Identity with Congregation Mogen David
Category: Ensuring the Jewish Future
The Big Idea
New School for Jewish Identity gives kids a place to go after-school for the following:
a) Jewish Education-Hebrew Language, Jewish Values, Jewish History, Prayer
b) Expressive Arts-Theatre, Dance, Painting, Songwriting, Playwriting, Meditation, Mindful Awareness, Yoga, Singing and Music
c) Kehilla/Community-unifying the Jewish community because all Jews are welcome
d) Israel Now-What's happening in Israel right now and how we can educate others about it as well
e) Wellness-How to take care of our bodies properly
The Impact
Jewish kids need a place to go after public and private school to hang out with other Jewish kids and express themselves Jewishly and Artistically. A place where kids can feel good about being a future Jewish leader.
We need a new solution for a community center for kids ages 6-13,
That solution is New School for Jewish Identity.
Its a Dynamic and Enriching Jewish and Arts Education program during After-School Hours.
We offer fresh, outside of the box Curriculum that's interactive, artistic, and inspiring.
This Is A Great Idea Because
There has been a drastic decline in enrollment in private Jewish schools recently due mainly to the cost of tuition and our current national financial situation.
We realize that in our community there needs to be an alternative for families who have already pulled their kids from private Jewish schools and placed them in charter/public/home schools to learn Jewish Values, Hebrew Language, Jewish Prayers, Jewish History, etc.
In addition, many private and public schools have cut or completely removed their arts programs due to lack of funding.
Currently, there are schools where Jewish kids are separated by denomination of Reform/Conservative/Reconstructionist/Orthodox, etc. and they may not have exposure to Jewish kids of other denominations or other perspectives of Jewish thought.
Whether our Jewish students are in Private Jewish Schools or Public Schools-kids today have more communication via their smart phone or computer versus through speaking aloud in front of others.
There is a need for outside of the box dynamic jewish education for the kids who can't afford to go to a private Jewish Day School. There is a need for unity in our community for all denominations. There is a need for self-expression through all of the arts for our kids regardless of which school they attend. There is a need for Jewish leadership training.
New School for Jewish Identity