‘Out of the Box’ Jewish Education

September 2012--Rabbi Todd Markley is no scientist, yet he describes his last two years at Temple Beth Shalom (TBS) in Needham as “a big experiment.” This fall, TBS will unveil the results—and more than 300 students in grades K-5 and their families will participate in a brand new education program.

Re-inventing ‘Hebrew School’

“Two years ago, CJP approached us to break down all of our preconceived notions of what ‘Hebrew School’ needed to be and to imagine a new vision for synagogue education,” says Rabbi Markley.

CJP provided funding and matched the TBS community with experts from Brandeis University’s Institute for Innovations in Jewish Education. Together, they designed a Jewish educational experience that will involve the entire family, and include intensive, hands-on projects, field trips and community service.

Finding a New Direction

“This was a direction that our congregation was already considering, but we could not have made this wholesale, systemic change without CJP,” says Rabbi Markley. “The funding and expertise they provided made an incredible difference.”

Currently, CJP is helping six congregations pilot new education programs and sponsoring family retreats. Your gift to CJP can help make Jewish education relevant and meaningful for a new generation.