For the past few years, we have been living in a world defined by crisis. COVID, political hyper-polarization, rabid antisemitism, Hamas—just to name a few. For good reason, our communities—including their educational institutions—have scrambled to respond to these crises, and have not only survived but in many cases thrived through them all. Survival is a significant achievement, but the thriving is nothing less than remarkable.
Three incidents stand out when I think of the staffing issue. One: A student beginning a graduate program in Jewish education asked its leadership how one could support a family on the salary of a Jewish studies teacher. The Director responded, “That’s why people go into administration.” Two: A key executive of a Jewish university was asked about a group of Jewish high school teachers’ response to a policy decision with communal repercussions. The executive responded, “Who cares what high school teachers have to say.” Three. A national Jewish organization which was concerned with attracting and retaining Jewish studies faculty was asked to address…
