First of all, I’d like to compliment the editor on the pairing of the two issues facing Jewish schools – the lack of Jewish meaning, and the search (and need) for better attendance and lateness policies. It alludes to what Jewish schools often are in a nutshell; an attenuated aspiration for a depth in Judaism, and an accompanying sense of not altogether being there.
What is the goal of an effective MO Jewish school in regards to Judaism? I propose three (if you want more, fine with me) common ones:
• Acculturation and indoctrination into Judaism
• A deeper invitation to investigate what it is to be a Jew
• An open quest that we introduce students to confidently, despite the reality that this may lead to questions without pat answers.
MO schools are trying to do all three (look at mission statements), but without the self-awareness and coherent planning that involve all three in compatible ways. It makes the message messy. Each school, quite often for reasonable and practical reasons, chooses to emphasize one approach over the others.
And then, on top of it all, the school must function as and be recognizable as a school. Can a MO school accomplish what Eitan Gross wants - a Jewish identity so compelling that living in American culture and investigating secular subjects are seen through Jewish lenses, and so do not threaten Judaism? Probably not; and certainly not for each and every student. Is then opting for a more Charedi style school environment desirable? Some Dati Leumi schools in Israel go down that road – but is that really the answer?
What a school can and should do is be self-aware, honest, and straightforward about the three bullets above. It should give a coherent deliberate approach, teach it, and live by it. And it should avoid arrogance…
Rabbi Moshe Simkovich
ATT of Chicago, Educational Consultant
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2017 06:10AM by mlb.
