Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education

NESS

Successes of the Pilot Program

 

Some of the notable successes of the pilot program include:

• heightened interest and attention to Jewish education in the six pilot congregations;

• improved structures and functioning of Education Committees;

• Models of leadership development that are applicable and being generalized to other arenas of congregational life;

• Application of a consensus model for congregational decision-making;

• Enhanced skills, roles, and status of education directors;

• Effective professional development for teachers;

• Greater accountability on the part of teachers for what they are teaching; and

• Overall professionalization of congregational Jewish education.

 

Moreover, the anecdotal evidence is compelling. 

 

From a NESS-school rabbi we heard,

"NESS has succeeded in creating a culture in our community that puts education at the top of our priority list." 

 

A NESS-school education director commented,

"NESS has opened up many opportunities to engage students, parents, and other lay people in our school.  It has enabled my teachers to work collaboratively and creatively.  It has transformed the infrastructure of our education committee to support these new initiatives.  Our synagogue has changed; it really has become a new place with new energy because of NESS.  The atmosphere in our school is humming!" 

 

A NESS-school teacher said,

"I, who have been teaching for many years, personally feel more empowered to stimulate my students, allowing them to be creative and not passive learners.  NESS has exceeded my expectations . . ." 

 

And, finally, and perhaps most significantly, a NESS-school student said,

"I only wish this program existed years ago, and perhaps I could have enjoyed more of my time in Hebrew school." 

 

After his experience in a NESS-school, he decided to continue his Jewish education in a community Hebrew high school.

 

 

 

Please direct all questions to Anita Block, Director of the NESS Initiative, at 215-635-8940, ext. 1235 or ablock@acaje.org.