Re-Imagining Jewish Education

Re-Imagine, made possible through the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and an anonymous national funder, is a two-to-three year systemic process of re-imagining Jewish learning for children to help congregations meet the changing educational and spiritual needs of today’s Jewish families. Participating congregations receive support through online, telephone, and in-person consultation; group learning sessions; and resources such as a Torah-centered Guidebook, an online interactive learning experience on Alternative Models of the Religious School (including meeting guides, exercises, and text studies), and other online tools developed by ECE. Ultimately, RE-IMAGINE helps each participating congregation set a vision for the Jewish education of its children, develop an initiative aimed at realizing that vision, and learn how to continue to innovate towards that vision. This vision is its own, not a copy of another congregation’s or one that's predetermined.

What makes this project unique?

It looks at the congregation and the school as a single, organic institution, rather than a cluster of individual, competing departments.

It helps the participating congregation to ask a different set of questions. This project is not about adding or changing one more program or curriculum. Instead, with the rich resource of Torah and wisdom from the field of educational change, lay and professional leaders ask and answer the most fundamental questions about Jewish education like “What is the role of families in our children’s education?” and “How do we link what is learned to what is lived?” Positive inquiry around these essential questions enables congregations to create the model of education that is consistent with their values and can influence children in long lasting and meaningful ways.

It brings to the table a new set of tools developed by ECE. Positive innovation is possible with the support of unique tools such as an online learning experience – Alternative Models of Religious School. This interactive, flexible experience takes you on virtual visits to congregations across the country that have created mold breaking models of Jewish education. The RE-IMAGINE Guidebook is built on ECE's decade of pioneering experience with synagogues.

Participating Congregations in the Re-Imagine Project: Leo Beck Temple, Temple Adat Ari El, Temple Adat Elohim, Temple Beth El of San Pedro, Temple Isaiah, Temple Israel of Hollywood, Temple Judea.

Who is Involved in The RE-IMAGINE Project?

At each congregation a leadership team, including the rabbi, educator, and 3-6 lay people, directs the project, working as part of a task force with an additional 12-25 people, depending on the size of the congregation. Many more are touched by this work. A RE-IMAGINE consultant coaches, empowers, and guides them through the project, supported by the BJE/ECE team.

What is the Cost: Time and Funds?

Lasting innovation requires an investment. Typically the leadership team meets once a month to plan agendas for the monthly task force meetings. Additional gatherings occur at key points in the process. They have an opportunity to meet, compare notes and share with other congregations as well as learn more about the process. Task force members prepare for meetings using both online and written materials. The majority of financial support for the project comes from the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and an anonymous national funder. In addition, individual congregations contribute a fee of up to $12,000 over two-and-a-half years to participate in the project.

“The family support has been tremendous,” Bass said. “We are going to get through this. It’s just a matter of time.”