photo courtesy of ePublicist
Almost every day I experience a huge disconnect between my reality and the world of foundations and philanthropy.
I would like someone to take note that the Jewish community consists of more stakeholders than students at Jewish day schools and summer camps.
I am not always in the mood to respond, but I have to, because I believe that I’m speaking for those who are not speaking for themselves: Jewish teens who are not attending day schools.
Really, do any teens, let alone Jewish teens, need someone to speak out on their behalf? Since when are teens quiet? On the contrary, teens are usually outspoken and full of comments about everything.
But it’s not their job to keep up with the Jewish educational world, it’s mine. So, I apologize if this post seems redundant and quite similar to things you’ve read before. I am not dropping this issue, even if it means no one will read about it any more.
I do need to advocate for the thousands of Jewish teens out there that are not currently enrolled in day school. I think day schools are a fine option for those families who have made that choice. As Jewish educators we generally believe in the ‘more is better’ axiom.
But for those teens who have opted for a different educational setting, there is little attention/money/support paid to them.
This is how my online experience usually goes: I might get a Google Alert. Or I read about a new program/initiative/study/ that is usually directed toward day school students/Jewish camps/Israel trips.
For example, today I read about a great program, supported the Legacy Heritage Fund Limited, that along with Yeshiva University, places young and innovative teachers in day schools and mentors them for a few years with workshops, additional training opportunities, and other support systems.
This is a great idea, no? Who would say that such a thing is not necessary? It is what the Jewish community should be doing to support young and motivated educators so that they stay connected to the Jewish community and act as role models for those yet in school.
Okay, so here is how I see it: there are thousands of students in supplementary Jewish high schools, and many who graduate in twelfth grade are teaching in those same schools when they get to college. The harsh reality, is that most receive very little support and/or mentoring. Often, they leave after just a few years, burnt out and never to return.
These are often the best, brightest, and most Jewishly committed students who may have held regional board positions in their youth groups, may have chosen to attend Jewish camps for the summer, and may have been on several Israel trips. Their downfall is that they haven’t attended a Jewish day school.
Sometimes I get tired of sounding the same note in an unbroken melody post after post. One thing hasn’t changed: the number of American Jewish students attending Jewish day schools outside the ultra-Orthodox community has barely budged, yet the Jewish community has not re-oriented itself. This has been reported in numerous places. Even Michael Steinhardt was quoted as saying that the lack of growth in the day school population is “sad, sad, sad.”
So, what do I want? I want these Jewishly committed teens to get the attention they deserve. Do we really think we’re building community by not paying attention to these ‘orphans’ in the Jewish educational field?