Jewish Portal of Teacher Education

Source: HaYidion – Autumn 2014

The foci of this issue of HaYidion are mission and vision. What are our ethics, culture and goals as supporters and sustainers of Jewish education? How do we justify our existence in this new century when, as Rabbi Daniel Lehmann, our conference keynote speaker and lead author, says, “Much of the thought and language that animates contemporary Jewish day schools does not sufficiently capture the imagination of 21st century North American Jews”? How do we make ourselves meaningful and relevant when the very underpinnings of our way of life are being called into question?

This issue of HaYidion is unique. Rabbi Lehmann’s essay, “Beyond Continuity, Identity and Literacy: Making a Compelling Case for Jewish Day Schools to 21st Century American Jews,” forms the basis for a series of brilliant responses that both reinforce and challenge his assertions. Some of our most renowned thought leaders share their expertise and wisdom in thoughtful, thought-provoking and compelling essays that challenge us to reimagine our very core. We tackle the issues on a spectrum from the conceptual to the pragmatic perspectives, from the views of the Rebbe to the concerns of a head of school facing a challenge to the established order. We believe that you will find this issue fascinating, relevant and uplifting and we welcome you to join us in this existential conversation.

Among the articles in this issue are:

• Beyond Continuity, Identity and Literacy: Making a Compelling Case for Jewish Day Schools to 21st Century American Jews - Daniel L. Lehmann
• The Creativity Imperative - Miriam Heller Stern
• A Compelling, Yet More Demanding, Vision for 21st Century Day Schools - Michael S. Berger
• Enacting the Case: A Response from a Practitioner’s Perspective - Susie Tanchel
• Pluralism: An Inquiry - Steven Lorch
• Pluralism, Ethnos, Creativity and Israel - Shaul Magid
• A Mission and Vision of the Present - Rivy Poupko Kletenik
• A New Theory of Vision - Jon Levisohn
• Mission Statements from our Schools
• The Power and Practice of Visioning - Robert Leventhal
• Crafting Effective Mission and Vision Statements - Ray Levi
• Establishing an Integrated Community and School in Israel -Ayelet Lehman
• Leadership Lessons from the Rebbe - Interview with Joseph Telushkin
• Mission Driven Teachers - Tzivia Garfinkel
• From Mission Statement to Disciplinary Policy - Mark H. Shpal
• Partnering with Parents: It’s All About Mission - Alli Debrow
• Giving Our Missions a Why - Jeffrey Schrage
• The Pluralistic Mission in Everyday Practice - Eliana Lipsky
• Building Community Using Mission Statements - Menachem Hecht and Pinchos Hecht
• Complexity Leadership for Complex Day Schools - Sharon Pollin