Search results for: Charter schools

Now in its ninth year, the Hebrew Public network of 13 charter schools utilizes a blend of startup philanthropic funding and state funds to offer high-quality Hebrew language education to Jewish and non-Jewish students alike. Currently, these schools run in New York, New Jersey, California, Minnesota and Washington, D.C. New schools are scheduled to open soon in Philadelphia and Staten Island.

Harlem Hebrew Language Academy Charter School in Manhattan and Sela in Washington, D.C. are among three new schools affiliated with the New York-based Hebrew Charter School Center (HCSC) opening this school year: the other one, in San Diego, opened last week. Another Hebrew charter school, Eleanor Kolitz Hebrew Academy, opened this month in San Antonio, replacing a Jewish day school.

Julie Wiener, associate editor of The Jewish Week writes about the development of after-school Judaic studies programs for students from the new Hebrew charter school movement. These private, optional programs offer a chance to engage unaffiliated Jewish children while also compensating for what is, from the Jewish community’s perspective, a major shortcoming of Hebrew charter schools: their inability to teach Bible, prayer or other religious content.

In their December 11 issue, the Forward published an opinion article from Rabbi Irving Greenberg titled “There Is No Alternative to Day Schools.” Lamenting what he sees as an increasing tendency in the Jewish community to look beyond day schools in favor of less expensive educational alternatives, Greenberg wrote: “I, too, wish there were a cheap, effective alternative to day schools — but there is not.” The Forward invited a diverse group of scholars and Jewish education specialists to respond to Greenberg’s essay. They are published in this special section— along with a response from Greenberg.