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EXECUTIVE'S CORNER
Here at the CJE we are also reflecting on a year of experiments, accomplishments, new initiatives, adjusted priorities, budget realities and our commitment to continuing quality improvement. Many of our achievements are related to the guidance of our officers and board, as reflected in our tribute to CJE outgoing president, Annette Saxon. Along the way, we have also collected valuable insights from our constituencies about their challenges. These become our challenges as we work to fulfill the expectations that accompany our description as the community’s central Jewish education resource and service agency. We are particularly excited about the study conducted on our behalf by JESNA (Jewish Education Service of North America). Having completed scores of key-informant interviews and focus group meetings, JESNA has provided us with an outline for future growth and responsiveness. The study includes a review of “best practices” in a number of comparable central agencies in other communities. The achievements and resources of other communities will be a wonderful resource for future planning at CJE. And future planning is our next big challenge. As Eve Kresin Steinberg assumes the presidency of CJE for the next two years, she has clearly indicated her intention to conduct a strategic planning review utilizing the findings of the JESNA study and dovetailing with The Associated’s Visioning Process. We already know that we will be devoting considerable effort to The Associated’s target areas, which include outreach to families with young children, Jewish engagement of teens, and strengthening our community’s connection to Israel. There is great excitement in the air with the beginning of The Associated/Weinberg Foundation grant for day schools. We look forward to working with all of our local day schools to assist them in complying with their requirements to access these critical resources. We also look forward to working with our congregational school colleagues to continue our discussion about the financial challenges they face. We are particularly pleased to continue our special relationship with the Charles Crane Family Foundation, which provides critical financial support for professional development, educator benefits and many of our innovative educational initiatives. We look forward to working with our new board members, our school partners, our friends and partners at The Associated and all who share our interest in advancing the community’s commitment to Jewish education. Best wishes to everyone for a warm, restful and replenishing summer! |
It is difficult to believe that we’re already at the end of another school year. Across our community, families are celebrating the advancement and graduation of students from grade to grade and, in some instances, from school to school. Faculties and school administrators are reflecting upon the year just ended, with new professional development programs, new curricula, new efforts to engage families and new facility enhancements. All of these accomplishments will be carried forward into 5768/2007-08. And so the Jewish cycle of life, as reflected in our Jewish educational calendar, goes on.