Our mission is to embody the values of this midrash, to provide a set of experiences for Jewish children and families which will nourish them spiritually, intellectually and emotionally and which will inspire them, individually and collectively, to devote themselves to service of God through Torah (study), avodah (worship) and gemilut hasadim (deeds of loving kindness).A Midrash about Our Mission
When God tells the Children of Israel in the book of Exodus, "Build me a mishcon, a sanctuary or tabernacle, that I may dwell among you," the Children of Israel reply with a question, "God, we know that you are everywhere, so why do you need us to build you a place to live?"God explains gently, "When you were young, I nurtured you like a parent. I fed you with manna, I listened to your cries, I carried you on eagle's wings out of Egypt.
"Now you are growing up and our relationship must change. As a symbol of your maturity, your independence, I am now asking you to create something that expresses your wish to care for me. I promise that it will give you great pleasure and satisfaction to be able to do this and it will show me that I have succeeded in nurturing you to adulthood."
As the Hebrew School of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, a uniquely important community in the Jewish world today, there is one other important dimension to our mission, and it is both a challenge and an opportunity. We intend to create an educational experience which is a fitting counterpart to our community at large, one that mirrors the joy, the spiritual vitality, and the authentic quest for tikkun olam (repairing the world) and tikkun ha middot (personal spiritual growth) which are the hallmarks of our community.
To fulfill this mission, we will build our efforts on the principles of Torah study expressed in the BJ Strategic Plan:
What's happening in Youth & Family Education Next Year?
Click here to read the invitation to a parent meeting with Hollis Gauss, soon to be the Director of Education (Youth & Family), about next year. Hollis hopes to meet with as many parents as possible, regardless of where their children receive their Jewish education.