Prioritizing Learning...For Everyone

 

Being a lifelong learner is a Jewish value. We are told to ask questions and dig deeply into life lessons.  On Monday, Schechter will be closed. Families and students will make alternate plans to allow time for teacher learning and collaboration to take place.

 

For the second year in a row, Schechter, Hebrew Academy, and Hebrew High School of New England will bring our faculties together to converse and learn with one another.  Last year, we all gathered at HHNE. Teachers from each of the three schools offered sessions about technology integration for their colleagues. The model was intentional; while outside experts can teach us all a great deal, we also have staff members with real and sophisticated expertise from whom we can leverage the same knowledge. The Federation and Foundation agreed and generously supported our first year's endeavor.

 

Last year, the Schechter Board re-worked our mission statement. A new vision was put forth and three core values were articulated (Wisdom -  Chochma, Community -  Klal Yisrael, and Good Heartedness - Lev Tov). This was not simply an exercise in board cohesion and governance; each one of the statements has to be at the very center of every decision.  The work done by the Board last year is fundamental to Schechter's ability to move forward with clarity; nothing reflects being a Jewish school better than our commitment to thoughtfully applying our mission and values at every turn.

 

This year, we are taking the time to reflect upon the values in all of our leadership discussions.  The Board begins every meeting with a " D'var Value," in which a trustee speaks in depth about one value and how it is lived at Schechter. The Educational Leadership Team uses our values as guides; more and more these values are finding their way into conversations with faculty, students and parents. As a mission-driven institution we must bring life to our mission and values every day.

 

In planning for a meaningful day of professional development, the lay leadership of the three schools began with the commonality of having Judaism at the center of our respective mission statements.  We started to assess how well each school was living their own mission.  We asked of ourselves, "Have we, as leaders, done the work to bring the nuances of each mission front and center?" "Are our staff members guided by that mission at every crossroad?"

 

On Monday, teachers from the three schools will learn how each school's mission should shape lessons plans and policy decisions. Our lay leadership will give voice to how we each achieve our missions. Howard Sovronsky, President and CEO of the Federation, and Michael Johnston, President and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation, will speak about the power each of the day schools in our community brings to help their organizations successfully achieve their missions.

 

The intention of the day is for all of the staffs to come away with a stronger sense of purpose, the ability to articulate that purpose, and most importantly, the tools to embody that purpose throughout the schools.

 

Shabbat Shalom

Andrea

On Thursday, Schechter's fifth grade class connected their studies of Moshe's leadership skills to the qualities of modern day leadership with a visit from Alan Lazowski, a leader in business and the Jewish community and a Schechter alumni parent. Prior to this visit, the students noticed in the text that while still living in Pharaoh's palace, Moshe was brave, confident, and protective, not hesitating to act, and putting others first.  However, by the time he encountered God at the Burning Bush, Moshe had become insecure, indecisive, and nervous. No longer reacting from "the gut," Moshe was now over-thinking and felt "stuck." However, God remained firm that Moshe would be a leader.

With this dichotomy in mind, the students generated a long list of insightful questions about leadership for Mr. Lazowski, drawing on their understanding of Moshe as well as their curiosity about leadership today.  Questions included: Is there a difference between leadership and control?  What do you think is your greatest strength as a leader?  Do you ever regret a decision that you made as a leader?  Did you ever act before you had time to think?  When you're a leader in need of something, whom do you ask?  When faced with many people who need your help, how do you decide who to help? Was there something or someone special who influenced you to become a leader? Are you always alone as a leader?

As Mr. Lazowski answered each question thoughtfully and respectfully, the students listened with rapt attention. At the end of the lesson, Mr. Lazowski told the students that he could already tell that the classroom was filled with caring future leaders. He advised them to learn from mentors such as parents and teachers, to truly listen to others, and to always keep their eyes open to those who might need help and support. It was a powerful lesson based in our ancient texts and brought to life by a modern-day leader in our community.