Marc and I were writing to each other last night.  I am still in NYC and he is in Sharon.  We both agreed that what keeps us up at night is the question of affordability.  Philosophically, there is so much we can do with our school.  We have such talented and dedicated teachers and staff, our mission and vision are powerful and motivating.  But, in this economy, even with the very high amount of financial assistance we give out, many families are still finding that they simply cannot afford a day school education.  They often leave in tears because they understand the investment in the future they are making by sending their children to Jewish day school.  But they simply cannot do it and no matter how much we try to help, it will not be enough.   And each time this happens, it hurts. 

Our school, like other schools, needs an endowment that helps us keep our tuition costs from rising.  We cannot depend on tuition alone to meet our costs.   We are not a fancy school.  We do not spend money on frills.  But, it is still an expensive endeavor.   That is true despite the fact that we have non-tuition income from our fantastic camp, from renting our gym, and from our tenants.  That is true despite the fact that our teachers and staff are underpaid. 

We believe so strongly in what we do but we truly have to work with the greater community to find ways to make day school affordable.   CJP, our local Federation, has been tirelessly working to make a difference in helping middle income families afford day school education.  We applaud that work and hope that their plans come to fruition.  We believe in day school education.  We believe it is not only holy work but it is a way to ensure the future of our people.  We also believe that we prepare our children well for their next educational stop in life.  We want our students to graduate from our school.  Hearing our graduates speak on the last day of school is a way to hear the emotions and the growth that each of our students experience.  The Israel trip in 8^th grade is a highlight of their time at our school.  The learning in 8^th grade caps their years at SASSDS and helps them lead toward success as they go out from our doors. 

I am not writing a resolution in this posting.  I am writing about what keeps me up at night.  I am writing because we want to retain our students and keep our school economically viable despite the obstacles that each family faces.   I am writing because each child that enters our school is a child whom we hope will graduate from our school.

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School

I am writing while on a lunch break from a course I am taking at Northeastern University as part of my doctoral studies.  The class is entitled Educational Entrepreneurship and in the class are 18 other students who come primarily from the public school arena from multiple states.  Being in an all-day class that is discussion and presentation based has given me a chance to think and reflect—the ideal summer time activity!

Entrepreneurial educational activity is not a new concept for me, nor is it new for our school; what has been most striking to me as I sit in this course though, is the constant refrain from my fellow students as to how hard it is to do what needs to be done for students—even when all agree on what needs to be done! 

I can’t imagine a school that is not entirely focused on what students need and is able to create and implement a plan.  The job of a teacher is to figure out what our students’ needs are and how we are going to meet them.  An outcome of Jane’s visionary leadership is that our school supports this way of thinking in both philosophy and practice.  Providing our students with what they need to learn all that they can and to be all that they can be, is ingrained in the hearts of each teacher and everyone who works in our school.

As we move further into our leadership transition, I look forward to sharing my entrepreneurial spirit, excitement, and vision with you.  I came to SASSDS because my philosophy and vision of Jewish education are in sync with Jane and with the school and I am looking forward to working with our teachers, students and parents as we bring our school, its philosophy, vision and spirit to new heights, building on an incredibly solid foundation.  

One of the areas that I want to explore in our blog and through conversations is how we, as a school, will continue our focus on meeting the needs of each individual student through differentiated instruction, so that each of our children will continue to grow and thrive.  I also want to share the things that Jane and I are putting into place to ensure that our core commitment to educating every student continues well into the future.  I am strongly committed to the belief that each student learns in different ways and that the best education is focused on helping and guiding each student to be all that they can be.

 There are many other things that are on my mind as well to share, but I would love to hear from you about some of the areas that you are contemplating or wondering about our school or about me as we continue, or even begin, our journey together in the school.

 Marc Medwed

Associate Head of School

This blog entry is in loving memory of my brother, David Taubenfeld, z’l, whose birthday is today. 

David taught me to be a teacher who saw the good in every child.  He taught me to understand differences and to celebrate them.  He was one of the brightest and most outgoing person I ever knew, but he also saw the world with the most creative eyes and never responded to life in a conventional way. 

When he was healthy, as my baby brother, I spoke to him almost daily and he encouraged me as I reached out to children and grew in my career and in my personal educational philosophy.  Many a time, I would write something for our school audience, send it to him, and he would send it out to his mailing list of 800. 

When he became sick, he became even more spiritual and believed that mitzvoth were the way he was meant to spend the rest of his life.  He chose mitzvoth that helped others, that made others feel better, and that made the world a better place.  The number of people who were (and still are) touched by him are too many to count.   

I am writing this in his memory and from a place of true love to my brother, and to thank him for inspiring me in what I believe to be right for children.

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School

Today in our class (in NY) we were studying some Torah.  We were learning about Moshe striking the rock.  Moshe just lost his sister, he had been spending time thinking about vision and higher level thoughts, and the children of Israel come complaining that they have no water and he is angry and at a loss-  God helps him and he strikes the rock when he should have simply held the staff and water would have come.   There are many issues around this text, particularly known because this is the reason given for God not allowing Moshe to lead the people into the Promised Land.   Whether this is because Moshe is not the right leader or because he has shown a lack of faith publicly is not what I want to discuss in this piece. 

Please, as you read further, do not in any way think that I am comparing myself to Moshe Rabeinu, Moses Our Teacher.  I am learning from this story and relating it to our school.  So, I kind of wish that Moshe had known himself that he was ready to move on-  that he had given his life to the leadership of the people and he was tired and ready to step down.  I kind of wish he had chosen his end of leadership on his own and could feel completely satisfied with what he had accomplished and thus the people could thank him and show gratitude.  And Moshe would not be frustrated when the people complained they were thirsty because a new and fresh leader would be in his place.  

OK, so I am not so subtle in my writing.   I am not coming into my last year because of complaining.  But I do feel that I am close to being ready for a new leader to carry out our mission, to bring us to the next phase of our school, and to build the future.  I am excited that our school had the forethought to bring Marc into the school to become a part of ‘our people’ before taking over the leadership.

 We have a year for Marc to get to know you better and for you to get to know Marc.  Marc is dedicated to that.  We also have more time for Marc to understand our institution’s history and what is the essence of who we are.  This is all a gift.  In most schools, a Head of School leaves and a new Head comes on and they sometimes have a month to talk to each other and to transition.  We truly have already had a year and have another year for this transition.  Marc and I (and the Board) are partners in the future of our school.  We are all committed to having the best school we can have, building beyond the future of our school, into the future of our people. 

No.  I am not Moshe and Marc is not Yehoshua (Joshua) but we are going to be the best leaders we can be through this transition year and beyond.  We are counting on our parents and students as our partners and will have many ways to check in throughout the year.

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School

I keep thinking about Arnie Eisen’s message about day schools-  meaning and community, building towards peoplehood.   One of the thoughts that has been swirling around in my mind is that our schools have to be built around passion- perhaps passion for meaning, community, and peoplehood. 

As someone who has been leading a day school for a long time and who works with future leaders of Jewish day schools, we can very easily get stuck in  the mechanics of our job.  There are systems that need to be in place so that the children are learning, the communication is consistent and strong, the teachers are supported and more. Sometimes, the logistics are time consuming and overwhelming.  They can even (I hate to admit it) sometimes be frustrating.  But, when I can, I make it a point to remind myself and those whom I work with that our work itself is deep and meaningful-  I often use the word holy.   I know that in reminding others, I am also reminding myself.    We are doing work that reaches way beyond the day to day. 

When we hear great teachers like Arnie Eisen, we have to find ways to translate what he is saying into our own lives.  It is not useful for us to only think in theory, it is our job to create that reality within our school.  What is at stake is every single child in our school.  What is at stake is every single child who will come to our school.  I truly believe that. 

In the summer, when we might have a minute to think, we should be sure that we don’t lose sight of the meaning and that we strive for even more, that our future is built around a strong community of parents, children, teachers, and friends, and that we are all together in sharing the connection, being a part of the Jewish people..

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School

I know I just wrote recently but I had an experience yesterday that has motivated me to write again quickly.    At our program in New York, Dr. Arnie Eisen, the Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary , spent 45 minutes with us.  At the end of his speaking and answering questions, I watched around the room and saw the word “wow” on the lips of our group.  I am only going to write briefly about it here. 

Arnie spoke of Jewish Day Schools as needing to do two things, create communitiy and create meaning.    He said that Americans need connections and that the schools can be that connection.  He also said that we all have different needs around meaning but that schools can provide all different levels.   An interesting piece that he spoke about was peoplehood.  Why is peoplehood so important for us to teach in our schools?  Because faith is not constant -  we can have times in our lives when we believe deeply in God and times when we do not or we question, but we can still be a part of our people during these times.   So, schools need to stand for something and parents have to know (through honesty and transparency) what the schools stand for and what they don’t. 

This, of course, is a simplified version of a very deep and meaningful talk.  But so much of it relates to our school today and in the future.  We are working hard to create community.  Certainly, we have it within the school but for the parents, as I wrote recently, who live far away, we must find ways to create community for them.   Meaning…  I know that I have had the privilege of working with Marc Medwed all year to see what we truly believe in our school.  I wrote a whole blog on it a few weeks ago.  I don’t know if I ever wrote about the time when I walked around the school and asked kids what was most important to me, as Head of School.  I was so pleased to hear that they truly got that I loved Jewish life, that how we treat each other is central to our school, and that being a part of the Jewish people can mean a lot of things but ties us together.  No school can be all things to all people, but we must try to have a place that feels safe enough for us to be ourselves (meaning children and adults) and respectful enough to understand the differences in all of us, and spiritual enough that we can find meaning when we are searching. 

Dr. Eisen is a modern Jewish thinker.  He helped me find meaning yesterday and what he said resonated for me, particularly as we build our school’s future.  It was particularly powerful as he represents the Conservative Movement and we are a Schechter school, but it was also meaningful to those from schools of all kinds within our group.

I hope you are surviving the heat…..

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School.

It is a funny feeling writing in the summer because it is hard to know if anyone is reading.  But, I promised I would write and so… 

In my program, DSLTI (The Day School Leadership Training Institute), we spend our day teaching and learning and grappling with the issues facing Jewish Day Schools all over North America.  We also celebrate our successes and share our ideas.  It is not unusual for someone to ask to go out to dinner to get advice on something going on in his or her school.   It is a little surreal.   I am living in NYC, walking (even in this heat) everywhere, and talking about my passion, Jewish Day School education. 

I also am spending a lot of time thinking about our school in the future.  There is great excitement about our transition plan, the ability for Marc to become a part of our culture for two years before becoming Head of School.  In most cases, as you know, a new Head comes in without any overlap with the previous Head.  We wanted to do this differently because we believe that our school is unique and we wanted Marc to know the children, teachers, parents, and culture before he is in charge.  This is an investment in the future of our school.   I am looking toward a smooth transition and the ability for our school to continue to stand for all that is important to us.   Marc and I are looking forward to another year of working together so that I can make sure that the parts of my job that are in my head are transferred to his. 

You also play a part in our future.  Your commitment to our school, your loyalty to our school, your communication with our school, all help us do the best job we can do.  Having your children in our school, each and every one of them, is a covenant with you that we are partners in building the future.  We will do all that we can to meet your child’s needs, to work with you as our partners, and to learn and grow professionally so that we are fresh and excited about teaching and learning and so that we continue to create a spiritual core to our school. 

One area we still need work on (because it is so complicated) is how to help families who live further away from the school feel like they are a part of the community.   We have tried a number of things but we are really open to ideas.  It is hard to do play dates that require rush hour driving, but it is less difficult to invite a family to dinner on a Sunday or to have a child who lives far away sleep over, or to have a get together of families in a grade.  All of these ideas are just the beginning of what can be done.  Please write in your ideas to this blog.. let’s share them and try to explore this essential issue. 

OK, I am teaching in a little while, after I walk my 40 blocks….thinking about how exciting the future of our school looks.  I truly look forward to hearing from you.  I know that a lot of you prefer to write my email, but maybe summer time is a time of risks… give replying on the blog a shot!

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School

I am off to New York  for my yearly month of mentoring and teaching at the Day School Leadership Training Institute.  It is indescribable -  the experience of working with future leaders of Jewish Day Schools.  There is a passion and a desire for learning that is palpable and there is such hope.  Those of us lucky enough to work with each cohort of DSLTI are rejuvenated and have great faith in what our mentees will bring to the day school world. 

When I am out of the school, I am still in contact multiple times a day via email or phone (if necessary), but it is different.  I am re-learning theory and problem solving and meeting with others who are doing the same.  I am then excited to bring it back to our school.  On-going learning is an underlying premise in the way we work at the South Area Solomon Schechter, and this teaching experience is one of the best learning experiences I could ever have.  This is my sixth summer at DSLTI and the professional growth increases each time. 

I am wondering if this summer will be different.  As Marc Medwed (a graduate of DSLTI) and I continue working together for the coming year, will I be searching for all that I can bring back for him?  What is going on in other day schools around the country?  What new insights do I have to our practice?    The more exploration into these ideas, the better for our teachers and the better for our students. 

I am looking forward to New York and to my learning.  Remember that our school never closes-  the office is open all summer.  Our camp, Sheer Arts, is already terrific!  Recruitment continues to move forward.  The teachers are in their classrooms getting ready for their new students.  The new Team Leaders are working together to create a new model to lead our school.   And we have to remind ourselves to breathe, to take in the summer air, to take a walk and to reflect on the year that was as we anticipate the year to come..   We do not want to rush it, but it is not long before we will open the car doors on the first morning, and see the bright faces of our students eager for a new year.

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School

Not even a week out of school, and I miss the kids.  I am not sure if I have ever written about this before but what I love most about being a Head of School is being around the kids, interacting with them, caring about them, teaching them, modeling for them, joking with them, praying with them, and watching them grow into young adults.   Of course, summer is great and we need the summer to rejuvenate and to work to prepare for next year, but the school always feels funny without the students. 

When I think of my life after SASSDS, one year from now, I wonder what it will be like to not be so involved in the wellbeing of children. A lot of you have spoken to me about what I do for children, but children also do something for me.  Quite simply, they make me happy, fulfilled, and move me spiritually.  

I wrote in my last entry about the holiness of Jewish Day School work but, I am not sure I emphasized it enough.   We are commanded to teach our children.  We learn to teach children according to their own way.  We could find text after text about teaching our children.  It is obvious that the only way to ensure the future of Judaism is through our children.  We have to work hard to make sure that we are always improving our work so that we are reaching more children and making a difference for more children. 

I knew when I was a little girl that I wanted to work with children.  When my brothers were born, seven and eleven years younger than I, I taught them, hung out with them, and created my first students.  One brother was calm and easy going.  He was the first.  I made up songs for him to learn to spell his name and his math facts, and later sat with him as he learned to daven and helped him with the words.  My youngest brother, z’l, was not quite as easy to teach.  He was smart as could be but could not sit still.  So, I used to have him dance while he learned or jump up and down, or run around the house.  I did not know that I was using strategies that I would later study.  I simply accepted that this was the way he learned.  And now, there are hundreds of children who all learn differently and it is our job to find the ways that they learn and challenge them.  It is funny that I knew that from a young age and have been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of a community of learners and teachers who employ this philosophy every day. 

This is not a blog entry like my others.. it is a little bit of rambling.  I think it is just that it is early on Sunday morning and I am thinking about the children who go to our school or who have gone to our school and I am proud of them and miss them.   I will keep writing over the summer but let me still wish you a wonderful summer…

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School

Over the years, I have written snippets about why Jewish Day School is such an important investment for parents and for donors.  But I do not believe I have done so for a long time and certainly not since I started writing on this blog.  I want to do it today as we are about to graduate a group of amazing kids and as we look to our incoming classes.  I want to do it today as we are building the future of our school.  I want to do it today because if you are wondering why you invest so much money in this enterprise,  it may be time to think about all the returns.  

As I look back over the past 20 years, I have seen a changing Jewish world- one in which people are searching to belong and to find their way but not willing to belong unless they feel they can thrive and grow spiritually within an institution.   A Jewish Day School is a place that helps children and families find their place through learning and experience and through connection.  In our school, we have built a place that we hope strives towards a number of ways to connect, to teach, and to build experiences.  I will speak of some of them shortly.  It is through connecting, teaching, and building experiences that we are building the Jewish future for our people and (equally important) building the Jewish future within the individual child who attends the school.  Inside of that child should be a sense of acceptance, of spiritual beginnings, of questioning, of love, of trust, of belonging all within a Jewish context, all within a place where we are in this endeavor together and all within a place that is constantly reflecting and noticing what that child needs to continue on the path. 

So what are some of the ways we can build and connect: 

• Inclusion  I know that many see inclusion as a way of meeting the needs of all kinds of learners and this is (as you know) a passion of mine.  However, I see inclusion as a way of accepting all Jews and celebrating our differences and understanding our differences and building community with all that is unique and powerful about the diversity of our people and of our children.   Every time we turn a child away (in my opinion), we are rejecting that child, and probably that family, from the Jewish people.  Even if we are a relatively small day school in Norwood, Massachusetts, we have reconnected so many families to their Judaism because we have accepted them and seen the beauty and potential in each of them.  This is not altruistic work-  this is God’s work-   We are created in the image of God and that means each and every one of us-  whether we learn differently,  go to a different synagogue, go to no synagogue, are comfortable financially, struggle financially, have a typical family or have an atypical family.     I wish that meant that we had the resources to include everyone, but it does mean that we can make inroads into a world that is a little afraid of moving outside the box.
• Community  It is no longer true that we can have a school that closes at the end of the day and everyone goes home until the next morning and our job is done.  We are in contact with parents and students for hours and hours a day outside of school, helping with the little things, reaching out for the big things, and connecting to the families and making sure they know we care.   A day school is a community.  In building our school, one of the things that we worked towards was creating that sense that we felt when we were children in camp.  Of course, we don’t live there, but we need to look at the whole individual, not only the learning individual.  We need to keep working harder on community as our families are spread so far from the school.  As a school that began from just a small geographic pull to a place that has over 30 communities, this is a challenge and one we should not drop.   It is also important to state that parents need help.  What used to happen at the kitchen table, very often happens in school.  Pre-schools have changed to more academic formats which puts more on the school to take on when children enter.  All of these opportunities build into community.
• Learning Creating literate Jews is critical to our future.  So many are deciding on their Jewish lives without the knowledge base that we can help ensure.  In fact, they are rejecting a Judasim they know little about and are unaware of the wealth and depth that our tradition contains and the guidance and support that can be found within.  Let our children make their decisions with literacy in Jewish text and experience with Jewish learning.  Let their love of Israel be based on learning and experience.  Bring them to Israel… there is no classroom experience that matches it. Would we expect them to go to college without knowing math?  Is reading Shakespeare a right of passage?  So, too, is learning our sources.  By the way, having strong General Studies education, excellence in science and math, deep study of literature and social studies, and the arts within a Jewish setting all help build our Jewish future.
• Heart Over the years as a Head of School, I have found that the best way to bring children and their families in is through making sure you have them in your heart-  by reaching out, by noticing their joy and their sadness, by helping them grow in understanding themselves…. I believe that as a Jewish educator, connecting all of this heart with their Jewish home away from home, helps build our Jewish future.  It is also modeling a world we  are striving to create and helping to build the skills in our kids for them to help make it happen.  

I could quote all the studies on how day schools make a huge difference in Jewish continuity.  I could talk about the education, the dedication and expertise of our teachers (a subject I could write about forever) and I could talk about a myriad of other philosophical and spiritual parts of the day school experience.   But for this morning, this is what is on my mind… 

Jane Taubenfeld Cohen

Head of School