Jewish Education

Our Jewish future begins with accessible and affordable education. It continues with engaged, passionate leaders. See how your investment in Jewish education for all ages and abilities advances our collective community.

$2,000,000+

invested in our community’s Jewish education system.

“Our role is to be accepting of everyone. This is teaching our children to see Max as a child, just as they are, with the same needs. He’s different, and yet he’s very much the same.”

– Ora Cohen Rosenfeld

Director, Bender JCC Early Childhood Center

Hear Max’s story

750

early childhood educators from Greater Washington Jewish schools attend Federation’s annual Early Childhood Education Conference to study acclaimed educational approaches and plan yearly curriculum.

“I am constantly amazed by the ways in which my children show their appreciation and understanding of not only our family’s traditions, but also the variety of Jewish traditions celebrated by their friends and the wider community.”

– Vicki F.

Gesher Jewish Day School Parent

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School students are learning from their peers in Israel

Thanks to Federation’s Imagine Israel initiative, high school students at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School had the opportunity to learn with and from their peers at a Jewish Israeli school and an Arab Israeli school. The school educational partnership was facilitated by The Abraham Fund Initiatives. The students on both sides of the globe participated in a “Dialogue Through Cinema” course throughout the Spring 2018 semester, in which they explored issues of social identity.

“I saw this as a symbol of hope for a joined future. It was important to me that the students connect with one another, so they could learn from teenagers like themselves. I believe that, when we get to know each other on a personal level, we are more inclined to listen to others and have empathy, even if we do not think or see things the same way.”

—Shelli P., Hebrew Teacher, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

3,275

people learned about the history of the Jewish community in Greater Washington through book talks, walking tours, concerts and lectures.

32

area congregational schools received an Initiative in Congregational Education grant to provide grassroots support to their religious schools, and serve as a catalyst in transforming education programs.

200+

teens have participated in Israel educational programs including Talk Israel and Israel Engagement Fellowship that equips them with the knowledge, experience and confidence to address tough topics regarding Israel.

“I didn’t know Hebrew when I began studying at the Bender JCC five years ago, but I wanted to converse with my Israeli granddaughter during visits to Israel. For me, studying Hebrew has been an awakening of Jewish culture, and I have become better acquainted with my heritage.

The lessons are also meaningful as I compose music and sing in the Washington Hebrew Congregation choir, because I have always wanted to understand the words I sing and use in composition, and the spirit — the ‘Jewish soul’ — behind the language.”