Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Who are the stakeholders?
Congregation Beth Shalom and Congregation Rodef Shalom’s Boards are committed to providing a stellar supplemental Jewish educational program for our children. Involvement by representatives from our school community will be essential to this process.
How did J-JEP come about and why?
Lay Leaders and the Rabbis of both congregations began meeting in 2011 to discuss venues and opportunities for collaboration between the two congregations. During the course of discussions the leadership recognized that there were opportunities for adult and youth collaborative programs. The leaders along with the Rabbis constitute what is known as J-JEP’s Steering Committee.
The leadership team collaborated to develop ways that the religious school experience could be enriched by integrating our children in a Joint Jewish Educational Program.
Why did this collaboration begin? Who approved it?
Rabbi Bisno wrote an article about Courageous Conversations that appeared in The Jewish Chronicle. Rabbi Bisno called upon Jewish organizations to seek ways to work together. Beth Shalom’s Former Rabbi, Rabbi Werbow, and the leadership of Beth Shalom have been meeting with groups to seek collaboration in the community at large. Both Congregational Boards approved the initiatives of seeking to collaborate with one another with an eye towards integrating our religious schools.
How did the two congregations begin collaboration?
During the 2011-2012 school year, the two communities brought their 7th grade classes together on Sundays for Judaic classes. During that year they studied Jewish Ethics, History and Culture and participated in Social Action activities. The following school year we brought together all of our Kindergarten through 7th grade students for Sunday Religious School programming.
Has this program been successful? How do we know the program works?
What is the role of the J-JEP committee?
Who hires the teachers?
Who decides the curriculum?
Who is eligible to participate in this school?
Will our students learn the various perspectives held by our respective movements?
Is there a role for families?
What about Bar and Bat Mitzvah programs and classes?
When and where are classes held?
What about youth programming?