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Repairing Education

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With a critical evaluation of the
Agency for Jewish Education in hand,
leaders offer a new structure.

AJE in this area, and most congrega-
tional educators have very limited
Staff Writer
awareness or familiarity with a num-
ber of services listed under the AJE
rmed with a sharply critical
teen services department."
outside evaluation of the
School Services, whose mission it is
Agency for Jewish
to
provide
quality professional enrich-
Education of Metropolitan
ment
and
educational
resources to
Detroit, Federation leaders this week
teachers,
reaped
positive
feedback for
unveiled a plan they said would
its
NIRIM
and
Taste
of
Honey
in-ser-
address the worst problems of the
vice
programs
for
teachers,
but
the
embattled agency.
report
noted
that
the
impact
of
these
The critique, by the Jewish
programs
on
teacher
behavior
and
stu-
Education Service of North America
dent learning cannot be determined.
(JESNA), not only gives mediocre to
According to the report, dissatisfac-
bad marks to some of the agency's
tion
with AJE's "lack of attention" to
largest programs, but it finds a "fuzzi-
the
Educational
Resource Center is
ness" in overall planning for programs
"vocal
and
widespread.
Educators say
and services. Only AJE's program for
that
it
is
not
accessible,
not main-
special needs education received uni-
tained
and
not
current."
versally favorable ratings.
Although respondents were satis-
Presenting the report Monday,
§ fled with Jewish Experiences For
Federation and AJE leaders out-
± Families' community-wide events,
lined a restructuring plan they said
g
like a family reading program and
would strengthen Federation-AJE
Jewish arts and crafts programs,
ties and demonstrate that educa-
they were unsure whether the pro-
tion is Federation's highest priority.
grams "lead to further involvement
_ The proposal, developed over
and growth," and said "the program
the past few months by Federation
has not developed beyond its origi-
President Bob Naftaly, Federation
nal conceptualization, and perhaps
Executive Vice President Bob
has regressed."
Aronson and AJE President Dr.
Overall, respondents in the
Lynda Giles, brings the agency
study
felt AJE needed to do more
under the wing of a Federation
to
raise
the status of Jewish educa-
"mega-planning" committee for
tors
in
the
community while doing
Jewish education. It is still in out-
a
better
job
of making current,
line form, with many details — __
high-quality
Jewish educational
such as funding and staffing — yet
resources available. The evaluation
to be determined.
also noted that "relationships
The AJE board approved the
between the AJE and many agen-
proposal Monday night. It is
cies and institutions are considered
scheduled to go before the
weak."
Federation Board of Governors on
In addition to a long list of spe-
Aug. 25.
cific
suggestions, the JESNA report
The 6-year-old agency, headed
recommended
that Detroit's plan-
until recently by Howard Gelberd, JESNA Executive Vice President Dr. Jonathan Woocher talks to the AJE board Monday night.
ning
system
for
Jewish education be io
has received a rising allocation from
"substantially
strengthened.
It urged
Federation that topped $1 million
AJE
to
"place
a
much
greater
emphasis
As
for
Teen
Services,
which
aims
to
favorable ratings on all levels. "This
this year for programs that range from
on providing expertise, consultation
provide programs that bring together
area is perceived as a model of quality
Hebrew and Yiddish classes to teacher
and educational resources to help
diverse
groups
of
teens,
the
JESNA
programming
with
attention
to
com-
training. Yet, the past two years has
providers of direct educational services
report
found
"most
respondents
are
munity
needs
and
organization,"
the
seen several professionals from the
improve and expand their programs
confused about the goals and role of
report said.
agency leave, including Gelberd, who

JULIE WIENER

A

began a job in California last month.
The AJE board recently hired Judah
Isaacs, Federation's senior planning
associate, to serve as AJE's interim
executive director.
Based on more than 70 interviews
with lay and professional leaders from
the Federation, AJE, synagogues, day
schools, early childhood programs and
communal agencies involved with for-
mal and informal Jewish education,
the evaluation — authored by JESNA
staffers Leora Isaacs (no relation to
Judah Isaacs) and David Shluker —
identified dissatisfaction with many of
AJE's services.
Only the special-needs education
program, which offers Jewish educa-
tional programming for children with
learning disabilities, earned universally

The Interfaith Connection, which
aims to provide interfaith families
with the opportunity and resources to
explore their Jewish roots, was chal-
lenged for its limited outreach and
recruitment and minimal contact with
congregations.
The Midrasha Center for Adult
Jewish Learning, a program to provide
a range of learning opportunities for
Jewish adults, garnered universally
poor marks, with many respondents
reporting that there is no developmen-
tal progression for adult learners and
that nearly every offering is entry
level. Synagogue representatives noted
they do not have access to expert plan-
ning advice, facilitation or coordina-
tion to help them improve their adult
education offerings.

_2

7/17
1998

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