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lan For All Ages

Federation's "Strategic Vision" report targets
Jewish learning and identity.

DIANA LIEBERMAN

StaffWriter

ith the publication of
a slim, spiral-bound
volume, the Jewish
IVIIT Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit is aiming to
revitalize learning for the entire
Jewish community.
"The question we have been
wrestling with is how to get more
of our population involved in
something Jewish. Our hope is that
everybody connects with the Jewish
community in different ways at dif-
ferent times, with access and entry
points for everybody whenever they
want to," said Robert Naftaly, co-
chair of Federation's Alliance for
Jewish Education. "This strategic
plan is the culmination of a process
we went through."
The process started with a
report to Federation by the Jewish
Education Service of North
America in 1998. The JESNA
report made sweeping recommen-
dations, such as directing the
newest and best educational
resources to schools; increasing
outreach to interfaith families;
adding more intensive adult educa-
tion; and improving the status of
teachers, including more ongoing
professional development.
JESNA's strongest recommenda-
tion was for Federation to establish
the Alliance to work on education-
al-planning initiatives. At the same
time, the existing Agency for
Jewish Education would remain as

Related editorial: page 63

the provider of direct services, fill-
ing in details and carrying out
specifics of JESNA's recommenda-
tions.
By December 1999, Federation's
new Alliance had formed five work
groups, each led by an Alliance
member. The groups were Adult
Education, led by Bernard Mindell;
B'nai Mitzvah/Teens, led by Robert
J. Gordon; College/Young Adult,
led by Arthur Horwitz; Lower and
Upper Elementary, led by Gary
Torgow; and Preschool, led by Dr.
Joan Lessen-Firestone.
The Alliance report created by
this process outlines three major
community initiatives.
The young family initiative
focuses on families with children
ages 0-3, looking at what these
families and the teachers of their
children want and need. The fami-
ly educators program expands and
individualizes the Jewish
Experiences For Families program,
placing JEFF professionals in syna-
gogues and agencies and emphasiz-
ing their roles with young families.
Sharing center stage with these
two major initiatives is Synagogue
2000. Developed at the University
of Judaism in Los Angeles,
Synagogue 2000 offers congrega-
tions of all types the tools to adapt
their structures, liturgy, music, edu-
cation and general policies to make
them meaningful to people of all
ages.
"The idea here is to create a
community through the Alliance,"
said Dr. Lynda Giles, who co-chairs
the educational body with Naftaly.
"We are hearing again and again
how comprehensive and significant

this work is corn-
preschool programs.
pared to work !Dern
"Preschool is such a
done elsewhere,
profound and basic
how we are struc-
place to begin," Giles
: Luring, looking at
said.
the total picture.
Preschool parents are
"Backing us up,
usually searching for a
we have this mar-
community for them-
velous support of
selves and their chil-
the Federation and
dren, the report states.
the United Jewish
They are trying to be
Foundation [of
the best parents they
1 Metropolitan
can be, and they are
Detroit]; we have
extremely receptive to
major donors; syna-
advice on creating a
gogues and rabbis.
Jewish home and
My sense is this is
observing Jewish rituals
not always the case
as a way to strengthen
throughout the
family bonds.
country," she said.
"If the little ones say,
In all, more than
`Mom, let's light
80 diverse commu-
Shabbos candles,' Mom
nity members
is likely to comply,"
worked on the five
Giles said.
work groups. Their
Current research
goal was to plan a
Top: Robert Naftaly
about how people learn
gradual transforma-
shows the significance
: tion of Detroit-area
Above: Dr. Lynda Giles
of very early learning
Jewish education in
patterns. These include
about three years.
not only formal educa-
"We decided to look at the fam-
tional situations, but also exposure
ily, not just its components. Then
to sights, sounds, smells and tastes.
all the groups made recommenda-
Finally, by the time children are
tions," Naftaly said. "The first
in second grade, parents have gen-
thing that came out was that we
erally decided whether or not to
needed to work with preschoolers
continue with religious education,
first."
said Harlene Appelman, Alliance

Preschools Count

Of an estimated 5,000 local
1 preschool-age Jewish children,
committee members found that
only 34 percent — about 1,700
children — are enrolled in Jewish

director.
The biggest impediment to
attracting and keeping children in
the system is a shortage of qualified
teachers — a shortage that runs
from preschool through adulthood.
Causes include very low salaries
and benefits as well as low status in

9/15

2000

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