Editor's Letter

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WOMEN'S

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN'

DESIGNER

A Lesson In Pluralism

CLOTHING COLLECTIONS

A

Detroit native whose family roots extend deep into
Dani tells how upset his father was when he heard that Dani's
Jewish Detroit is at the forefront of a fragile experi-
Scout troop scheduled a "work day" on Shabbat. "It was the
ment spanning Israel's divide between state-sup-
only time he ever talked about moving back to America," Dani
ported schools that are religious and those that are secular.
says.
Daniel "Dani" Elazar is executive director of Yachad
As an adult, Dani worked in finance in the high-tech
Experimental School in Modi'in. The 950-student public
industry for nine years before deciding to change careers.
school has become a significant force
From 2002 to 2004, he was enrolled at the Mandel Leadership
in this modern city that's midway
Institute in Jerusalem. MLI aims to develop influential leaders
between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The
to foster educational advancement in Israel. Dani has headed
school was founded in 2000 by parents Yachad since graduating from Mandel.
seeking an inclusive approach based
"I came to the career decision, in part, due to my grandfa-
on Jewish values. The 570 families rep- ther's influence and after many discussions we had before he
resent a diversity of Jewish and socio-
passed away in 1993:' Dani says. "He always impressed upon
economic backgrounds.
me the value of Jewish unity in Israeli society — and that we
In many ways, Dani, 40, is trying to
should base this unity on our shared Jewish heritage."
achieve the same educational objec-
tives as his grandfather, Albert Elazar,
Community Driven
who was involved with Detroit's old
The Israeli Ministry of Education designated Yechad as
United Hebrew Schools/Midrasha
"experimental." Throughout the year, there is a conscious
from 1948 to 1971. Albert was superintendent for 19 of those
effort to bring parents into the experiment. Adults can enjoy
years.
weekly activities as well as Shabbat weekends away, a hik-
Albert built a reputation for developing partnerships with
ing club and holiday celebrations. There also are discussion
local synagogues and Yiddish schools to create a plural-
groups that explore what it means to be part of a community
istic educational network tied to the Jewish Federation of
striving for unity but not infringing or passing judgment on
Metropolitan Detroit. UHS, organized in 1919, was a founding the individual choices of its members.
constituent agency of Federation in 1926. It dissolved in 1988
Every day, Dani sees examples of Yachad's pursuit: to inspire
when Federation's Agency for Jewish Education was formed.
a more unified, tolerant Israeli society through a community
By the 1960s, UHS had become the nation's largest com-
of students, parents and teachers from a variety of Jewish
munal-based Hebrew school system with its own buildings as
backgrounds. The parents fuel the engine of opportunity.
well as partner-run branches. It also had a College of Jewish
"The kids are growing up with very positive messages
Studies, a renowned Jewish library and a Hebrew-
about what it means to be living in a Jewish state
speaking summer camp. At its peak, UHS served
and how to accept Jews from all backgrounds:' Dani
4,000 students in its various programs.
says.
"My father Albert's leadership in the Jewish educa-
Yachad currently is home to preschool through
tional system in Detroit was highlighted by his abil-
junior high classes. A $1 million Meitarim Network
ity to bring various Jewish ideologies together under
grant will go toward expanding the campus to
one educational roof' says Dani's father, David, who
include a high school and a special needs school.
lives in Rishon L'Zion."It is a great pleasure for us to
Future plans call for a Judaic and general enrich-
see Dani following in his grandfather's footsteps!'
ment center. A pedagogic center will provide sup-
At Yachad, some students wear kippot and others
port and counsel for similarly modeled school com-
Israeli e ducator
don't, but all play and learn together.
munities.
Dani Ela zar
In the evening, parents of different religious
The impact could be striking.
backgrounds assemble at the school for a variety of
"Groups of parents from many communities in
activities, including Jewish learning classes, a choir,
Israel have approached us to start similar initiatives
basketball, a drama group, yoga and a Shabbat minyan.
in their towns, and we try to give them as much help and sup-
While such school scenes might not sound special to
port as we can: says Dani, who lives in Modi'in with his wife,
American Jews, they are a rarity in Israel. That's because the
Yael, and their three daughters.
Israeli education system divides religious and secular families.
The legacy of his grandfather, Albert, is never far from
"Unfortunately, over the decades, each sector has become
mind.
more entrenched in its beliefs and lifestyles:' Dani says. "And
As Dani puts it: "I think that just about everyone involved in
Israel society has become rife with religious/secular division
the Yachad community is very committed to building a more
on numerous issues!'
tolerant and open society in Israel. And I feel very fortunate to
be a part of it.
The Formative Years
"I know my grandfather would be proud."
Dani's parents, Ruthi and David Elazar, made aliyah in 1970,
Dani Elazar has every reason to feel that way. El
when Dani was 3. About a year later, Albert followed. In 1972,
Albert received the Jewish Agency for Israel's Zalman Shazar
0 • What are the top challenges for a
I — •
Award for his contribution to Zionist education and culture in
W
IX pluralistic school?
the diaspora, especially Detroit.
I0
—
Dani and his two siblings attended secular schools and
Z z Is Jewish Detroit home to a truly
took part in secular youth groups while growing up in Rishon
0 0 pluralistic school?
a. 0-
L'Zion. At times, the religious/secular divide was confounding.

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January 10 2008

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