Earlier this week, I had a chance to meet a group of Hebrew language educators from our community Jewish day schools. These teachers participated in professional development workshops sponsored by Hebrew at the Center to enrich Hebrew language instruction. With support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, they also learned together with 12 Jewish day schools from the Pacific Northwest located in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Jewish day schools, beyond Hebrew instruction, are important because they provide a comprehensive education that combines rigorous academics with a strong focus on Jewish learning, identity, and values. They offer a unique environment where students can develop a deep connection to Judaism and their Jewish heritage, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Jewish day schools also play a crucial role in preparing students to become engaged, informed, and responsible Jewish leaders in the future. 

Both of my children attended Jewish day school. We did so for a variety of reasons, including small class sizes, Hebrew learning, and an academic experience steeped in the Jewish tradition of critical thinking and ethical behavior. There is truly something for everyone.

Here's a more detailed look at why Jewish day schools are important:

Nurturing Jewish Identity and Connection:

• Jewish day schools provide a daily immersion in Jewish culture, history, and values, helping students develop their own Jewish identity. 
• Through life cycles and holiday rituals, students are grounded in a community with a common language and shared experiences. 

Fostering Jewish Learning and Literacy:

• Jewish day schools offer robust opportunities for classroom learning in Hebrew and Jewish studies, helping students gain age-appropriate Jewish literacy skills. 
• Students develop a deep understanding of Jewish history, culture, and values, enabling them to articulate the story of the Jewish people. 

Developing Lifelong Friendships and Community:

• Jewish day schools create a sense of community for students to form lifetime friendships with peers who share their values and experiences. 
• Jewish day schools can be a place where families develop new friendships and find support within the school community. 

Preparing Students for the Future:

• Jewish day schools provide a strong academic foundation, preparing students for college and future careers. 
• They instill in students a sense of global citizenship and encourage them to be informed and engaged in global issues, including those affecting Israel. 
• They cultivate future Jewish leaders by teaching students about Jewish values, ethics, and moral responsibility. 

Promoting Empathy and Understanding:

• Students learn to be upstanders and have the courage to be proud Jews while also developing empathy for others. 

Research shows that Jewish day school alumni on college campuses consistently report stronger ties to their Jewish identity, a deeper connection to Israel, and greater participation in Jewish life during their college years. Simply put, Jewish day school begins the building blocks of our Jewish future. Here’s the data:

• Day school alumni are more than twice as likely (81%) to say Jewish identity is very important to them compared to those who did not attend day school (35%)
• Fifty-six percent of Jewish day school alumni feel “very close” to the Jewish community right now, compared to 19% of Jewish college students who did not attend Jewish day school
• Jewish college students who attended Jewish day school (61%) are four times more likely to feel a strong connection to Israel, compared to those who did not attend Jewish day school (16%)
• Twice as many Jewish day school alumni engage in Jewish life on campus regularly (53% compared to 23% who did not attend day school)

One of the most profound and underappreciated aspects of Jewish day school education is how its impact ripples out from the student across the whole family. Numerous studies have demonstrated that when children attend Jewish day schools, their parents often deepen their involvement in Jewish learning, rituals and community life. In this way Jewish day school is more than a place of individual learning; it is a driver of Jewish life across generations.

At their core, Jewish day schools fulfill their promise to nurture and educate those who will care about, continue, and create Jewish life for the next generation. Now is the perfect time for families to check out our three excellent Jewish day schools: Maayan Torah Day School, Portland Jewish Academy, and Tamim Academy of Portland. I know they would love to meet with you.

Please join the Jewish Federation for its 105^th Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 12 at 4:30 p.m.. We will share our accomplishments for the year and honor Mindy Zeitzer for her three years of service as our Chair of the Board. Register here.

The first six months of the new Gather Grant program have been terrific! Over 90 hosted programs bringing hundreds of people together in community. Gather Grants provide up to $120 support your get together with Jewish friends, family or neighbors. Think of all the fun summer opportunities -- hikes, picnics, outdoor adventures, Shabbat, and more. Any Jewish-identifying individual, family, couple or group wishing to host a program between June 15 – August 31 can apply here. (Grants are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.)

The Jewish Women's Round Table (JWRT) annually recognizes outstanding women volunteers from various Jewish organizations and congregations in Oregon and Southwest Washington with the Song of Miriam Award. I am pleased to share that the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Song of Miriam recipient is Randi Rosenfield (pg. 4).

Randi Rosenfield is a passionate, committed volunteer who serves as co-chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Israel Advocacy Committee. She has been an asset to the Federation in responding to growing antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in our K-12 public schools and on college campuses. We are delighted to honor Randi with this prestigious award.

Finally, it all began 221 years ago this week. May 14, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their expedition from St. Louis to explore the northwest. Eighteen months later, they arrived at the Pacific Ocean. On September 23, 1806, the expedition finally returned to St. Louis (they traveled close to 8,000 miles) with information about the region (most already inhabited by Native Americans) and U.S. claims to the Oregon Territory.

Shabbat shalom and look for the Jewish Federation booth at Sunday Parkways in SW Portland.