In last week’s update GAJE reported on an initiative by the Yael Foundation aimed at enhancing the skills and abilities principals of Jewish schools around the world to enable them to enrich the learning experience of their respective schools.
The Foundation’s website described its mission as, “to enable a Jewish child in any city and in any community, small or large, to receive prestigious and value-oriented Jewish and general education. “As of last summer, the Yael Foundation is supporting Jewish education…in 28 countries on all continents.”
The initiative is based upon the proven notion that investing in school principals is one of the most effective ways to improve education.
This week, GAJE brings supporters’ attention to a companion piece about the importance and even the urgency of Jewish education written by Naomi Kovitz, deputy director of the Yael Foundation. Entitled, Education should be the response to the threats of our enemies – opinion,
it appeared in the Jerusalem Post on September 9.
We reproduce Kovitz’ op-ed because we share its message.
The following are brief excerpts.
“In Israel and among Jewish students around the world, our children are exposed to the horrors of war, hate, and violence, and so it is the responsibility of educators to create a space that both addresses the issues but also shelters them and creates positivity, fostering leadership and empowering the next generation of leaders.
“This allows our children to navigate the uncertainty and fears they are bombarded with at home, online and on the streets, in a more developmentally healthy manner. We often say that children are our future, and they will be tomorrow’s leaders, but we also have to consider the here and now, because today matters.
“That is why it is our foundational doctrine that all Jewish children should have access to high-quality Jewish and general education regardless of their geographic location or community size.
Especially now, with antisemitism at record levels globally, many Jewish parents around the world are removing or considering removing their children from their local schools and exploring options for Jewish educational institutions.”
Kovitz emphasizes the very important point that “every single day counts, educationally, socially and structurally, in the life of a child in school.”
Again, GAJE agrees.
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In a decision released September 10, a three-member panel of the Divisional Court agreed with the Province of Ontario that GAJE’s lawsuit for fairness in educational funding should be dismissed. GAJE will seek leave to appeal this decision.
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If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit for fairness in educational funding, please click here.
For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of underwriting the costs of the lawsuit.
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Shabbat shalom
Am Yisrael Chai
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
September 27, 2024
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 