More than $166,000 has been awarded to bolster exciting, effective responses to a growing desire for Jewish learning throughout the Chicago area.

The Best Practices in Jewish Education grants, just announced by the Community Foundation for Jewish Education, are going to 13 synagogues, schools and other institutions to strengthen a remarkable array of programs geared to students from preschoolers to teens.

“I am heartened by the very range of our grant recipients,” said Debbie Berman, board chair of CJFE, a support foundation of Chicago’s Jewish United Fund. “Their diversity is matched by the variety of the projects for which they are receiving grants, each one unique in its approach to convey fundamental Jewish knowledge and values.”

“These grants help congregational and Jewish early childhood education programs build on what they already are doing well,” said Rabbi Scott Aaron, Ph.D., CFJE’s executive director. “These existing programs provide good Jewish educational experiences to their students, but too often lack sufficient funds to make a good program better or ensure it reaches more people.

“While CFJE is committed to spurring innovation in Jewish education to meet the changing needs of our kids,” Aaron said, “part of our mission is to help facilitate incremental enhancements in what these schools do well for their students, rather than make major changes to how they do it.”

The grant recipients include Oak Park Temple, which is receiving $20,000 for its weekly sixth grade family class. A $9,100 grant to Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School in Hyde Park will help deepen staff competency in the Reggio Emilia approach for its preschool. Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Chicago will get $15,000 to expand its religious school. Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Deerfield is receiving $5,250 for its “Badges of Jewish Living and Learning” program, to expand its early primary age educational offerings. And Congregation Or Shalom of Lake County , in Vernon Hills, will receive a $20,000 award to expand its family school through a program called “Beyond the Classroom.”

Some of the grants focus on Hebrew-language courses. Temple Sholom of Chicago is receiving $2,500 for a Hebrew curriculum pilot project. A $20,000 grant will support a Temple Jeremiah in Northfield class called “Hebrew Through Movement” that also will serve three other congregations. And the JCC Chicago system is receiving $10,000 for a Hebrew-immersion weekend for teens.

Other grants focus on arts education. Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue in Wheeling is receiving $8,000 for a Jewish music-education project. Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation in Lincolnshire will get $6,390 to further integrate Jewish art and artists in its efforts. And North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe is receiving $20,000 for its school’s visual arts track.

And Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove is receiving $10,000 to expand Shabbatonim, weekend youth retreats filled with learning, prayer and socializing.

One grant specifically supports teachers: the Board of Jewish Education is receiving $20,000 for professional development programs, including a KickStart conference for all congregational school and early childhood teachers.

For more information about CFJE and its Best Practices in Jewish Education grants, contact Scott Aaron at (312) 673-3267 or[email protected].