Advancing and enhancing innovative and effective Jewish educational programming is the goal of Best Practices in Jewish Education grants just announced by the Community Foundation for Jewish Education (CFJE). A support foundation of JUF, CFJE is distributing more than $166,000 among 13 institutions, including 10 congregations in 2015. The grants address the increased, and growing, desire for Jewish learning and knowledge in the Chicago area.

“I am heartened by the very range of our grant recipients,” said Debbie Berman, chair of the CJFE Board. “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 in our community build on what they are already doing well,” said Rabbi Scott Aaron, Ph.D., CFJE’s executive director. “These programs are working to 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, part of CFJE’s mission is to help facilitate incremental enhancements in educational institutions that are looking to improve upon what they do well for their students rather than make major changes to how they do it.”

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

Some of grants focus on Hebrew-language courses. Temple Sholom of Chicago is receiving $2,500 for a Hebrew curriculum pilot project. Temple Jeremiah in Northfield is receiving $20,000 for a class called “Hebrew Through Movement” that will also 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 is receiving $6,390 to further integrate Jewish art and artists in its efforts. And North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe is receiving $20,000 for the visual arts track of its school.

One of the grants serves to bolster the teachers; the Bureau of Jewish Education is receiving $20,000 for professional development programs, including the KickStart conference for all congregational school and early childhood teachers. And Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove is receiving $10,000 to expand Shabbatonim, weekend youth retreats filled with learning, prayer, and socializing.

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