Solomon Schechter Day School To "Reinvent Identity"

Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County, located in the borough, is joining with 10 other Schechter schools in the Tri-state area on Wednesday evening at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America to announce a new initiative all the schools will be undertaking. 

Those attending Wednesday's forum will be Schechter parents, alumni, board members, staff and faculty and "friends in the field of Jewish education and supporting partnering agencies," according to a press release issued by the schools.

Presenters at the event include:

• Dr. Arnold Eisen, Chancellor, Jewish Theological Seminary of America
• Rabbi Steven Wernick, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
• Rabbi Josh Elkin, Executive Director, Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education 
• Representatives from the consortium steering committee

"This exciting grassroots initiative is great for all the Schechter schools in the consortium,” said Dr. Elaine Cohen, executive of the Solomon Schechter Day School Association.  “Though we’re launching our revitalized message and new branding in the Tri-State region, we invite Schechter schools across North America to join us in this project."  

Elaine Suchow, a member of the Tri-State Consortium’s steering committee and director of development for Solomon Schechter School of Queens said, “After a long, comprehensive exploratory process, mah tovu – how good it is – that we can share one voice and one vision to benefit all Schechter schools collectively.  Working together for the future of our children, we have learned, discovered and become strengthened.”

"The high quality work of the consortium demonstrates effective collaboration among various agencies including the Jewish Education Project, UJA-Federation of New York, United Synagogue and the Jewish Theological Seminary, and exemplifies a very positive partnership between the Schechter Association and its member schools," said Cohen.  

"We are continuing the important work of revitalizing the essential principles of Conservative Judaism as we make our day schools ever more welcoming environments for a wide spectrum of families and their children," said Cohen.

Rabbi Steven Wernick, chief executive officer and executive vice president of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the school association’s parent organization, said the schools provide an integral foundation for many future Jewish and civic leaders.

“To be the people of the book has always meant that we value education,” Wernick said.  “Jewish education, however, is more than just the acquisition of facts; it is also the acquisition of timeless values for sacred living.  The Schechter Day School network continues to be a prime source for Jewish education at its very best.  This branding initiative will go a long way in communicating that inspiration for a broader audience and will inspire many more to be meaningfully engaged in the highest forms of Jewish learning.”