In a testament to the growth of the Jewish day school movement, a record-breaking 1300-plus attendees, session leaders, exhibitors, and sponsors converged on Boston last month for the 2008 PEJE Assembly for Jewish Day School Education. "Linked for Learning, Positioned for Growth" connected representatives from 275 schools, 189 non-schools, 40 US states and Canadian provinces, and several foreign countries. Over the course of three days, delegates attended more than 100 sessions in the areas of advocacy and recruitment, financial sustainability, leadership and governance, educational excellence, and collaboration.

Two high-profile keynote speakers set the tone for the event. In a stirring speech, Natan Sharansky, globally renowned Soviet dissident, human rights activist and former Israeli minister, made a sociopolitical case for cultural identity and Jewish day school education. "What has to be said to parents who don't send their children to day schools?" he asked. "Parents want their children to be part of the bigger world. [But enjoying global] freedom is meaningless if you can't express your identity. Identity is what makes your life bigger than your physical existence."

Patrick Bassett, NAIS President, opened minds with "The Right-Brained Future: Creating 21st Century Schools and Strategic Indicators."
Explaining that today's youth are more "right-brained" due to the digital culture of "unlimited access, 24/7, to everything," Bassett outlined creative, actionable strategies to help schools prepare students for "jobs that don't yet exist" and for solving tomorrow's yet-unidentified problems.

Assembly participants linked and learned at several interactive forums. At PEJE's first-ever field-wide World Café, attendees engaged in a dynamic series of conversations focusing on leadership and affordability. They also met face-to-face with their PEJE Communities of Practice and received 79 hours of free coaching (roughly valued at $13,000) from PEJE consultants.

In addition, the Assembly celebrated the philanthropists and donors who generated a total of $15 million for the 146 day schools receiving 2008 MATCH grants, and applauded the 86 schools that won PEJE's first-ever Marketing Awards.

Register for NAIS Summer Institutes

This summer NAIS will offer intensive leadership institutes across the United States. The institutes focus on leadership in sustainability, new heads, diversity, and new financial aid professionals. To learn more, view video highlights, and register, visit the NAIS website.

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Israel Interactive Multimedia Program

Itai Tennenbaum is an Israeli educator, guide, and recent emissary to Minneapolis who knows that the best way to connect American kids to Israel is to personalize the experience. He and a team of educators created Israel Interactive, a DVD-based interactive multimedia program designed for educators to use with students. For more information, visit Israel Interactive, watch the demo, or email Tennenbaum.

Melitz Israel @ 60 Educational Celebration Kit

The Melitz Israel @ 60 Educational Celebration Kit is available for purchase and immediate shipment. For details about kit contents, including Israeli music, recipes, photos, maps, films, and flags, visit the Melitz website and view a two-minute video clip. If you have any questions, please email Melitz.

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