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The new year was sweetened for four exemplary Los Angeles Jewish day school educators when they were surprised before their entire school communities with the prestigious Milken Family Foundation Jewish Educator Award (JEA). Those honored are (from right to left):

•    Yehudis Blauner, General Studies principal, Cheder Menachem    

After ten days of introspection and working toward teshuvah – turning/recommitting to becoming our best selves – we prepare for Sukkot, “time of our joy.”  Despite the fragility that is inherently part of the human condition, we celebrate the bounty tht we enjoy and invite guests to join us in our temporary dwellings.  The sukkah inspires reflection on the constant and the transitory in the world of which we are a part.

Help celebrate BJE's 80th anniversary by participating in a series of community and donor events, culminating with BJE's 80th Anniversary Gala.

BJE Impact's Teen Service Corps recently concluded its final summer session of meaningful community service grounded in Jewish learning. The two-session day camp was in partnership with Sinai Temple (Session 1) and Valley Beth Shalom (Session 2). 

"It's about cultivating a mindset," said Jordan Grant, Summer 2017 BJE Teen Service Corps Camp Director. "We take different activities like pulling weeds, interacting with Holocaust survivors, or handing out water bottles on Skid Row, and see them through a Jewish lens - tikkun olam, repairing the world."

On the heels of June's successful conference on religious school innovation, which brought together nearly 150 religious school lay leaders and staff members from 45 synagogues to address this crucial issue, the Union for Reform Judaism and BJE have received a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles to take next steps to support religious school innovation.

For the second summer in a row, BJE was fortunate to have two teens - Michael Finkelstein and Maya Weiss - interning in our offices through the Jewish Federation's LA Jewish Teen Initiative. The  4-week program enables high school students to explore Jewish Community Agencies. 

Maya, going into her senior year at El Camino-Real Charter High School interned with the Donor & Community Relations Department, while Michael, going into his senior year at Santa Monica High School, interned with BJE's Center for Jewish Educational Engagement & Experiential Learning.

By Michael Schulman

The March of the Living trip was by far one of the most meaningful things that I have done in my life. It was truly something I will never forget. I am so thankful and privileged that I had the opportunity to go this year with an amazing staff and most importantly five incredible survivors. The stories of the survivors were inspirational, and I am even more amazed that after all the horrible things they have experienced they are able to maintain a positive attitude in every aspect of their life.

Thank you!  Through your support, BJE has reached its $1.275 million goal in unrestricted funds for the fiscal year that closed June 30th.  The generosity of new and continuing donors allows BJE to connect with nearly 40,000 children and families through high quality Jewish educational opportunities.  For full highlights of YOUR contributions at work, please click here.

"The question is no longer 'should we change?'", said Amy Asin, Director of Strengthening Congregations at the Union for Reform Judaism. "The questions are 'what should we change, and how do we get there?"

At this season of graduations, BJE congratulates the students and families marking graduation milestones in their Jewish education.   We hope each child and family will continue on their Jewish educational journey through life. 

BJE is proud to partner with 37 day schools,  49 part - time religious schools and 56 early childhood centers educating more than 25,000 children each year. 

Mazal tov!