Blog

For two weeks, friends of BJE March of the Living helped make a huge impact on social media by donating to BJE’s special Facebook campaign, sharing the campaign with their friends, and holding their own Facebook campaigns. The result of these efforts was the most successful single social media campaign BJE MOTL has held to date, helping raise $30K, exceeding BJE’s goal.

On Wednesday Evening, April 7th, 7:30-9:00pm PST, BJE MOTL and partner SOCAL Shinshinim will host a special Erev Yom HaShoah program, an evening of remembrance featuring Holocaust survivor and artist Gabriella Karin. Gabriella has travelled on the March with BJE’s LA-based delegation in the past, and will share her powerful story of resiliency. Register for this free BJE MOTL Yom HaShoah program.

Shortly before Pesach, my wife and I will celebrate the first birthday of a grandson whom we have yet to meet in person.  Since his birth in New York City, during the early weeks of the pandemic (at a time when his father could not enter the hospital because of prevailing COVID-19 restrictions), we have watched his considerable growth via FaceTime.  The availability of such technology is truly a gift. 

From March 25-April 9, supporters of BJE March of the Living will hold social media fundraising campaigns to help raise money for BJE’s experiential Holocaust education program for teens.

Though the pandemic has forced International March of the Living to cancel the trip this spring, BJE’s Experiential Education team has been working throughout the year to provide opportunities for students to connect with survivors and learn their stories of survival and resilience.

In a year that has presented challenges beyond what anyone could have imagined, educators have risen to the challenge. On March 15, four educators from BJE-affiliated early childhood programs received awards, recognizing both their incredible work in the field of education prior to the start of the pandemic, and their extraordinary efforts since.

As a Jewish early childhood program, the IKAR ECC draws from Jewish traditions, culture, and practice to offer children a rich experience in which their Jewish identity can thrive, their social consciousness can be deepened, and they can establish roots in a love for their heritage.

For Dr. Debora Parks, being a leader of a small day school means wearing many different hats. Dr. Parks indeed does that, as she is a flexible, dynamic leader, one who assumes a variety of roles in her school. She is always giving of her expertise, thoughts, and time, constantly adapting to an ever-changing environment, and, thus, sustaining Harkham-GAON Academy (HGA) with never-ending positive energy. Harkham-GAON Academy is grateful to Dr. Parks for being instrumental in building what Rabbi Moises Benzaquen dreamed of: an affordable, inclusive, modern Orthodox Jewish day school. 

Recently, I read a book co-authored by two very distinguished Jewish educators, Dr. Bruce Powell and Dr. Ron Wolfson, titled: Raising A+ Human Beings.  In his preface to this very worthwhile and accessible work, Rabbi Ed Feinstein recounts the following:
“I remember my first Parents Night as a head of school: ‘Your job is to get my kid into a good college!’ a parent informed me.  ‘All we ask is that you give our kids the tools to be successful!’ offered another.”

The Bay-Nimoy ECC values the virtue of learning, the act of learning and living Tikkun Olam, and living a life of integrity by practicing acts of loving-kindness as we learn. By integrating Jewish values, the history of the Torah, and the modern world, our students are focused and well-rounded individuals who can make justice-minded and socially conscious decisions.