Blog

It is typical to find school administrators and teachers using part of the summer to prepare for the coming new school year. This summer, however, has been anything but typical, as educators have had to prepare for multiple possible scenarios for the school year, including in-person, hybrid and remote models. BJE has worked with its many Day School networks to help administrators and teachers prepare for this challenging year.

It is typical to find school administrators and teachers using part of the summer to prepare for the coming new school year. This summer, however, has been anything but typical, as early childhood centers, deemed essential businesses by the State, began re-opening and tackling the monumental task of creating environments and experiences for our youngest children that are both engaging and COVID-safe. BJE has worked with its Early Childhood Directors' Network to help administrators and teachers prepare for this challenging year. 

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Join Builders of Jewish Education (BJE) in the #BJEBuildingKindness Challenge!  

Building Kindness Gallery!

What: a social media event where kids and teens can showcase acts of kindness and ways they are bettering the world!  

When: July 20-24, 2020!   

When the Covid-19 pandemic forced closure of all schools, the Jewish school community in Los Angeles didn’t have to look far for support – BJE has had professional networks in place for years, including day school, early childhood and part-time religious schools. 

Almost immediately, BJE began to convene the various professional networks by zoom, and participation is at an all-time high. 

When BJE’s March of the Living program was cancelled due to the pandemic, the staff worked quickly in order to provide the 220 participating teens with a meaningful experience despite the disappointment. After participating in a virtual Yom HaShoah program with the survivors who would have traveled with the group, Ann Mizrahi from de Toledo HS and Sabrina Cohensedgh from Milken reached out to BJE’s Liat Vorobiev and Maya Aharon to ask how they could be more involved with the program.

On March 16, 2020 BJE will hold its annual Bebe Feuerstein Simon Early Childhood Institute. The conference provides early childhood educators with an opportunity to learn and practice new skills, network with other educators, and grow as professionals.  Due to the Coronavirus the conference this year will be held online.

On January 12, a sold-out crowd gathered at Sinai Temple for BJE’s annual gala, honoring four exceptional builders of Jewish education – Cheryl Weisberg Davidson, Marlynn and Rabbi Elliot Dorff, and Craig Rutenberg. Attendees, from across the Los Angeles area, represented a broad spectrum of Jewish life. The event helped raise funds to support BJE and its teen experiential programs which engage youth in action and reflection based on Jewish values of helping those in need.

In the fall, BJE welcomed two educators to its professional staff - Experiential Educator Michal Kress and Early Childhood Education Specialist Carly Rosenstein. Both natives of Los Angeles, Michal and Carly bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to BJE. Each has already begun making significant impact through their work at BJE.