In light of yet another act of violent anti-Semitism last weekend outside San Diego, however, hope can seem elusive. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Poway Jewish community, and we yet again find ourselves drawing on the resources culled by experts on security, on helping children process this kind of trauma, on combating anti-Semitism. Educating our students on anti-Semitism, hate more broadly, and handling the stresses that inevitably come from events like this, is a continuing and important task. Prizmah will continue to make available resources, and welcome those who wish to share new suggestions to do so, via Reshet groups or direct to us. On the security front, preparedness is crucial, and we encourage you to continue working with local law enforcement, the Jewish community’s Secure Community Network (SCN), and leverage our partners who will support you in applying for funds, such as current federal security grants.

At moments such as these, the past and the future seem so inextricably bound, and we look again at those bright eyes hoping that we are indeed providing what our children will need for a safe and vibrant future.

In light of recent events at Chabad of Poway, San Diego, we wanted to share some valuable resources:

• Prizmah’s collected resources for schools on security

• Department of Homeland Security's Security Awareness for Soft Targets and Crowded Places publications on Mass Gatherings and Active Shooting Attacks
• Talking to Kids About Antisemitic Hate Crimes by Dr. Deborah Gilboa
• Teach Coalition recognizes the critical role of security for schools and shuls across the country. We have spearheaded major security funding victories in all of our constituent states, including NY, NJ, PA, and CA. With increased funds, our institutions are able to heighten their security through a range of security equipment and upgrades, training, and in many cases, security personnel. We also work with the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to assist schools and shuls to apply for vital dollars that are available annually from the Federal government. For more information, please reach out to Yosef Kanofsky at 646-459-5158.
• The U.S. DHS Nonprofit Security Grant Program deadline is fast approaching (May 8th at 5PM in New York). For help, see the dedicated website at www.jcrcny.org/security grants. 

YOU Lead applications are out! Join us for a nine-month leadership development program open to school leaders of all stages: teachers, administrators, directors, principals, and aspiring heads of school. Together with peers, mentors, and top innovators in the day school world, participants reflect on practices and beliefs, challenge assumptions about Jewish education, and dive deeply into the defining issues of Jewish day school leadership in the 21st century.

Click here to learn more about this program and apply here to take your leadership skills to the next level of excellence. Contact Rabbi Maccabee Avishur at [email protected] with any additional questions.

A two-day development intensive designed specifically with your Jewish day school development needs in mind.

Prizmah's Development Professionals Institute
June 24-25, 2019 / Detroit, MI

• Are you a head of school or development director looking to sharpen your fundraising skills?

• Does someone on your team want to connect with a network of development-focused peers?

• Is your school thinking about raising endowment funds?

See you in Detroit!

Our annual peer learning opportunity designed for senior development professionals to network and share best practices. This gathering is geared towards development professionals who have been in the field for at least 10 years. This convening will be an opportunity for senior development professionals at Jewish day schools to connect and learn from one another.

The program will begin at 10am on Tuesday, July 23rd and end at 3pm on Wednesday, July 24th. Hosted by Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, 3300 Old Court Rd., Baltimore, MD 21208

**Thank you to our planning partners: Mandi Miller (Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School), Hannah Olson (Berman Hebrew Academy) and Danny Spiegel (Sinai Akiba Academy)

Prizmah is investing in catalyzing resources for the Jewish day school field. In order for our schools to thrive, they must be both affordable and excellent. Read how one school uses affordability initiatives to enhance recruitment and retention, and build their community!

institution provides a unique affordability initiative in order to offer to make quality Jewish education a viable option for every family that desires it. Director, Mariashi Groner, shares that “the CJDS tuition affordability program sends a strong message that we believe that Jewish children must have the opportunity to attend a Jewish day school. The support and embrace that the process offers is a foundation for the relationships we build throughout the years with these families.”

After two years of solid data and proactive marketing, Charlotte Jewish Day School implemented their tuition initiative with four different types of programs: Scaled Tuition Program, Traditional Financial Assistance, Jewish Professional Discount, and Vitner Leadership Scholarship (for new families only). In the past year alone, enrollment grew by 6%. When a family shows interest in the school, meeting with Development Director Gale Osborne, is the final step to their enrollment process so that she can examine and track the financial needs of both the enrolled and perspective families. Gale takes her role for Charlotte Jewish Day School and to the Jewish community seriously, working hard to create a collaborative space for families to feel comfortable sharing and planning their child’s education.

Gale hopes that Charlotte Jewish Day School can be an example to schools across the country who want to provide an affordable and excellent education for every family who wants it for their child. To learn more about this innovative approach, please contact Gale Osborne at [email protected] or visit this link on Tuition Affordability.

Is there something innovative or exciting happening at your school that Prizmah can spotlight in a future issue? Email Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Cheryl Weiner Rosenberg to let us know!

Check out our Knowledge Center's Teaching and Learning resources in Hebrew, Judaic studies, pedagogical approaches and more!

The Collaborative for Spirituality in Education invites you to join Visionary Leaders from Private, Charter, Religious and Public Schools along with Practitioners, Academics, Foundations and Funders as we further a national conversation.

The Next Wave in K-12 Education: The Spiritual Core of the Whole Child 
Sunday, November 3- Monday, November 4, 2019 

At Teacher's College, Columbia University, New York City 

For more information on the conference, call for papers and discounted rates, visit our website or email Lisa Rosenstein at [email protected].