USCJ “Framework for Excellence” Program Continues to Grow

When The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism created its Framework for Excellence Program four years ago – setting forth new criteria for examining the quality of a school’s educational program and providing each congregation with a means to reflect on its own program in order to refine and redefine its current efforts – the organization knew that congregational schools were eager for such guidance.

Still, according to Wendy Light, Education Consultant, Framework for Excellence Initiative, the results have been extremely gratifying, with 75 schools now classified as being “in Framework” and hundreds more working toward that goal. Framework schools will receive honorary plaques at the USCJ’s upcoming Biennial Convention in Boston, to be held December 4 - 8, 2005.

The most recent synagogue schools to join the Framework include Temple Hillel-Southside Jewish Center, Valley Stream, Long Island, New York; Temple Israel of Great Neck, Great Neck, New York; Shomrei Torah Conservative Congregation of Wayne, Wayne, New Jersey; Temple Beth El, Swampscott, MA, North Shore Hebrew School; Temple Israel, Swampscott, MA, North Shore Hebrew School; Temple Sinai, Marblehead, MA, North Shore Hebrew School; Temple Shalom, Salem, MA, North Shore Hebrew School; Congregation B'nai Shalom, Walnut Creek, California; and Midbar Kodesh Temple, Henderson, Nevada. A complete list of Framework schools is available from the USCJ Department of Education.

All Framework schools must reach a certain standard and subscribe to a Statement of Aims. There are common elements that all Framework schools will share and six models of educational formats. Two of the nine benchmarks speak of family education and the need for providing professional development opportunities to faculty and principals. Shared elements include requiring children to attend Shabbat services at least 10 times a year, developing an organic relationship between formal and informal education programs, and working on the participation of students in Jewish studies through high school. The Framework sets forth six different configurations for three- or two-day programs providing different emphases appropriate to different congregations.

For further information on the Framework program, contact Wendy Light, Education Consultant, Framework for Excellence Initiative, 215-869-1830. For a copy of the two booklets describing the Framework, contact abramson@uscj.org.