2005 Annual Report - Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle

10
Tina Novick
Jewish Education
Council Chair
Toward a Learning
Community
…enhancing the quality
and quantity of Jewish
education, formal and
informal, for learners at all
levels
The JEC sponsors and
supports the Jewish Early
Childhood Directors
Association and the
Jewish Education Directors
Association.
Jewish Education Council
The Community High School of Jewish Studies
“Hebrew High” offered three trimesters of classes at the Stroum Jewish
Community Center. 190 students learned about Judaism through text study,
art, fi lm, history and more. 22 students took a 10-day trip to Israel that
focused on community service.
Jewish Education Services This year eight teachers earned
Jewish teaching certifi cates through the JEC’s Midrasha (teacher training)
program. The JEC sponsored three major community-wide teacher learning
events—two Back-to-School Specials, and ‘Heart of the Matter. Debbie
Friedman’s concert, attended by 1,000 at Temple de Hirsch Sinai, honored
Carol Starin’s retirement after 14 years as director of the JEC. We nominated
Seattle’s fi rst two Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award winners—Beth Fine and
Sharon Morrison.
Limmud NW 2005 marked the fi rst year-round cycle of Limmud, with
the expansion of our summer program. Offerings included special classes that
bridged the moral values divide, and a fi rst-time writing class encouraged
students to write their “Jewish Journey.”
Israel Program Support 345 participants are enrolled in Milk &
Honey, a matching savings program for trips to Israel. In addition since 2000,
more than 150 students have redeemed their $500 Community Investment
Portfolios, with 61 redeemed this year. Funds apply toward educational Israel
trips.
Camp Scholarships We awarded nearly $50,000 in camp
scholarships (including $2,800 from the Stan Rosen Teen Campership Fund),
enabling Jewish community campers to attend Jewish overnight camps
throughout the country.
Study Buddy This tutoring program of the Federation and B’nai B’rith
Evergreen Region has more than 150 active tutors in Seattle-area public
schools. Study Buddy’s ‘Laughter and Literacy’ event brought in more than
1,000 books for Seattle schools in need.