Blog

1. As the director of Early Childhood education at Portland Jewish Academy, what are the biggest challenges you face in your job?  

On the human front: My biggest challenges are making critical decisions around the health, safety and well-being of people, particularly our unvaccinated children.

We’re all fortunate to work, learn, and gather in a values-based institution. Our Middot are present everywhere at PJA - hanging on classroom walls, on our website, present at meetings, and on the minds of our Kehillah. One stands out to me and has helped me navigate the past few weeks - Hodayah, or appreciation.

Usually the first week back after Winter Break is full of taller students in new shoes, well rested teachers eager to get back to the work of educating their students, new projects, and stories of vacations. While it can be difficult to get back into the regular routine of school, for most teachers and students the first week after Winter Break is usually one filled with learning and a renewed sense of commitment and enthusiasm around all of the joy school has to offer. 

One of the biggest shifts that has taken place at Jewish schools and organizations during the pandemic is the focus of conversations around campus safety. Since the start of the pandemic, discussions have shifted somewhat away from security matters to those connected to personal health and mitigating transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

After over 25 years of working in Early Childhood classrooms as a teacher, this year is my first year in an administrative position. I am eternally grateful for what O-5 year old children have taught me about, being a friend, building community, creating inclusive spaces, and how to be a leader.

PJA’s Kehillah Organization recently hosted our annual High School Information Night (formerly known as High School 411). This is one of my favorite activities of the year!

“For every dollar Oregon invests in afterschool programs, $4.60 is returned to our state through reduced drug and alcohol addiction, increased graduation rates, reduced crime rates, and lower healthcare costs due to increased physical activity.” Afterschool in Oregon Return on Investment Study - March 2021.

The first week of school was a delightful week! On Monday, our Early Childhood program opened for the new school year, welcoming about 125 infant, toddler and preschool children into our classrooms. On Tuesday, our Day School opened, with 185 students attending school, in person, all day, every day. The excitement was palpable...

MAZAL TOV to the class of 2021 and to their families! On Wednesday evening, June 9, we had a true Shehechaynu moment. We gathered together, under one roof, one LARGE tent, to celebrate our wonderful 8th grade graduates. We have not been able to be under one roof together for the past 15 months.  What a time to mark for all of us.