Last week I wrote about why schools, including Schechter Bergen, must change to meet the needs of today’s students as they prepare for a very different world and a workforce that will look different from today.  While this is critical, it is far from enough. As David Brooks wrote in his book, Road to Character,  (the educational system) “spend(s) more time teaching the skills and strategies you need for career success than the qualities you need to radiate that sort of inner light. Many of us are clearer on how to build an external career than on how to build inner character.”

More than just being prepared for work, it is essential that our children be prepared for life - to be ethical, caring Jews who look beyond themselves to the greater community and the needs of others.

In essence, the real and sacred purpose of Schechter Bergen is to nurture young Jewish neshamot. For 50 years Schechter Bergen has played a critical role in helping students to become moral, ethical human beings, who make good choices and contribute positively to society. In a world that continues to become increasingly complex a Jewish education becomes even more vital as it  emphasizes values-based education rooted in Jewish tradition, which instills a strong sense of ethical responsibility, compassion, and social justice. We know that  integrating these values into the educational curriculum enhances students' moral development and prepares them to be not only successful professionals but also conscientious citizens who uphold principles of integrity, empathy, and social responsibility.  

We rightfully prioritize a values-based education, teaching students the importance of integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct in all aspects of life. Through the study of Jewish texts and teachings and developing a relationship with God through prayer and Brachot, students learn about ethical principles such as tikkun olam, tzedakah, and derekh eretz. By integrating values-based education into the curriculum, Schechter Bergen and other Jewish day schools cultivate a strong moral compass in students, guiding their actions and decisions both in the workplace and in their personal lives.

Much of Jewish learning centers around what God expects of us, especially in relation to our fellow person. Hence to focus on character development aligns seamlessly with our tradition. At Schechter, utilizing our key character strengths, we emphasize the centrality of kindness, compassion, humility, and resilience. Through experiential learning opportunities, service projects, and community involvement, our students learn the importance of empathy and social responsibility. By nurturing positive character traits, we empower students to make ethical choices, act with integrity, and positively impact their communities. As part of this journey of growth, we also help students to own responsibility for their actions, learn from their mistakes, and find space to embrace reconciliation when necessary. 

In a world where people feel more isolated and polarization is dividing our country, the notion of community and community responsibility is more important than ever. While we certainly have a responsibility to the larger community, in these challenging  times, when Jews are feeling attacked and isolated by the larger world community, we have the primary responsibility of taking care of ourselves first. If we don't, no one will.  As a community we must teach our children to be there for our people standing firm and strong for our continued right to self-determination and independence in the State of Israel and for freedom and security wherever we live, including the United States.

At Schechter Bergen we work to foster a sense of community engagement and responsibility, encouraging students to actively participate in and contribute to their communities. By organizing community service projects, volunteer opportunities, and social action initiatives, we work to instill a sense of civic duty and commitment to making a positive difference in the world and, of course, Israel.  We must lead by example even when others turn away from us. And we must make sure that we support Israel both here in the United States and in Israel itself. We engage our students in many different Israel centric projects to instill this commitment, and there could be no stronger commitment than taking in the 56 Israeli students who needed a school to attend after the October 7th tragedy. Our students will never forget that experience.

As I have tried to argue in last week’s blog and this one, Schechter Bergen must play an even greater role in preparing our students not only for success in the future workforce but also for a life of moral integrity, ethical leadership, and social responsibility all framed within our rich, Jewish tradition. In the age of political polarization, artificial intelligence and algorithms that work to influence our thinking, and at a time that Israel faces a real existential threat to its existence - Schechter Bergen has never been more vital to our community than it is now. The next decades will be pivotal to the future strength and collective health of the Jewish people. Our school must be vibrant, forward thinking and a place of hope for the future of our people.