About Jewish Day School Education

The 1990 National Jewish Population Survey was a wake-up call to the Jewish community. It showed that Americans are experiencing a marked decrease in Jewish identity and commitment among the most recent generation of adults.

We are determined to pass our unique heritage on to our children and grandchildren. And now, after a generation of testing, we know how to do just that. Three experiences have proven effective in building Jewish identity. They are Jewish day school education, quality Jewish summer camps, and wonder-filled experiences in Israel.

Jewish day school education is the premier force supporting American Jewish continuity. While Jewish after-school and weekend educational programs provide a limited number of hours of instruction at an awkward time during the week, weaknesses that often create an uncomfortable and resentful tension between a child's secular and Jewish life, the Jewish day school provides a highly positive overall experience combining a deeper exposure to Judaica with an excellent general education.

And parents throughout the country are taking action. During the period from 1962-1992 enrollment in after-school and weekend Hebrew schools declined from 540,000 to 285,000, a drop of 47%, while Jewish day school enrollment rose 300% from 60,000 to 182,000.