The Day School as an Educational Community: Involving Jewish Families
In 1955, Rabbi William S. Malev had the vision to establish a Conservative Jewish Day School at Congregation Beth Yeshurun in Houston. In 1956 I became a member of the second entering class, along with children from 12 other gutsy, visionary families. I can only imagine the discussions and decision-making process of our parents. At that time, the notion of a “conservative” day school (or any non-orthodox day school) was an untested model—not only for the frontiers of Texas, but anywhere else in America. Who had ever though of a “conservative” day school? What would be the curriculum? Would this fledgling “school,” comprised of two tiny classes, be able to provide excellent general (and Judaic) education? [This was critical to these highly educated, motivated, achieving parents.] What would be the implications for socialization for this little class? It is clear to me that anyone who would “subject” his/her child to this experiment had to be a great risk-taker, and a pioneering visionary with great commitm...