A Model for Nationwide Impact
In recent years, the Greater Seattle Jewish day schools made a deliberate shift towards collaboration, turning individual institutions into a cohesive, thriving network. For Jewish education professionals across the country, this community’s journey offers a practical roadmap for enhancing collaboration and strengthening ties within their own communities.
The transformation in Seattle was the result of a strategic shift in mindset and operations, from viewing collaboration as a tactical necessity to embedding it as a core cultural value. This shift has led to tangible outcomes, from increased student mobility between schools to broader community engagement.
For those looking to replicate Seattle's success, this article delves into the practical strategies and lessons that can be applied to Jewish day schools nationwide.
A Shift from Strategy to Culture
Since the launch of the Collaboration Initiative three years ago, Seattle’s Jewish day schools have undergone a significant transformation. What started as a strategic effort has evolved into something much deeper—an upgrade that we’re calling Collaboration 2.0. “What was once a targeted strategy has now become the default, with collaboration at the center of how the day schools think and operate,” explains David Ellenhorn, chair of the Samis Foundation.
This shift wasn’t just about encouraging occasional teamwork; it was about making collaboration the bedrock of each school’s operational strategy, deeply integrating it into their missions. Today, collaboration in Seattle isn’t just an initiative—it’s how things are done, woven into the very fabric of daily school life.
Breaking Down Barriers: A Case Study of School Partnership
A prime example of Collaboration 2.0 in action is the growing partnership between the Jewish Day School (JDS) and the Seattle Jewish Community School (SJCS) through a joint fifth-grade yearlong class. Historically, these institutions operated independently, separated by 12 miles, a floating bridge, and Seattle traffic—an often daunting 45-minute drive. These logistical barriers made collaboration challenging, but since the initiative began, these obstacles have been systematically addressed, leading to a partnership that benefits both schools.
The joint fifth grade allows students from both schools to collaborate on shared educational experiences focused on Jewish history and culture. By working together on research projects, plays, and field trips, students deepen their knowledge while forging connections with their peers from other schools.
“The schools work together to manage any geographic or logistical challenges, so that we can enhance the learning opportunities and the communal bonds available to our students and their families,” says David Zimand, head of school at SJCS. This partnership has not only increased student mobility but also enhanced the educational experience, allowing students to benefit from the strengths of both institutions. The lessons here are clear: When logistical challenges are addressed head-on, they can be transformed into opportunities for growth.
Expanding Reach: Integrating the Israeli Community
The spirit of Collaboration 2.0 extends far beyond the day school walls. A prime example is an unexpected outcome of the Hebrew at the Center initiative, which serendipitously led to an introduction between community leaders of Seattle’s Israeli community and the Jewish Day School. This introduction led to a new partnership whereby local, informal Israeli groups were invited to use the school’s facilities for their events.
“This cross-pollination has led to the expansion of awareness of the availability, quality, and proximity of Jewish day school campuses among the broader Israeli community,” explains Sigal Bujman, Israeli Community Resource Coordinator at Seattle’s Jewish Family Services. “These are community members who may have never considered day school before or even knew they existed, so it opens up new avenues of conversation.”
For other Jewish day schools, the lesson is clear: By extending collaboration beyond the school itself, you can engage broader community groups, creating a more vibrant and interconnected educational environment.
Ripple Effects: Elevating Hebrew Education Across the Pacific Northwest
As part of the broader Collaboration 2.0 initiative, the Hebrew at the Center Cascadia Initiative is raising the bar for Hebrew education across the Pacific Northwest. This collaborative professional development program unites Hebrew teachers from Jewish day schools across the region, equipping them with the tools and support needed to elevate both language fluency and teaching methods.
Maria Erlitz, Samis trustee and chair of the Day School Subcommittee, highlights the impact: “For the Hebrew teachers, this has been incredible. They’ve had the opportunity to up their Hebrew game, receiving one-on-one mentoring and becoming part of a larger professional cohort of educators.” The results are evident in classrooms, where schools are seeing greater student engagement and improved outcomes in Hebrew language learning.
The Cascadia Initiative brings educators together to share best practices and innovate the Hebrew curriculum. This program is raising the quality of Hebrew education, reflecting the power of collaboration to drive meaningful improvements for Jewish day school language learning across the entire region.
Lag BaOmer: A Celebration of Unity and Collaboration
One of the more significant cultural achievements of Collaboration 2.0 has been the now annual Lag BaOmer celebration, bringing together Jewish day school students and families from across the Greater Seattle area. Organizing this joint event required navigating complex religious and cultural differences among the participating schools. “Our goal is to create joyful Jewish experiences that everyone can share together,” says Chaya Elishevitz, head of MMSC Day School. “Collaboration is about finding ways to celebrate our rich traditions together.”
Rather than viewing these barriers as insurmountable roadblocks, the schools collaborated to find creative solutions that respected each community’s traditions. They agreed on both mixed dancing and separate gender dancing—but altogether. Each school could wear whatever they wanted; there was no imposition of a single dress code. This spirit of collaboration and willingness to make this celebration a unifying experience has made it one that students and families eagerly anticipate each year.
The success of the Lag BaOmer event speaks to the deeper level of trust and goodwill that Collaboration 2.0 has fostered among the participating Jewish day schools. What would have been considered barriers in the past today the schools see as opportunities. In this way Lag BaOmer in Greater Seattle is now much more than just a party in the park; it represents a profound shift in mindset and serves as a model for how Jewish institutions can work together to strengthen educational and cultural ties.
A Roadmap for Success: Practical Steps for Other Communities
The journey of Seattle’s Jewish day schools offers valuable lessons that can be applied by Jewish education professionals nationwide. The success of Collaboration 2.0 demonstrates that when schools commit to working together, they can achieve remarkable outcomes that benefit the entire community.
Here are key takeaways for other communities looking to replicate Seattle’s success.
Foster Leadership that values collaboration.
The cultural shift in Seattle began with leadership that valued and prioritized collaboration. Hiring leaders who are open to change and committed to working together is crucial.
Start Small, think big.
Begin with targeted initiatives, such as shared events or joint programs, and allow these efforts to grow into larger, more integrated collaborations.
Engage the broader community.
Look beyond the immediate school community to engage with other groups, such as local Israeli communities or neighboring cities. This broadens the impact and fosters a more interconnected Jewish community.
Address logistical challenges early.
Don't let logistical barriers stymie efforts. Tackle them head-on to pave the way for deeper, more effective collaboration.
Measure and celebrate success.
Track the impact of collaborative efforts and celebrate the successes, both big and small. This reinforces the value of collaboration and encourages continued efforts.