Creating Connections: Uniting Jewish Philosophies through Inspiring Educational Programming

Can two Jewish day schools with different backgrounds come together for a greater cause? That was the big question as leaders from Rodeph Sholom School and Schechter Manhattan gathered to talk. We didn’t know what the outcome would be, but we all felt the weight of the moment.

The reality was clear: we had to try. Both schools had strong academic reputations, but we were facing similar challenges. Enrollment was down, families were moving away, and the cost of running a day school—about $60,000 per child—was intimidating. As a Schechter board member and a former parent, I was deeply invested in the future of both schools. My goal was to help foster a new generation of engaged, non-Orthodox Jewish leaders committed to community and Jewish values.

At first, merging the schools seemed daunting. Rodeph had more students and resources, which meant more control over decisions like the curriculum and name. This was hard to accept for those of us at Schechter. Yet, we also recognized that Schechter’s strengths in Hebrew and Jewish studies were crucial.

Then, someone proposed an idea: what if we offered two tracks for Jewish and Hebrew education? One track would follow Schechter’s approach—focusing on Hebrew fluency and hands-on Jewish practices. The other would align with Rodeph’s methods, emphasizing Hebrew competence with translated texts. This compromise seemed like a way to move forward together.

The result was the Makor (“Source”) program, which mirrored Schechter’s educational philosophy while fitting into Rodeph’s framework. We made compromises, faced doubts, but ultimately found hope in our collaboration. Merging wasn’t just about education; we had financial hurdles to address too. Rodeph committed to honoring Schechter’s lower tuition rates initially, with planned increases later. Donors from Schechter rallied to support Makor, helping with costs for experienced teachers, additional specialists, and more.

Now, the Makor program is flourishing, and enrollment has exceeded expectations. The program includes a significant number of Rodeph students, allowing them to develop their Hebrew skills and engage with Jewish texts in meaningful ways. Families touring the school see flexible options that cater to various needs, dispelling concerns about the school being “too Jewish.” Interest in both Rodeph and Makor is rising.

What we accomplished shows it’s possible to bridge different heritages and philosophies. Rodeph and Schechter didn’t agree on everything, but we were able to work together and create a stronger community. Could this example inspire other Jewish schools to collaborate? I certainly hope so. The challenges we faced are common, and with creativity and collaboration, more institutions can thrive together. It requires hard work, but looking at our joint achievement, I can confidently say that it’s all worth it.

Sally Gottesman is a leader in Jewish education, currently serving as the board chair of Encounter and a co-founder of Moving Traditions. She has also held board roles at Schechter Manhattan.

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