EMJC Hebrew School receives excellence award

The East Meadow Jewish Center Hebrew School was informed in a letter on Jan. 12 that it was re-certified as a School of Excellence by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. EMJC is one of 25 Hebrew schools in New York to receive this international Framework of Excellence award.

“It’s very exciting,” said Principal Shira Ornstein. “Applying for the award takes a lot if time, takes a lot of energy. It really is a team effort. [EMJC] is such an exemplary school because of the dedication and caring of the religious school staff.”

“We are very proud of our Hebrew School and our Hebrew School staff,” added Rabbi Androphy, who has been part of the congregation for 29 years. “It’s a commitment on part of the students and their parents.”

To receive the Framework of Excellence distinction, a school has to show that is fulfills the Statement of Aims of the Conservative Synagogue School, specific educational benchmarks and conforms to an approved school model.

According to the Statement of Aims, students need to show that their lives are guided by Jewish values; understand that Judaism requires sacred deeds in relationships between people and with God; have a basic knowledge of the Torah and the Hebrew language; know the prayers; be knowledgeable about and have concern for Israel and understand what it means to be a conservative Jew.

Benchmarks, which include an emphasis on family education, professional staff development, a written statement of education philosophy and more, must also be met. “These benchmarks indicate that a congregation has established an institutional framework for quality Jewish education and, in so doing, is fulfilling the standards of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for synagogue school education,” states the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism website.

The students at EMJC obtain a public school education and receive their religious education at classes on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Religious school is currently offered from second to seventh-grade students and eighth to 11th-grade students attend Hebrew High School. Ornstein added that kindergarten and first grade religious education would be offered in the future.