Kenneth Schaefler, Special-Ed Proponent, dies at 68

Published on March 22, 2011

Scholarships help keep middle-income kids in Jewish schools

By Julie G Fax
Published on December 18, 2008

Amid the cascade of bad economic news of the past few months, five Jewish high schools in Los Angeles received some good news last week.

Briefs: New site helps parents check schools, New Jew science lab opens

Published on October 31, 2008

With more than 150 Jewish day schools, religious schools and early childhood centers in the Los Angeles area, it can be tough for parents to pinpoint the right place to send their children. Now, Internet-savvy families can browse the options on one pastel-hued Web site

Concierges help families sort through education options

By Anita K. Kantrowitz
Published on November 1, 2007

More than most cities, Los Angeles boasts a wide array of Jewish day schools, religious schools, camps and youth and family activities. But if you're new in town, or a first-time parent, or just not familiar with the community, this wealth of opportunities can seem daunting. In February, the BJE launched its Concierge for Jewish Education program, focusing solely on Jewish offerings. And unlike a growing number of related services -- including locally published school guides or consultants who charge fees of up to $150 per hour -- the BJE provides its service for free.

Giving Adult Students Credit They Deserve

By Andrea Adelson
Published on October 2, 2003

A group of local Jewish educators are seeking funding to start a novel adult-education academy that would grant a certificate of recognition to students who complete its requirements over three years.

The Orange County Academy of Jewish Growth and Learning is envisioned as a way to impose a quasi-academic structure on an array of existing courses offered by local synagogues, the Bureau of Jewish Education and the Community Scholar Program.

A Double Mitzvah

By Keren Engelberg
Published on May 8, 2003

If one follows the traditional Jewish philosophy that a lifetime is 70 years, Dr. Hy Goldman was symbolically reborn on April 22, 2000. It's a philosophy Goldman likes, and thus followed to the next logical conclusion -- that he should reaffirm his commitment to Judaism with a second bar mitzvah at the age of 83 (age 70 plus 13). That his grandson, Jason, decided to join him by becoming a bar mitzvah for the first time, at age 21, only added to the uniqueness of the occasion.

A Different Kind of Youth Program

By Sharon Schatz Rosenthal
Published on August 8, 2002

For many teens, having a bar or bat mitzvah is both a beginning and an ending. According to Jewish tradition, the ceremony signifies a child's transition into manhood or womanhood. For some teens, it also marks the end of a structured Jewish education. Some kids dread Hebrew school and deem this coming-of-age ceremony their educational swan song. On the other hand, some parents see the bar or bat mitzvah as a means to an end, leaving teens to discover where Judaism fits into their lives on their own.

Eulogies:Sivan Hamburger,

Published on June 13, 2002

Sivan Hamburger, one of the longstanding, staunch leaders of the Bureau of Jewish Education (BJE), died June 3, at the age of 87.

Hamburger was a passionate Labor Zionist, who as a young, idealistic high school student, spent a year in the Land of Israel, during the time it was still called Palestine. His love of Israel, Hebrew and Jewish learning followed him throughout his life.

Got Teachers?

By Sharon Schatz Rosenthal
Published on April 11, 2002

The Shirettes, five peppy women clad in jeans and T-shirts, sang a good morning song complete with hand motions, as one of them strummed along on a guitar. The audience applauded heartily -- only instead of the local singing group's usual nursery school audience, the crowd consisted of the teachers of their regular fans.

The singers kicked off the 22nd annual Early Childhood Institute with an air of youthful enthusiasm that lasted throughout the conference, which was sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education (BJE) of Greater Los Angeles, a beneficiary agency of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

Special Night of Music

By Dr. Rosemary Cohen
Published on March 22, 2001

At the end of August 1992, a young man, who had gone out to a bar because he was "bored," struck our car. The drunken driver injured my family and killed Liana, my 18-year-old daughter, as we were returning home from Friday night services. Liana was going to fly out the next day to attend college at Brandeis University.

Education Briefs

By Tom Tugend
Published on February 24, 2000

A highlight of the annual religious school educators conference sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education is always the presentation of the Lainer Awards. These cash awards, established in 1989, go to talented educators who help perpetuate Jewish traditions and values in a religious school setting. Most of the winners have an in-depth knowledge of Judaica, and have committed much of their professional lives to Jewish institutions.

Double Duty

By Beverly Gray
Published on February 24, 2000

A highlight of the annual religious school educators conference sponsored by the Bureau of Jewish Education is always the presentation of the Lainer Awards. These cash awards, established in 1989, go to talented educators who help perpetuate Jewish traditions and values in a religious school setting. Most of the winners have an in-depth knowledge of Judaica, and have committed much of their professional lives to Jewish institutions.
Such is the case of Neal