SPECIAL SECTION: EDUCATION 2021
Study shows pandemic’s impact on Jewish education workforce
A
new report shows the changing landscape of Jewish education from the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on Jewish educators – from a shift to more full-time work, to a rise in demand for essential Jewish education services, to a growth of national educational offerings, and more. Led by CASJE (Consortium for Applied Studies in Jewish Education) and conducted by Rosov Consulting, the study, “Facing the Future: Mapping the Marketplace of Jewish Education during COVID-19,” draws on interviews and focus groups from this summer with individuals who hire Jewish educators in overnight and day camps, Hillels, day schools, congregations and afterschool programs, JCCs and early childhood centers. “This is an exceptionally difficult time to be leading a Jewish educational institution,” says Alex Pomson, Ph.D., principal and managing director of Rosov Consulting. “This study is the story of the pandemic through the eyes of the workforce in Jewish education. Community leaders, parents with young children, and the youth themselves are both drivers of change affecting educators and are impacted by these changes too.” “It is both instructive and inspiring to learn how Jewish educational and communal leaders are finding creative 36
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
ways to reorient in this moment,” adds Arielle Levites, Ph.D., managing director of CASJE housed at The George Washington University. “We were struck by how extensively educational leaders are in touch with each other across the country for input and inspiration. There is always more than one way forward. And, as this report shows, there are also structural elements regarding how Jewish education is organized that create particular challenges and opportunities for different kinds of programs and institutions. Patterns emerge even as each community has its own unique makeup.” Facing the Future shares data in eight communities, but the researchers believe they are representative of more widely occurring changes and trends, including the following: 1. COVID-19 HAS EXACERBATED PREEXISTING FEATURES OF THE JEWISH EDUCATION MARKETPLACE. The supply of and demand for Jewish educators already was strongly colored by local circumstances. The pandemic’s uneven impact across the country aggravated those features. Having more leeway to offer in-person services than public institutions has been a boost for some Jewish afterschool programs, congregations and day schools. In some regions, demand has increased for these offerings, resulting in organizations hiring up in order to keep pace. In other parts of the country, providers in these same sectors are in some cases cutting back their staff in order to make ends meet due to uneven or declining demand. 2. THESE DIFFERENCES HAVE BEEN FURTHER ACCENTUATED BY ANOTHER PHENOMENON. THOSE SECTORS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES THAT PARENTS CAN’T DO WITHOUT – CHILDCARE AND DAY SCHOOL EDUCATION –SEEM TO BE EMERGING FROM THE PRESENT MOMENT IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE. They have responded to the moment vigorously, although exactly what business models will prove sustainable for the early childhood sector is uncertain. Those sectors whose services are perceived to be a luxury or whose value is not fully appreciated – congregational schools and local-level youth work stand out in this respect – have been severely challenged and have seen significant cuts in staff.
