Every organization depends on strong leadership. Jewish day schools are no different. The quality of each school is, in large part, dependent on having a capable, visionary leader at its helm. Therefore, the search for a head is crucial to the ongoing development and success of that school.
Schools enter into a head of school search for a number of reasons: a long-time head is moving on or retiring; a newer head is ready for the next step on their journey; or the current situation is not a good fit, and it would be best for everyone were the current head to move on. No matter what the reason, the process that emerges from the need to fill this crucial role is one that opens up wonderful learning opportunities for the school’s lay leadership. Although this can be a time of heightened emotions, it is also a time for deepening the connections between the school and its stakeholders and building excitement for the potential growth yet to come.
There are a number of elements that will be touched upon during this process. The most crucial one is to remember the school’s defining element is that it is Jewish, and the search committee needs to be sure that this is a key focus of the process. The focus will be different for each school, as each is unique in where they sit demographically, geographically, culturally, and in their specific approach to Judaism. But no matter where Judaism falls within the scope of the school, it is what differentiates that school from other excellent secular day school choices.
The search committee plays a key role in this process. It is their job to ensure that the right questions are asked and that the candidates have the knowledge and experience they need to best engage with that community. There are several key priorities from a Jewish standpoint that search committees should focus on during this process in order to reflect the mission, values, traditions, and educational objectives of the school they serve. Specific priorities will shift, but these common themes should guide the lay leaders in their engagement with their community and with the candidates.
Preserving and Strengthening Jewish Identity: A fundamental priority in Jewish day school leadership is creating the environment and experiences to preserve and strengthen the Jewish identity of the students, alumni, and other members of the school community such as faculty members and parents. Instilling a strong sense of pride in one's Judaism, a feeling of belonging, and an ongoing development of significant meaning in Jewish culture, learning, and tradition is key to the role of the leader. Ensuring that a leader can maintain and grow a program that develops a deep connection to Jewish roots should be a high priority for a new head of school.
Developing Excellence in Jewish Learning: As a search committee looks for its next leader, they should focus on someone with a vision of how best to combine rigorous general studies with a complimentary program in Jewish and Hebrew studies that allows for deep engagement with text, robust discussion for meaningful connections and relevance, and a program that will cultivate a desire for and love of ongoing learning and engagement in Jewish life. Key also is ensuring a strong Israel curriculum that allows for a love of Medinat Yisrael, Am Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael while allowing for a serious study of history and support of the contemporary State of Israel.
Living Judaism: Robust experiences for students must be part of the leader's priorities. From weekly Shabbat celebrations to the joyous marking of chagim, shabbatonim, and extracurricular opportunities, making the time for students to live and celebrate Judaism must be on the agenda of the school’s leader.
Fostering Community and Values: Instilling and modeling a strong sense of ethics and responsibility towards community is another critical element of leadership. One must foster a sense of social justice, tikkun olam, and ethical and just behavior in the entire school community. Showing, by action, how being a part of a community fosters strength in one's Judaism is also the responsibility of the head of school.
Being the Face of the School: Be it in the Jewish community or the broader one, the head of school must appropriately represent who the school is at all times and assure that the school is a key player in the community.
Maintaining Inclusivity: Each day school is unique in its makeup of Jewish families. There must be appropriate action and modeling on the part of the head of school to welcome students from all backgrounds that make up the school community and ensure an environment where all students and their families feel a sense of belonging.
Serving as head of a Jewish day school is an honor, and with it comes the responsibility for ensuring the future of the Jewish people. A priority for all leaders must be to prepare their students for a life guided by Jewish values, traditions, and a commitment to being active and informed members of their Jewish communities. As the search committees prepare to engage in the sacred task of finding their next leader, the elements outlined above must be high on the priority list. It is these priorities that make our day schools outstanding beacons of the Jewish future.