The Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) believes that day schools are essential for fostering an engaged Jewish people for an enduring future.
With over twelve years of experience and expertise leading the diverse day school field, we focus on three critical levers: professional leadership, board governance, and financial sustainability. Our strategic initiatives in these areas take place at the local, regional, and national levels.
PEJE's work with major stakeholders in the Jewish community extends across denominations to leaders from day schools, day school networks, federations, foundations, and central educational agencies. We use knowledge, research, and advocacy to advance interest in and support of day school as an exemplary and affordable educational option.
By catalyzing Jewish day schools to become the pinnacle of inspired, inspiring, and sought-after education, we ensure lasting connections to Jewish heritage and the Jewish people.
The work of PEJE across North America is made possible by the support of a partnership of visionary philanthropists and foundations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PEJE's new direction?
PEJE is dedicated to catalyzing the day school field to create irresistible, exemplary, and affordable education by working primarily in three key areas to improve school growth and stability:
- Heads of School - equipping sitting heads for success, expanding the number of qualified candidates, and fostering strategic leadership transition.
- Boards - driving the governance of schools through skill-building work with board members and promoting a stronger pipeline of senior leadership.
- Financial Sustainability - increasing the resources available to schools and professionalizing the development capacity.
Why is PEJE doing this now?
The dramatic growth that day schools have undergone in the last 20 years has reached a natural plateau. While PEJE invested its resources during its first 12 years in seeding new schools and building the capacity of existing schools, the new reality calls for higher-level leadership that focuses on sustaining the growth day schools have already achieved. Engaging school leaders, industry consultants, and Jewish communal leadership with PEJE experts in our strategic planning process, we identified three critical levers for day school sustainability: inspiring professional leadership, strategic board governance, and financial sustainability. PEJE believes that investing our resources into these three critical areas is the most direct and effective path to strengthening the day school field.
How can day schools benefit from PEJE's work?
A number of PEJE initiatives are designed to assist individual schools and the day school field as a whole. Advocacy programs help raise awareness of day schools and their needs and to build support for day schools in the general Jewish community. Communities of Practice connect leaders from across North America. PEJE publications, along with the Knowledge section of this web site, make PEJE's learnings, perspectives, and suggestions available to all day school professionals and lay leaders at minimal or no cost. PEJE sponsors conferences on a regional and continental scale.
Does PEJE support a particular kind of school?
PEJE's programs are open to schools across the denominational spectrum, in communities of all sizes and geographic locations in North America. PEJE-supported schools include Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Community day schools. We work closely with the denominational networks such as Yeshiva University Institute for University-School Partnership, PARDeS, RAVSAK, and SSDSA, as well as with national organizations dedication to Jewish education such as JESNA. We work with elementary, middle, and high schools.
How is PEJE governed?
The PEJE partners comprise the organization's board of directors. Some partners are advised by professional delegates, who are in frequent contact with PEJE staff and with one another. Through board meetings held several times a year, the partners make decisions about PEJE policy and future initiatives, guided by the mission and by the insights of the PEJE staff and professional delegates.
How were the original PEJE partners chosen?
After conceiving of the idea for PEJE, Michael Steinhardt approached those individuals whom he thought would be interested in joining the endeavor. After securing the commitment of Charles Schusterman, z"l, he contacted many of his philanthropic associates, which included the individuals and organizations that came together to form PEJE.
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