Championing Jewish Day Schools - Your Quick Messaging Guide
At the May 2025 World Jewry Congress, Dan Senor delivered a deeply moving address that many of us have heard or read about by now. In a world where antisemitism is rising and Jewish identity is being tested, Senor offered a powerful call to action: we cannot control the hatred, but we can control how we respond—and that begins with education.
In a speech that wove personal narrative, historical reflection, and present-day urgency together, Senor made a compelling case for immersive Jewish experiences as the antidote to fear and disconnection. He called out Jewish day schools—our schools—as among the most vital institutions in securing a bright and resilient Jewish future.
Here are key takeaways that you can integrate into your enrollment and development messaging:
Jewish day school alumni lead with confidence. Nearly every Jewish college student leading their campus' pro-Israel and Jewish identity efforts had attended a Jewish day school. The connection is causal, not coincidental. We know from Prizmah's alumni on campus report earlier this year that day school alumni are more engaged in Israel and the greater Jewish community.
Schools shape not just students, but families. When a child enrolls, the whole family joins a community.
Our schools are anchored in Jewish values, offer clarity, and are unapologetically supportive in standing with Israel–in moments of crisis and every day.
From Miami to Salt Lake City to the Tikvah Fund to $90 million in Cleveland support, Jewish day schools are growing and evolving.
Let's take it a step further:
Emphasize that day school is not a luxury, rather an essential investment in a child's future and a family's identity. Use supporting statistics from this address, the Prizmah report, and other concrete data points in 1:1 conversations with your families, infographics, and HOS/schoolwide communications.
On your website and in printed + digital materials, speak to what Senor called “Jewish muscle memory” which include the values, practices, and relationships that are second nature in a day school environment. Show AND tell the story in multiple ways via multiple channels. Equip your parent and student ambassadors, and Board members with these talking points.
Shift the affordability conversation from being solely about what individual families have to sacrifice, to one that emphasizes why the entire Jewish community must invest in making Jewish education accessible and prioritized.
Remember that this isn't just about recruitment. Many day school families make enrollment decisions on a year-to-year-basis. Internal marketing is critical.
Finally, thread the needle for families and donors. Make no assumptions about what they do/do not know about the value of a Jewish day school education.
"At our school, Jewish identity isn't just taught, it is lived, celebrated, and cultivated every day.
"We don't just educate minds. We raise mensches. We nurture leaders. We build resilience."
