It is with pleasure and enthusiasm that we take this opportunity to let you know about the work that the Joint Jewish Education Program (J-JEP) Taskforce has been doing over the past weeks, and will continue to do in the coming months.
The J-JEP Taskforce has come together to implement the joint religious school program for the students from the Jacob Religious School at Rodef Shalom Congregation, and from Congregation Beth Shalom. As you already know, Rodef Shalom and Beth Shalom have come together and are creating a joint religious school program for both congregations that will take place on Sundays, and be held at Rodef Shalom. Weekday classes will continue as in previous years in home synagogues.
The Taskforce is comprised of lay leaders and parents from both congregations. We are laying the framework for a communally based religious school that will provide the very best Jewish education for our children. This is an exciting opportunity to build on the strengths of our individual religious school programs to maximize our resources. During the 2011-2012 school year, the seventh grade classes met together on Sundays. By joining together all of our grades for one day a week, we will continue to grow a feeling of community, vitality and energy.
For the 2012-2013 school year, Sunday classes will take place at Rodef Shalom. We plan to host an open house at Rodef Shalom for all families in August, after more of the details of the program have been worked out. In the coming months you will continue to receive more information from the Taskforce, which will be made available on the synagogue websites, sent out via email, and by other means. Look for registration materials to be sent out in the next few weeks.
We are very excited to begin this new endeavor in community based education. As we nurture our children’s Jewish education, we are also nurturing our Jewish future. We know it will be an even brighter future with our combined efforts, energy, and passion. We look forward to keeping you updated on our plans as they emerge.
B’shalom,
Members of the J-JEP Taskforce
Lisa Schlar and Laura Swiss, Co-Chairs
Amanda Greenwald, Elaine Krasik, Dan Friedman, Marshall Balk, Anne Molloy,
Adam Shear, Barak Naveh, Danielle Kranjec
Rabbi Michael Werbow, Rabbi Aaron Bisno, Liron Lipinsky, and Susan Loether
Susan began her teaching career at Rodef Shalom while a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh.
Meet Susan 
