Western Campus

Education Department Offers a Hebrew School Western Campus

Why a Western Campus, and why now? First, the demographics of Temple’s membership show large increases in the number of members choosing to live in the western and northwestern suburbs of Minneapolis at a time when the expansion of those communities has led to vastly increased traffic, especially at rush hour. It has simply become increasingly difficult for those members to transport their children to and from Hebrew School in late afternoon, and increasingly burdensome on the children themselves as they endured long rides to and from Hebrew School on school nights. It seemed time to consider arrangements that would ease some of those burdens. Second, at the time of her selection as senior rabbi and since, Rabbi Zimmerman has expressed a vision for Temple Israel that encompasses alternatives such as a Western Campus as a way of responding to the needs of a changing congregation. The Hebrew School director, Jeri Saad, and all the teachers have also expressed support for the idea. And finally, several Temple members saw the need and expressed interest in providing funds for the project, making a Western Campus feasible.

After consulting with the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, the Education Committee conducted a survey of the parents of children in the pre-K to 6th grade years to determine whether there would be sufficient interest in using a Western Campus and to solicit response to the idea from all parents. Almost 70% of parents responded to the survey, and the results provided strong support for this initiative. About half the parents who responded for each grade level indicated they would choose to use a Western Campus, and many of them were both delighted at the prospect and grateful that the Board was considering this option. At the same time, concerns were expressed by some parents, both those who would use a Western Campus and those who would continue to send their children to the Temple building, that the geographic separation of children attending Hebrew School would exacerbate a division already acknowledged to exist between the city and suburban children. We are sensitive to these concerns and made changes or enhancements to education and youth programming that would help to create a sense of community for all the children in the congregation.

On February 24, 2003, the Temple Israel Board of Directors approved the Committee's proposal to move forward on plans to create a Western Campus, contingent on finding a suitable site and on obtaining revenue independent of the Temple operating budget and Torahtaynu funds to support the new location. In a time of tight budgets for all Temple programs, a new initiative of this kind could only have been developed if it does not have a negative impact on continuing programs, and the Education Committee and the Board are committed to ensuring that is the case.

The current site for the Western Campus, which based on the demographics as well as parent comments, is being held in classrooms in the Adath Jeshuran Building. We are delighted to report to you that our relationship with Adath has been extended whereby Temple Israel will conduct Hebrew School classes at this western campus site on Tuesdays and Thursday through of May 2006. We understand from families who have sent their children to Temple Israel’s Western Campus during this year for Hebrew School, that it has been an excellence experience, as well as a very convenient location.

In April 2004, the board voted to form a strategic planning committee to do a further formal study of our educational and youth needs in order to assure that we are taking all necessary criteria into account as we think further about a Western Campus.

The Hebrew School operates exclusively at the Western Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with all teachers, the director, and the clergy on-site to provide students with a full educational experience. It continues to operate exclusively at Temple Israel on Mondays and Wednesdays. Religious School (Saturday and Sunday) continues as always at Temple Israel.

We view the establishment of a Western Campus Hebrew School as part of, not contradictory to, the commitment to maintain Temple Israel as an urban congregation. By serving our geographically dispersed congregation more effectively, we will strengthen connection to Temple Israel and its urban location for our congregants. For more information, please call or e-mail Jeri Saad at 612-374-0309.