Englewood—Rabbi Yoni Fein, Middle School Assistant Principal of Judaic Studies and Jewish Life at The Moriah School, has just returned from Cambridge, MA, where he participated in Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership, a seminar at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Principals’ Center for emerging leaders. This week-long institute is part of a larger, year-long program, sponsored and facilitated by the AVI CHAI Foundation, to enable day school leaders to improve their schools, with special focus on their Jewish mission and vision.

The AVI CHAI Foundation, a New York–based private foundation dedicated to promoting Jewish commitment, sponsored Rabbi Yoni Fein and 13 other eligible day school principals from around the country to attend the seminar to help address the professional development of day school leaders with a particular emphasis on their role in promoting the Jewish mission of their schools.

Participants attended lectures and discussion groups led by Harvard faculty, educational consultants and school practitioners. The program focuses on the challenges facing new school leaders and supports participants as they develop skills for leadership. Rigorous study is combined with writing, reflection and peer interaction, allowing participants to identify priorities and share ideas and solutions. In addition, they attended AVI CHAI sessions, facilitated by Jonathan Cannon, former head of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD, applying what was learned at Harvard to the Jewish purpose of their schools.

“It was a wonderful experience for me,” said Rabbi Fein. “At Harvard, I attended lively, thought-provoking sessions exploring the components of what makes a good school. We learned how to enhance the quality of the school experience for everyone—students, teachers and administrators alike. The AVI CHAI sessions for principals of Jewish day schools allowed us the chance to discuss those issues close to our heart—creating the most effective atmosphere for the Jewish and general education of our children. I am looking forward to bringing these new skills back to The Moriah School.”

Mem Bernstein, Chairman of AVI CHAI’s Board of Trustees, says, “Strong instructional leadership is critical to achieving AVI CHAI’s goal of enhancing the Jewish education provided by day schools. Through these institutes we aim to provide Jewish day school leaders with an intensive opportunity to reflect on school leadership with leading academics and with practitioners from across North America.”