(Courtesy of OFE/HP) The Orthodox Forum of Edison/Highland Park will present a panel discussion with educators and innovators on day school sustainability and affordability solutions on Saturday, March 3, at 8 p.m., at Congregation Etz Ahaim, 230 Dennison Street, Highland Park.
The panel includes Rabbi Tomer Ronen, the head of school at Yeshivat He’Atid; Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene, a former yeshiva principal and a founder of SINAI Schools; and Josh Caplan, executive director of Teach NJS. Each of them brings extensive experience and their own unique perspective to the conversation.
Rav Tomer Ronen began his career in the United States as a teacher and junior high school coordinator at SAR Academy in Riverdale, New York. Following SAR, he held the position of Rosh HaYeshiva at Ben Porat Yosef in Paramus, New Jersey for 10 years. In the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, Rav Ronen joined Yeshivat He’Atid as head of school. With the success Yeshivat He’Atid is seeing through the academic growth of their students, Rav Ronen’s larger vision and goal is to bring Yeshivat He’Atid’s educational model to those communities across the United States who feel passionate about providing their children with a high-quality academic Jewish education in an affordable manner.
Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene has an extensive background in day school education as an educator, administrator and advocate. He obtained his rabbinic ordination and doctorate from Yeshiva University, where he also received his undergraduate degree. He served as the principal of several day schools including the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and as the director of Jewish educational services for the UJA of MetroWest and of Northern New Jersey. He is the founder of the SINAI Schools and lobbied for the passage of PL 190-191, which provides supplementary services to day schools. Dr. Greene was the president of the National Board of License for Teachers and Principals of Schools in North America and chairman of the board of the Educators Council of America and writes a column on Jewish education for The Jewish Link.
Josh Caplan is the executive director of Teach NJS, an educational advocacy organization fighting for fair government funding for New Jersey’s nonpublic school students. Teach NJS is a collaboration of day schools, Jewish Federations, synagogues, lay leaders and the Orthodox Union. Caplan joined Teach NJS after serving as director of development and community outreach at Manhattan Day School. Josh has been involved as a lay leader in numerous nonprofit organizations, both Jewish and secular. Teach NJS urges members of the New Jersey Jewish community to get involved and become advocates for fairness in education funding.
The program is free of charge. The Orthodox Forum gladly accepts season sponsorships, as well as program sponsorships. For more information, go online to www.orthodoxjewishforum.org
