Paramus, NJ – Yeshivat Noam has been awarded a one million dollar multi-year grant to create the school’s Educational Technology and Innovation Program. The funds will be allocated toward new and revolutionary learning techniques and curriculums and various technological advancements throughout the school. This exciting program has been designed to provide each and every one of the over 830 students at Yeshivat Noam with an exceptional and modern Judaic and secular academic experience. An improvement in the tuition profile of the school is also targeted.

This tremendously generous grant was given by founding parents Becky and Avi Katz, parents of alumnus Yoni, currently a sophomore at TABC, Michal who is in 7th grade, Tali, a 4th grader and Yehuda who is in 1st grade. In discussion about this important initiative Avi shared, “As technology is becoming a more central part of education and the world around us, ensuring that our teachers are empowered to meaningfully and effectively use technology in their classrooms has never been more essential.”  Building on this point, Becky added “We want our teachers to be constantly thinking about how the use of technology will improve their ability to meet and exceedthe students’ needs both in and out of the classroom.   It is important to not only transfer what was once on paper to a computer, but to also better differentiate and engage each student in new and creative ways.”

This transformative grant will enable Yeshivat Noam to provide:

Extensive faculty training in the area of 21st century learning

Expert consultation and instruction in the areas of 21st century learning and educational technology

Online blended learning curriculums

Infrastructure and support to further enhance the program on an ongoing basis

Mr. Seth Dimbert, a leader in the field of educational technology, innovation and 21st century learning, has been hired to lead Yeshivat Noam in this new approach to learning.  This year Yeshivat Noam will begin the process of teaching the students “The 4Cs” of 21st century learning: Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, and Critical Thinking. As the student experience and environment evolves, 21st century learning is designed to engage and enable each student to be successful in this developing educational landscape. A new committee led by Seth Dimbert and Becky Katz, called The Technology and Innovation Committee has been formed to focus on the evaluation, implementation and assessment of Yeshivat Noam’s 21st century learning progress.

Rabbi Chaim Hagler, principal of Yeshivat Noam, is thrilled about this amazing opportunity to expand this research-based, student- centered approach to learning.  “We are so fortunate to not only have the Katzs contribute their financial resources to this exciting initiative, but to also give their time and dedication to work together with our administration to design and implement this program. Becky and Avi have been engaged leaders since the founding of our school and they continue to amaze me every day with the time, talent and energy that they dedicate to our school.”

Over the past two years the infrastructure and tools necessary to integrate technology across the curriculum has also been greatly enhanced through the generosity of Dan and Marge Fried.  The Frieds are proud parents of two daughters, Rachel and Leah and a son, Sam. Sam is a Yeshivat Noam graduate and currently attends the Frisch School. Through their generous gift of 300 iPads, a Mac lab and a Mac laptop cart, Yeshivat Noam is at the forefront of integrating technology into Jewish education. Dan’s passion for educational technology and his love for Yeshivat Noam have resulted in the Frieds pledging an additional $100,000 this year toward technology and it is their intention to continue supporting Yeshivat Noam’s technology initiative for many more years to come.

Yeshivat Noam is known as a model school in the North American Jewish day school world and this transformative grant will enable Yeshivat Noam to lead the field in 21st century learning, educational innovation and technology integration.