PELIE, the Partnership for Effective Learning and Innovative Education, is a partnership of visionary funders, whose mission is to substantially improve complementary Jewish education in America and to thereby transform the reality, perception and funding of the field.

Complementary Jewish education

Often referred to as Hebrew school or Sunday school, complementary Jewish education takes place today in a variety of formats—from congregational to non-congregational; from afterschool to home schooling to informal experiential settings. PELIE is investing in the future of 230,000 children in more than 2,000 of these part-time programs in North America.

Reality

Today complementary Jewish education includes successful, innovative, substantive, and proven models and educational experiences across the country. These endeavors are led by committed, inspired, and motivated teachers, parents, professionals and funders. PELIE is supporting those models and individuals that are bringing excellent Jewish learning to the next generation.

Perception

A much maligned and neglected field of Jewish education is changing. Complementary Jewish education comes in all shapes, sizes, and models. It is filled with wonderful teachers, heroes, innovators, and systemic thinkers. PELIE is serving as a champion for complementary Jewish education vocally advocating for successful educational experiences and showcasing programs that work.

Funding

Substantial improvement requires significant financial support. PELIE is seeking partners—champions—who will infuse the field of complementary Jewish education both nationally and locally with required resources long overdue.

Current Work

PELIE believes that great Jewish education is the product of the interaction of the following six key educational components working together on an ongoing basis: program assessment, developing and implementing a clear sense of mission and vision by lay and professional leadership, leadership development, teacher training, curriculum development, and parent involvement (family education).

PELIE uses this as a platform in its work:

• Adapting the Boston based Kesher after school program and Philadelphia based NESS (Nurturing Excellence in Synagogue Schools) systemic change initiative for implementation in new settings
• Implementing the JSASIP (Jewish School Assessment School Improvement Process) in five communities
• Studying community-wide systemic change efforts
• Convening conversations for change in the field
• Funding exploration grants which nurture proven models and ideas which are currently shifting the way in which we think about complementary Jewish education