The League of Extraordinary Educators Comes Together at NCJC

New City Jewish Center welcomed two new directors to their education department this summer in the hopes of creating a team that will better the synagogue and the congregation.

Jackie Binstock and Henry Bernstein were hired as the Director of Early Childhood Education and the Director of Informal Education, respectively, and started in their positions on July 1.

The two will make up the education team along with Lynne Diwinsky who has worked at NCJC for 41 years, and serves as the Director of Formal Education.

Alyce Kitt, the current President of NCJC, described the hiring process as extensive. The committee was searching for those with both an education and Judaic background, and someone who had served as a director in the past. The committee interviewed many candidates in person and via Skype, Kitt said, and as the candidates narrowed, the committee watched them do mock lessons.

Kitt said NCJC chose well, and looks forward to recreating the sense of a team that was implemented years ago, but then lost.

“We’re really excited about the new team,” Kitt said. “They each have something different to offer.”

The idea of an education team is that the directors will come together, and by using each individual’s strengths, create something really powerful.

“By working in a team, there will be more fluidity in what can happen in the programs—they will be able to create synergy,” Kitt said.

Henry Bernstein, the new Director of Informal Education, heard about the position through the Jewish Educators Assembly. Prior to NCJC, Bernstein served as a Youth Director of a Chicago synagogue after getting his Masters degree in Jewish Professional Studies. After eight years in the same position, he craved new experiences, and the chance to grow as a Jewish educator, he said.

“I wanted to go beyond planning programs for teens,” Bernstein said. “I want to also focus on education, and mentoring.”

In his new position, Bernstein will be overseeing the youth department, running high holidays for children and families, and taking part in adult education by organizing events and getting speakers. Bernstein will also assist with the Hebrew enrichment program in the nursery school.

While Bernstein acclimates to a new home, state, community and job, he is truly looking forward to meeting the teenagers and families of the congregation, he told Patch.

Over the course of the next year Bernstein hopes to, “try some new things without taking away from the past, teach and learn from the children and try to extend participation in the Sabbath and the holidays,” he said.

Binstock has been working with children since 1975, when she taught in a nursery school. Over the course of her 38-year career, Binstock has also served as an elementary school teacher and the director of a nursery school. For many summers, she was the Rosh Edah, or division head, of campers entering the first grade at Camp Ramah Nyack.

Now, she is serving as the principal of NCJC’s nursery school, a position she found out about through a parent in the community.

According to Binstock, her job is, “to facilitate what the kids, parents and teachers need. I make sure everything is running smoothly and that the kids are happy and learning.”

Binstock’s also has to make sure the teachers are in continuing education classes, know what’s coming up on the horizon of education, and help parents realize their needs and visions for their children.

NCJC’s nursery school runs during the school year Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., with enrichment programs that run until 2:30 p.m., and is available to children ages two through four.

New this year to the nursery school is an enhanced Jewish aspect.

On Fridays, the children will listen to Torah stories, learn about cultural topics like tzedakah and mitzvot, and will be exposed to Hebrew to a higher degree.

“The school had the Jewish aspect before, we’re just trying to ramp it up,” Binstock said. Binstock and the teachers are trying to incorporate Judaism into the classroom to a greater extent.

“We’re trying to ignite that little spark in the children to try to keep them and their families connected to Judaism,” Binstock added.  

Diwinsky began working for NCJC not long after it’s opening, and is looking forward to the re-establishment of a team of educators. 

Diwinsky serves as the Director of Education, family education, and adult education, and is the principal of the Hebrew School, which is attended by 150 students.

On the team, Diwinsky said, “we’re trying to change the culture, and bring back community and dedication to the synagogue.”

In Diwinsky’s mind, the goal is not just educating children, but the whole family.

Over the course of her long career, Diwinsky has noticed a lot of changes in Judaism and Jews themselves, noting the shift in generations.

“What Jews want in the 21st century is different than what they wanted 50 years ago,” Diwinsky said.

Diwinsky has found that modern Jews are using other avenues aside from their synagogue for a religious connection, like the JCC or private tutoring. Additionally, she has witnessed a decrease in observance over time.

“Lots of families have left their observance level, so we want to help them reconnect,” she said. “We [NCJC] need to develop a balance of tradition and innovation so that it speaks to everyone.”

Diwinsky also hopes that the new team will be able to change what she calls, “the graying of the conservative movement.” True conservative Jews are slowly diminishing, with many becoming more reformed or more orthodox with the changing times. However, many of these Jews still belong to conservative temples because that’s how they grew up.

Over the next two months, these three team members will be in the planning stages of the school year, working on curriculums and programming.

“There’s so much to do over the summer,” Kitt said. “These next two months will be intense.”

Yet despite their workload, the team members are optimistic and ready for the new school year.

“We’re going to try and make it the best it can be,” Binstock said. “We’re just going to keep trying to move it forward.”