A Systems Approach to School and Synagogue Change: The Case of Beth Am Israel, in Agenda: Jewish Education

Synagogues and their schools are seeking ways to operate as an integrated whole by focusing on systemic transformation rather than “additive change.” Congregation Beth Am Israel in Philadelphia has done just that, and has achieved transformative change thanks to its systems framework, in which the school and the synagogue recognized themselves as partners trying to achieve a common goal. In this case study, the authors examine: (a) how Beth Am Israel operated ten years ago; (b) how they identified a common goal; (c) how they redesigned the system to reach their goal; (d) what changes were identified and how were they implemented. They conclude that “a systems approach is a promising tool for congregations seeking to move beyond disjointed efforts at change and pursue a more integrated model of Jewish religious community.”

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