The visions, models and insights from five congregations are described. Each model demands innovation in multiple parts of the educational system. The models are:
- Temple Israel of New Rochelle—Lilmod B’Yachad: an alternative to weekly Sunday religious school classes for third and fourth grade students and their families.
- Congregation Shaaray Tefillah—Family Journeys: K-2 families will select from 4-6 different journeys depending on their family area of interest. The journey will have a core curriculum, and families will choose one program track for the school year.
- Midway Jewish Center—Bet Family Shabbat Experience, a model with three Shabbat dinners per year, where children will progressively lead greater portions of the prayers. The model is accompanied by a Bet Parent Torah course.
- Reform Temple of Forest Hills—Shabbat Central: a school-wide family program meeting several times a year and replacing regular Sunday school classes. It includes adult and children learning experiences.
- Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore—three models are provided. (A) Co-op model for Kindergarten and 1st grade, in which parents bring dinner twice a year to class. (B) B’yachad Model, an alternative to the two-day-a-week religious school. (C) Kehillah Model, in which the congregation is divided into ten kehillot. The kehillot meets six times a year for community learning and celebration.