Together for Tefillah: A Community Approach to Deepening Prayer in Jewish Day Schools

Mayberg Foundation Senior Advisor for Education Grants and Programs Rachel Abrahams recently joined our partners at the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools (COJDS) for an evening program for mothers in Long Island. The event was part of the Together for Tefillah initiative—now in its first year—a project designed to nurture a stronger connection to tefillah (prayer) among middle school students by combining in-school activities with parent involvement at home and in synagogue. Built around a shared curriculum taught in all participating schools, the program’s goal is to inspire a lasting, meaningful relationship with tefillah for Jewish day school students.

This partnership between parents and teachers is necessary in order for children to form their basic beliefs and daily habits. Accordingly, Rabbi Yoshua Yemens, COJDS’s director of development, engaged local pulpit rabbis to lead classes for parents whose children are studying the COJDS tefillah curriculum. This creates an opportunity for parents and children to learn and discuss together, deepening their shared understanding and connection to tefillah.

The evening brought together parents from several local schools for a panel discussion, “Connecting the Dots.” Mrs. Sara Duani of Shulamith School for Girls, Mrs. Batya Krasnow of Torah Academy for Girls, Rabbi Yissachar Blinder of Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, and Rabbi Yehuda Fogel of Hebrew Academy of Long Beach explored the challenges and opportunities in tefillah education, offering practical advice for parents supporting their children’s prayer experiences outside the classroom. The program’s broader aim is to weave together school-based learning and real-life practice, highlighting the value of holistic education. All the panelists emphasized that children can’t be expected to connect with prayer until they’ve begun developing their own belief in God, and that faith is something that grows gradually. Both educators and parents must be patient and supportive in this process.

“It was exciting and inspiring to see a community coming together to discuss important issues of Jewish education,” Rachel said. “We will continue to learn about the effectiveness and impact of this curriculum through the implementation in other pilot communities.”