Why "JQuest" instead of "Religious School"?

There are many reasons we decided to change the name of our program, but perhaps the most important reason is that the term “Religious School” just doesn’t fit, as neither “religious” nor “school” is a good description of our program of Jewish education for kids at Temple Isaiah:

• Jewish education works best when it doesn't look like, sound like, or feel like "school."  Yes, we have a curriculum and teachers, and yes, our goals include student learning and discovery.  However, that's where the similarities between "Jewish education" and "school" should end.  We do not teach subject matter for the sake of mastery of facts or progression from one grade to the next.  Rather, we are trying to develop identity, seeking to instill in our children a sense of commitment to and excitement about Jewish life and Jewish peoplehood.  Many studies have shown that the best forms of Jewish education (i.e. the ones that 'work' the best) are informal - Jewish camps, youth groups, trips to Israel, etc.  So the less our educational programs look like 'school,' the more successful they will be in trying to achieve our goals of building Jewish identity, connection, knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment.

• Jewish education is not necessarily (and certainly not always) "religious."  Judaism is a religion, but it is also a culture, a people, a way of life, a tradition, a community, a nation, a civilization, a sense of identity and a way of seeing and understanding the world.  Jewish education ought to help kids discover various entry points to Jewish life - to see themselves as part of the chain of tradition of the Jewish people, in whatever way that might be.  So when we call our program "religious," it can be misleading.  For some people, the religious aspect of Jewish life is essential, compelling, and meaningful.  For others, the term 'religious' is a turn-off and something to avoid.  We do talk about and learn about 'religious' things in Jewish education - we explore different connections to God, we study 'religious' texts, we experience prayer - but it is a misnomer to say that what we are doing is 'Religious School' in its entirety.

We changed many aspects of our education program in the last seven years, but we had not yet changed the name… so it is time!  Our parent committee (formerly known as the “Religious School Advisory Group”) spent many months working on the change.  We discussed the attributes of our program and the feelings we want the new name to evoke.  We researched the names of other synagogue-based Jewish education programs for kids, we brainstormed entirely new names, and we consulted with Temple Isaiah’s clergy.  In the end, we chose the name “JQuest” in order to capture the spirit of Jewish learning, discovery, community, and fun that our students and families experience in Temple Isaiah’s education program.  We hope all our families will embrace the new name and will find it preferable to talk about sending your kids to “JQuest” as opposed to “Religious School.”   Your child’s Jewish quest awaits!