"An exemplary PD experience!" ...
"An extraordinary gathering" ...
"An exceptional conference" ...
"Wonderful and professionally valuable"

These were just some of the comments offered by participants in the first, ever National Conference for Professional Development in Jewish Education.

JESNA provides guidance to communal agencies involved in Jewish education in their search for senior personnel. JESNA continues to work with the various professional educator organizations and the volunteer leadership to advise in the placement process of matching quality educational personnel with suitable educational programs. By serving in this coordinative way, the field of Jewish education will benefit from having the most qualified educators serving in leadership roles in the most appropriate settings.

Visit the JESNA Professional Development Center (JESNAPDC.org)

The only site of its kind, the PDC is a Resource Center for Jewish PD professionals, an audience which until now has been sorely underserved. It includes a catalog of programs, organizations and experts in the area of PD as well as a Reference Desk of articles, books and media on the topic.

With the increasing demands for senior leadership personnel in Jewish educational settings including day schools, congregational education, and central agencies, JESNA works in collaboration with our partners in the religious movements to encourage mid-career professionals with guidance in navigating the system of agencies and schools that are seeking new personnel. This process includes a close dialogue with the institutions and their search committees which facilitates the connections that are made through their professional placement offices.

The academic literature in general education reports time and again that the quality of teachers is inextricably linked to their professional development experiences, both prior to and sustained throughout their practice as educators. JESNA has undertaken to work closely with the cadre of professionals in the Jewish world who are tasked with providing staff training to the field. The work of this group directly impacts the over 60 communities and agencies it represents and trickles down to hundreds of schools and thousands of learners across North America.


Professional Development Resources