JEIC held its 2025 Innovators Retreat in Seattle, WA, gathering over 90 educators, leaders, and funders from the Jewish day school field to connect, collaborate, and spark meaningful change, under the theme “Mission Possible.”
Co-hosted by the Mayberg Foundation and the Samis Foundation, the event offered thought-provoking sessions led by JEIC Founding Director Rabbi Shmuel Feld, Managing Director Sharon Freundel, and educational consultant Sarah Rubinson Levy on student-centered learning, God-centered education, and transforming school culture. Participants also enjoyed a gala dinner with remarks from Seattle Jewish community leadership, and an interactive workshop on reimagining Jewish day schools led by Jewish influencer Becky Tahel.
Mayberg Foundation Trustee Manette Mayberg challenged participants to rethink Jewish studies:
"How is the design of Jewish studies intentional in yielding graduates who can't wait to come back for another taste, rather than full stomachs looking for a more satisfying atmosphere?
I think the challenge starts with how we think about our students. Do we feed students information and skills for immediate, short term success, or do we deliver a tough, quality, curated experience with the life trajectory of the student and potential of a whole human being in mind?"
For the first time, the Innovators Retreat was co-hosted with a local community funding partner and held on the West Coast, which helped JEIC reach new audiences and also build connections between West Coast Jewish school leaders and DEEP providers.
“Working with Mayberg and bringing IR here has been tremendous,” said Samis Foundation CEO Connie Kanter. “We've had the opportunity to bring together educators from around the community and across the country to really work together to make our day schools the strongest they can be for Jewish future.”
Read more about IR25 in “Seattle’s Day School Revolution Gets National Recognition”, featured in the Seattle Jewish community blog The Cholent.