Fourteen years before October 7, a head of school persuades a family to send their child to a Jewish day school. That child continues through Jewish education all the way to high school—and in the process, the child’s father is inspired to become the national lay chair of a vital organization supporting Israel during one of its most critical moments.
At another school, a lay board recognizes the pressures placed on a first-year head of school—young, talented, but new to the role. Understanding the risks of burnout, they implement a wellness framework: setting boundaries around late-night communication and weekend obligations. Their goal is simple but profound—sustainability. By supporting their head, they’re investing in a long-term vision for Jewish leadership.
Elsewhere, a rising executive at a major U.S. corporation makes a bold and unexpected pivot—leaving the corporate world to become a head of school. Under her leadership, the school is revitalized, attracting a new generation of families to Jewish education and reshaping the Jewish future for years to come.
These are not just stories of professional success—they are reminders of the ripple effect of strong leadership.
And yet, we live in a time when quick fixes and surface-level influencers dominate our feeds and definitions of success. Anti-aging experts, beauty gurus, and fitness influencers preach instant solutions and perfection, offering neatly packaged answers to life’s deepest insecurities. “Do this one thing,” they say, “and everything will fall into place.”
But the path of real leadership—especially in Jewish education—is far from instantaneous.
True leaders know that:
Transformation takes time. Excellent Jewish schools are built through sustained, collective effort—often over years, not weeks.
The mission is generational. Jewish schools are not only for today’s students, but for tomorrow’s Jewish people.
Leadership is often invisible. There are few public accolades or viral moments. But there is deep fulfillment in seeing the long-term impact on students, families, and communities.
As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l wrote:
“To be a leader, you do not need a crown or robes of office. All you need to do is to write your chapter in the story…”
That’s the heart of the work at the Jewish School Leadership Enterprise (JSLE): finding, supporting, and inspiring the next generation of Jewish day school leaders—the quiet influencers who will write the next chapters of our communal story.
We’re not here to replicate existing programs. Our mission is to reach people across all life stages—from those already in education, to young professionals choosing a path, to career-changers with a calling—and help them see the impact they can make through school leadership.
Our Career Advisor Program connects aspiring leaders with experienced heads of school for personalized mentoring and real guidance. It’s a way to explore what a meaningful, purpose-driven career in Jewish education could look like.
If you’re curious about stepping into this work, you can visit us at JewishSchoolLeader.com to learn more.
Because every school leader adds a vital voice to the story of Jewish education. Their unique strengths and passions shape not only institutions—but the future of the Jewish people. The work is hard. The stakes are high. But the opportunity to make a lasting difference is limitless.
Jason Ablin has worked in Jewish education as a teacher, administrator, principal and head of school for over 35 years. He is the director of the Jewish School Leadership Enterprise (JSLE) and runs the Jewish Education Excellence Project at American Jewish University’s Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership in Los Angeles.