Jewish day schools are at a pivotal moment in their work to support diverse learners. More students are entering classrooms with a wide range of learning profiles, while educators and school leaders are working, often in isolation, to build the training, systems, and structures needed to support each child effectively. Across the field, schools have made important strides, yet many are still searching for proven models, shared language, and opportunities to learn from one another.

The Shefa Center, a division of The Shefa School, is dedicated to strengthening the capacity of Jewish day schools to support diverse learners. The Center has worked with hundreds of schools and thousands of educators to provide professional development, consultation, partnership, and training across a range of topics. This spring, that commitment comes to life in a powerful new way.

On March 8-9, The Shefa Center will host Together We Thrive: The Inaugural National Conference on Elevating Inclusion in Jewish Day Schools at The Shefa School in Manhattan. In addition to The Shefa School, “Together We Thrive” is co-sponsored by Prizmah, Gateways: Access to Jewish Education, Hidden Sparks, and REACH Chicago. This first-of-its-kind gathering responds directly to where the field is now: eager to deepen practice, strengthen systems, and move from fragmented efforts toward a more connected, strategic approach to learning support. The conference will bring together over 100 teachers, learning specialists, and directors of student support from across the country for two days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. The conference sold out within weeks of opening registration; however, anyone who signs up for the waitlist will receive follow-up materials and publications in the weeks following the conference.

The five organizations on the planning team for the conference recognize a shared opportunity: to convene the professionals doing the day-to-day work of supporting diverse learners at a moment when schools are ready to learn new strategies and build a stronger, more cohesive field. Conference participants will engage in practical training, shared strategy-building, and guided classroom observations, gaining concrete tools they can immediately bring back to their schools. Just as importantly, the conference creates a new national network of professionals committed to advancing inclusive Jewish education and the space to learn alongside peers facing similar challenges and opportunities.

Over two immersive days, participants will take part in a wide range of learning experiences designed to strengthen their practice and deepen their impact. The conference will feature systems-level sessions focused on building effective student support departments, implementing data-driven practices, and creating sustainable service models within schools. These sessions reflect a growing focus on moving beyond ad hoc support toward consistent models that evolve as student and community needs change. Participants will also join collaboration-focused workshops exploring co-teaching, family communication, and classroom-based interventions.

The program includes social-emotional learning sessions addressing ADHD, anxiety, executive functioning, and student engagement, as well as academic sessions on evidence-based literacy instruction, the science of Hebrew reading, and the role of AI in learning support. Several sessions will highlight successful inclusion models and practitioner bright spots from the field, responding to a clear desire among schools to learn not only from established experts but from one another. Guided classroom observations will give participants the opportunity to see Shefa’s practices in action and connect them directly to conference learning. Participants will have dedicated time throughout the conference to socialize, network, and build relationships with colleagues from similar roles and schools across the country.

A National Gathering with Lasting Impact

This conference aims to educate, inspire, and empower special educators to become change agents in their schools. By reducing professional silos and fostering collaboration across institutions, Together We Thrive will cultivate a sense of shared purpose and collective ownership in transforming how Jewish day schools support diverse learners. Rather than offering a one-time professional development experience, the conference is designed as a catalyst for ongoing learning, leadership, and connection across the field.

Relationships built during the conference will continue long after the event concludes, with built-in time during the conference to leverage the collective wisdom of the group in identifying follow-up opportunities and plans to stay connected. In this way, the conference serves not only as a moment of learning, but as an investment in the long-term infrastructure of Jewish day school learning support.

Accessible to Schools Nationwide

Thanks to generous philanthropic support, conference registration is fully funded. Participants are responsible only for travel and lodging, ensuring broad access for educators from schools across North America. This commitment reflects a belief that strengthening learning support is a collective responsibility and that schools should not be limited from participating in field-building opportunities due to cost.

Together We Thrive marks a milestone moment for Jewish day school education. By meeting the field where it is, building on what has already been accomplished, and pointing toward what is possible when educators learn and lead together, the conference aims to move learning support in Jewish day schools from aspiration to shared, sustainable practice. We look forward to welcoming educators from across the country to learn, collaborate, and build a stronger future for every learner.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)