Central Agencies and Voluntary Covenant: Making a Compelling Case for Standards

Publication Date: January 2002

Publisher: Jewish Education Service of North America

Author(s): Avi West

Research Area: Culture and religion; Education

Keywords: Jewish education; Organizational Development; Jewish text

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The author responds to the interview with Dr. Ada Beth Cutler in this issue of Agenda. He puts forth a model of "voluntary covenant" in which standards could operate to improve Jewish education without the element of accountability. In the author's formulation, equity would be an expression of tzedek; legislated goals (din) would need to be balanced with specific circumstances and local realities (rachamim).