Press Release from United Synagogue
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is pleased to announce that Congregation Knesset Israel of Pittsfield is one of the first religious schools in Massachusetts to receive recertification as a Framework for Excellence School. Their first designation was acknowledged in 2002. Knesset Israel Hebrew School is only one of 23 schools nationwide to be so recognized in 2009, marking it as one of the top religious schools in the country.
This prestigious certification marks the fact that Knesset Israel Hebrew School has met rigorous standards in all academic areas that include: professional development, curriculum development and family education. Further, it has demonstrated that it has met all of the goals, aims and benchmarks necessary to be considered a school of exceptional academic quality.
As a Framework for Excellence School, Knesset Israel Hebrew School has been recognized for its ability to integrate formal and informal educational programming in a seamless way further highlighting the importance of both. This standard for academic excellence also recognizes the Congregation’s success in creating a partnership between the professional staff and the lay leadership in building the kind of relationships that result in establishing high quality, meaning centered religious school learning opportunities.
Especially noteworthy is the high energy of Education Director Myrna Hammerling driven to provide exciting, kid friendly, high quality, joyful education for her students. An accomplished educator with a Masters degree in Secondary Education (English and Speech) and a Masters degree from Jewish Theological Seminary in Judaic Studies, Ms. Hammerling has put her mark on the school and congregation by propelling it to national heights of recognition. Her capable staff of teachers including Ruth Cohen, Ed Udel, Darlene Weeks, Susan Federspiel, Liat Lazarovich, Eve Cameron and Jeffrey Siegel, play an integral part of the overall educational program. Together all are exemplary role models for their students as they engage in the sacred task of transmitting Jewish traditions.
The United Synagogue “Framework for Excellence” certification is testimony to the fact that Congregation Knesset Israel has assembled a solid educational team that works closely with the lay leadership, parents and students to create to sustain a unique school insuring the future of Judaism in America.
KNESSET ISRAEL PROUDLY SALUTES OUR EDUCATION DIRECTOR,
MYRNA HAMMERLING, FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS HONOR