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The Curriculum Initiative (TCI)

While the prevailing model in Jewish education has been to pull Jewish students out of their everyday environments, isolating them from their non-Jewish peers, such an approach fails to resonate with many of today’s teens. Independent school students in particular, taught at an early age to prioritize diversity, often find this self-separation to be discordant with their lives. This too explains in part why so many teens habitually avoid extracurricular Jewish activities in favor of their school and social commitments.

TCI meets these challenges by supporting Jewish culture and identity at, and in partnership with, independent schools. Our programs are integrated elements of each independent school community, providing teens with rich Jewish opportunities and resources in the very places where they live and learn each day.

TCI does not use any criteria to identify our Jewish students, and our programs are open to Jewish students, friends, and allies. TCI’s vision is rooted in the notion that Jewish students are full participants in multicultural school communities, and that great diversity exists among Jewish students. Our programs are student-centered rooted in students' interests.

Programs We Offer to Open Our Tent

  • Public Space Judaism programs > "Celebrations"
  • Public Space Judaism programs > "Menorah Lighting"
  • Beginner Hebrew Classes
  • Financial Needs/Incentives (offered without requiring newcomers to ask first)
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT)
  • Holiday How-To Workshops
  • Introduction to Judaism/"Derekh Torah"
  • Beginner Hebrew Classes > Learners Seder
  • Beginner Hebrew Classes > Learners Shabbat
  • Multiracial and Jews of Color
  • Public Space Judaism programs
  • Financial Needs/Incentives (offered without requiring newcomers to ask first) > Publicly-Advertised Membership Discounts
  • Staff Sensitivity Training
  • Young Adults

Affiliation

N/A 		The Curriculum Initiative (TCI)

  • 6 East 46th Street, Suite 502
    New York, NY 10017
    We are a nationwide organization
  • (646) 230-1630 phone
    (646) 230-1633 fax
  • www.tcionline.org
Contact Person
Adam Gaynor, Acting Executive Director
agaynor@tcionline.org