WEST HARTFORD – Rabbi Jeremy Bruce, head of school of the Hebrew High School of New England (HHNE) in West Hartford, was among 14 day school principals from around the country who recently participated in “Leadership: An Evolving Vision,” a seminar at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Principals’ Center for experienced educational leaders. Sponsored and facilitated by the AVI CHAI Foundation, the week-long institute is part of a larger, year-long program to enable day school leaders to improve their schools, with special focus on their Jewish mission and vision,

AVI CHAI, a New York-based private foundation dedicated to promoting Jewish commitment, sponsored the 14 principals to aid in the professional development of day school leaders with a particular emphasis on their role in promoting the Jewish mission of their schools.

Participants attended lectures and discussion groups led by Harvard faculty, educational consultants and school practitioners. The program focused on the challenges facing experienced school leaders, seeking to inspire the principals to lead instructional improvements at their schools.

“It was a wonderful experience for me,” said Rabbi Bruce. “At Harvard, I attended inspirational, cutting-edge and thought- provoking sessions exploring the components of what makes an outstanding school. We learned how to enhance the quality of the school experience for everyone – students, teachers and administrators alike. The AVI CHAI sessions for leaders of Jewish day schools allowed us the chance to discuss those issues close to our heart – creating the most effective atmosphere for the Jewish and general education of our children. I am looking forward to bringing these new skills back to HHNE.”

CAP: Rabbi Jeremy Bruce at Harvard’s “Leadership: An Evolving Vision” seminar this summer.