When schools and community organizations come together with shared purpose, powerful learning happens. The ongoing partnership between JFS and The Rashi School through the JFS/Rashi Learning and Leadership Council is a shining example of what’s possible when vision, expertise, and commitment align.
Designed to help middle school students grow as thoughtful, capable leaders, the Council provides real-world tools for navigating an increasingly complex world. With each session, students are challenged not only to think critically about their values, but to put those values into action in their school and broader community.
Values in Action
At the January 2026 session, 53 students gave up recess and class time to participate—an extraordinary testament to the program’s impact. The session, “Values in Action,” facilitated by the inspiring Micol Zimmerman Burkeman, MAJE, ACC Founder & Chief of Wonder Coaching, encouraged students to recognize and respond to values as they see them lived out around them. Through engaging activities centered on collaboration and communication, students were invited to reflect deeply and leave with a clear charge: notice, name, and embody the values that strengthen their community.
The response was immediate. By the following morning, several students had already expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate.
As Joni Fishman, Dean of Student Development and High School Placement at The Rashi School, shared in a note to the JFS team:
“It is so exciting to see that we originally made clear that ‘leaders are not born, but taught’ has really become a goal for so many of our students: to have the tools and strategies to be effective leaders in whatever they do.”
Her words capture the heart of the partnership. Leadership is not an abstract concept reserved for the future—it is a skill set that can be nurtured, practiced, and strengthened now.
A True Partnership in Action
The strength of the JFS/Rashi Learning and Leadership Council lies in its collaborative foundation. JFS brings deep expertise in community engagement and values-based programming. The Rashi School brings a dynamic student body eager to grow and a school culture rooted in purpose and responsibility. Together, they create an environment where students feel heard, respected, and empowered.
The impact extends beyond the classroom:
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Students are developing language and confidence around their values.
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They are learning to listen across differences.
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They are practicing leadership in real time.
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They are choosing to participate—even when it means sacrificing free time.
This is what partnership looks like at its best: shared vision, mutual respect, and a belief that young people are capable of extraordinary growth when given the right tools.
Investing in a Better Future
The JFS/Rashi Learning and Leadership Council reflects a broader commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate community. By investing in middle school students today, JFS and The Rashi School are shaping leaders who understand that values matter—and that leadership is an active responsibility.
With growing student interest and continued enthusiasm from educators and facilitators alike, the partnership stands as a model for how schools and community organizations can work together to make meaningful, lasting impact.
Because leaders are not born, they are taught—and together, JFS and The Rashi School are teaching them well.