Description
Book SynopsisDevelopment, Learning, and Community uses data drawn from a study of pluralistic Jewish high schools to illustrate the complex and often challenging interplay between the cognitive and socio-aff ective elements of education. Throughout, Kress grapples with questions such as: How can the balance between community cohesion and group diff erences be achieved in diverse settings? What are the educational implications of an approach to identity development rooted in contemporary developmental theories that posit the interaction among cognition, aff ect, and behavior? How can the “formal” and “informal” off erings of a school coalesce to address these broadly conceived identity outcomes, and what are the challenges in doing so?
Trade ReviewThis book presents an important and realistic treatment of Jewish education. Of particular value is the recognition that the formal and informal dimensions of Jewish education cannot in practice be separated. All in all, I highly recommend this book. -- Roberta Rosenberg Farber
The important thing about Jeffrey Kress’ new book is that it attempts to come to grips with the difficulties and the prospects of day school education in a pluralistic environment that is inclusive of, and respectful toward the non-Orthodox. It is a study of the practice of educating Jewish high school students enrolled in community day schools in order to maximize their Jewish identity. -- Prof. Ira Robinson
