A historic transition in American Jewish education has unfolded as Queens' Solomon Schechter school, once a flagship of Conservative Judaism, has officially transformed into an Orthodox institution. The school, which recently announced its rebranding as Queens Hebrew Academy, marks a significant shift in North American Jewish educational landscape.
According to Principal Rafi Kelman, speaking to NY Jewish Week, the transformation began seven years ago when parents requested an Orthodox prayer option with gender separation. The traditional service proved so popular that only two students continued attending mixed-gender prayers, ultimately leading to a complete shift in the school's religious orientation.
The school, located in Kew Gardens Hills - a stronghold of Orthodox Judaism in New York City - now serves approximately 465 students, with Principal Kelman estimating that over 90% identify as Orthodox. Many students come from the local Bukharian Jewish community, reflecting the neighborhood's strong traditional Jewish presence.
Karen Hazan, a school board trustee, explained the name change as a necessary alignment with the institution's current identity. "We've changed so much of what we do in the building that it's confusing to still be called Schechter," she stated. The school had previously been named after Solomon Schechter, a Conservative Jewish leader who passed away in 1915.
The challenge of the school's former identity has also affected recruitment efforts. "Parents searching for Schechter don't find what they're expecting, while those who might think Schechter isn't religious enough for them don't enroll their children, believing it's too liberal," Hazan elaborated.
This transformation reflects broader demographic shifts in American Jewish communities. The Solomon Schechter Day School Network, which operates numerous Jewish schools across the United States, has historically been associated with the Conservative movement. This particular institution's evolution highlights the changing needs and preferences of local Jewish communities.
Originally, the school followed the standard Conservative movement practice of mixed-gender prayer services. However, parent pressure for traditional Orthodox-style separated prayer services initiated the transformation that would ultimately change the institution's entire religious character.
The school notified families of the name change last month, emphasizing that the transition "reflects the evolving needs of the community." The rebranding to Queens Hebrew Academy marks the end of an era for what was once part of North America's largest Jewish denomination's educational network, while signaling the growing influence of Orthodox Judaism in certain New York neighborhoods.
Behadrei Haredim contributed to this article.
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