FAQ
About JPAS
What is JPAS?
Jewish Parent Alliance in Schools (JPAS) is a national, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit. JPAS advances Jewish identity and belonging in private K–12 schools by preparing Jewish parents to engage constructively with their schools.
Why parents?
Parents are permanent members of the school community. They have the deepest investment in their children and the greatest opportunity to become trusted partners in school life. Preparing parents is not separate from institutional change; it is part of how institutional change happens.
Why private schools?
Private schools are self-governing, each making its own decisions about culture, curriculum, and community life, and they educate many future civic, business, and communal leaders. Improving the experience of Jewish students there creates ripple effects well beyond a single school.
How is JPAS different from legacy national organizations?
We work alongside them, not instead of them. National organizations bring expertise, research, and reach, and JPAS partners with them and refers families to them. Our distinct role is preparing the people who are already inside the school community: parents. We specialize entirely in the private school context and in building parent capacity for constructive engagement.
Does JPAS take political positions?
JPAS is a nonpartisan organization. We recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland, and we believe Jewish history, identity, and the Jewish people’s historic connection to Israel are essential components of a complete education about the Jewish people. That is a statement about identity and history, not politics: JPAS does not take positions on U.S. or Israeli government policy. Our work is focused on preparation, constructive engagement, and strengthening relationships that support Jewish identity and belonging in school communities.
Is JPAS adversarial toward schools?
No. Partnership over polarization is a core value: constructive collaboration builds trust, deepens understanding, and strengthens school communities. Our goal is not to win an argument. It is to help build a school community where every Jewish child belongs.
What is Constructive Engagement?
Constructive engagement is JPAS’s approach to creating lasting institutional change. It is the intentional practice of preparing thoughtfully, communicating with curiosity and respect, and strengthening relationships while addressing difficult issues. Constructive engagement helps people navigate complexity, build understanding, and work toward solutions that endure.
JPAS Membership
What does it cost to join JPAS?
Membership is free. In exchange for the guidance, resources, and community we provide, we ask members to share updates on issues, challenges, and progress at their school. That information helps us identify patterns, strengthen understanding, and support the broader community.
Who can become a Member?
Any Jewish parent, school board member, PA leader, faculty member, or Jewish parent group leader connected to a private K–12 school.
Why private schools?
Private schools are self-governing, each making its own decisions about culture, curriculum, and community life, and they educate many future civic, business, and communal leaders. Improving the experience of Jewish students there creates ripple effects well beyond a single school.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Yes. Your personal and identifying information is kept strictly confidential and is used only to support you. What members share contributes to our understanding only in aggregate: as patterns across schools, never as identifiable stories. No name, family, or school-identifying detail is shared without your permission.
Do you only work with Jewish parents?
JPAS’s mission is to advance Jewish identity and belonging in private K–12 schools by preparing Jewish parents to engage constructively with their schools. At the same time, the frameworks and resources we develop teach skills that are universal. Constructive engagement, intentional discipline, perspective-taking, thoughtful communication, and relationship-building strengthen every school community. Our work begins from a Jewish lens because that is our mission. The principles and frameworks we develop can be applied wherever people seek to build stronger relationships, navigate complexity, and create communities where every child experiences significance and belonging.
How can I support JPAS financially?
JPAS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You can give through the Donate button at the top of every page.