Daniel Bennett will be starting his position as BJDS’ Interim Head of School on May 1, 2010.  We extend a big welcome to him, and appreciate his desire to  become a part of the BJDS community.  In Daniel’s own words:

A vibrant Jewish day school is part of the diverse fabric of a healthy Jewish community, and I am glad to have played a role advising day school staff and volunteers over the past decade.  Now I am humbled and honored to help BJDS in the coming year achieve its goals of excellence in secular education, joy & creativity in Jewish identity, and financial sustainability.”

Please see Daniel’s biography below:

Daniel W. Bennett has served the Colorado community since 1979 teaching, leading, convening, coaching and guiding institutions, individuals and families toward their highest goals. He currently combines his business experience with a deep respect for Jewish creativity and values to provide Sea Change Consulting based in Colorado.

Daniel came to Colorado after his graduate studies in Jewish, modern and ancient history & Semitic languages at The Ohio State University to meet the challenge of creating a Jewish Studies department at Herzl Day School, a K-6 community day school.  During his nine years at Herzl – as the school grew from 60 to 220 children – he worked with families, hired and trained teachers, wrote curricula, articles and textbooks, and helped found RaVSaK, the Community Day School Network.

In June 2009 he completed a 12-year position as President & CEO of the Colorado Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) in Denver.  Previously Daniel was Director of Education at Temple Sinai and then at Congregation Emanuel in Denver, where he spearheaded the development of youth, family, and adult education programs, and continued to travel, write, and speak about his vision and passion – Jewish education.

Daniel loves to teach families, children and adults, and to coach others to achieve their personal missions: to find and nurture their path and passion.  He cherishes his opportunities to speak and present locally and nationally.  He believes that it is essential for parents, teachers and other adults to come to cherish and respect and own our texts and Judaism’s mission of making life sacred through learning – so that they may help children to do the same.  With the anchors and compasses our rich tradition offers, each individual has a better chance of being a partner in repairing the world.

Married to soul-mate, psychotherapist and early childhood education director Devorah Uriel, Daniel has the blessing of parenting two nearly grown sons.  He draws strength from his family and from his fellow travelers, as well as from the majestic spirituality of Colorado’s mountains.  Raised on the best of Jewish values, activism and study – as well as on Bonanza and Star Trek – Daniel plays guitar and sings both Jewish and secular folk music, loves horses and dogs, is an avid stamp collector, tropical fish enthusiast, and baseball fan.  He considers himself a Jewish spiritual seeker.