OUR
MISSiON

To empower Jewish youth with the tools to live healthy, safe, and purposeful lives.

OUR MISSION

Our Path SEL - Social Emotional Learning
To empower Jewish youth with the tools to live healthy, safe, and purposeful lives.

Elevating Education with
Social and Emotional Learning

At Our Path, we’re more than just a curriculum; we’re a community dedicated to nurturing the social and emotional growth of our children. With the wisdom of tradition, and the insight of contemporary learning strategies, we’re here to support educators, parents, and students in creating a brighter, more resilient future. We address enduring challenges like relationship building and stress management, equipping children with the skills they need to thrive.

From Insight to Impact

Our approach transcends traditional boundaries, incorporating the proven methodologies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to foster self-esteem, positive social skills, and healthy decision-making. Created with Jewish students in mind, our programs are a testament to the power of community and faith in shaping the future.

What We Offer

Teacher Training

2–3 Hour Initial Teacher Training

Supervision

One-On-One or Group Supervisions

Seminars

Professional Developments and Seminars on SEL

Networking

Inter-school Networking Opportunities

Weekly Newsletters

Weekly Newsletters with Engaging Discussions Related to SEL for Parents

Free Resources

Parental supplemental booklets have been produced and shared with the public in the aftermath of crises in the Jewish community

Our Leadership Team

Mrs. Shira Berkowitz, LCSW

Founding Director

Shira Berkowitz, LCSW, is the Program Director of Darcheinu and Our Path SEL since its inception. Drawing on her extensive background in prevention skills, Shira oversees the Darcheinu and Our Path SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) curricula for Jewish schools nationwide, training and supervising teachers and providing children with crucial skills that are essential in today’s often challenging world. Shira is also a trauma-trained therapist at the Illinois Healing Center for Trauma and Addiction, working with female adolescents and adults. She has worked for over 20 years in clinical, school, and camp settings, using her skills and passion to help her community in Chicago and the broader Jewish community. Shira sees it as her personal mission to bring SEL to every Jewish school around the world.

Our Path SEL - Social Emotional Learning

Rabbi Avi Landa, LCPC

Director of Education

Rabbi Avi Landa is currently the Mashgiach of TA Middle School, and the Counselor of TA High School. He obtained Smichas Rav Umanhig from Ner Yisroel after learning there for more than 12 years. Rabbi Landa has been working with bochurim at Ner since 2012. After acquiring his Masters in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, he went on to obtain his Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential, and is currently providing in-person and remote private practice counseling services. In 2019, Rabbi Landa joined the Darcheinu and Our Path SEL team helping to coordinate the program, train presenters, and develop curriculum.

Rabbi Yisroel Grossberg, Ms. Ed

Rabbinic Educational Director

Originally from Staten Island, Rabbi Yisroel Grossberg learned at the Mirrer Yeshiva in Brooklyn as well as Bais Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood. He holds a Masters degree in Special Education and is licensed by the New York City Department of Education. He previously served as the principal at Bnot Chaya Academy where he worked with high school aged girls who are struggling. He is currently the director of “Al HaDerech” an organization that helps support families and teens who are facing emotional struggles. Additionally, Rabbi Grossberg is the menahel of Ateres Naava and Bnos Binah seminaries in Brooklyn. Rabbi Grossberg brings his decades long career in chinuch and his understanding of the struggling student to Darcheinu where he serves as Program Consultant and Curriculum Editor.

Get Access to Our Comprehensive SEL Curricula and Our Teacher's Corner

At Our Path SEL, we provide educators with the tools and resources needed to effectively implement our SEL curriculum. Our program is designed to support and enhance the educational experience, fostering social and emotional growth in every student.

Our Children
Our Challenge
Our Path

Testimonials

On a regular basis, teachers from all over write in to tell us what they love about Our Path.

“I started the unit on Creating a Positive Body Image this week for 7th grade girls. I used the Our Path unit as a base and created my own lesson around it based on what I thought my students would respond well to. What happened after that has not happened very frequently in my years teaching middle school. They listened to and responded to each other. The girls were able to conduct themselves appropriately and respectfully while having a discussion about beauty (from within as well as external). This discussion led them to move into the next activity (defining body image) more smoothly and with more interest and enthusiasm. More than any other SEL program we have used in the past, the Our Path/Darcheinu lessons, combined with the “live” support of Avi and Shira, are proving to be an excellent resource. Thank you!"
Mrs. Stephanie Samuels
Teacher
Maimonides, Boston MA
“Our Path SEL is a wonderful program that addresses the social-emotional needs of students in Jewish day schools in a way that is culturally relevant and responsive. It is a privilege to work with their team and the curriculum lends itself to rich discussions and workshops, with topics so critical in our return to school this year. Looking forward to continued collaboration.”
Carly Namdar, M.S.Ed CSP
Director of Middle School Guidance
HALB, NY
"The Our Path SEL curriculum is the greatest prevention tool any school could wish for and use comfortably because the research done covers all aspects of youngsters´ lives - physically, emotionally, socially and other things that he or she will go through during their school years. Solid values run through all the content but do not in any manner interfere with anyone's personal life or beliefs. The info is updated regularly. Today we work in 3 Jewish schools and meet with over 800 students. Each school is a little different. We wish every school, every parent and every child could have this opportunity in their school."
Mrs. Yvonne Attie
COMSANA Organization
Panama City, Panama
"The Our Path SEL curriculum is truly amazing! Everything you want to teach your students is in there. All you need to do is make it your own!"
Ariella Gettenberg, Psy.D.
School Psychologist
Yeshiva University High School for Girls, NY