About
Empowering Education through
Social and Emotional Learning
At Our Path, our commitment is to enrich the educational journey of Jewish children by equipping them with essential social and emotional skills. Our programs are designed to foster resilience, self-esteem, and positive decision-making, ensuring that every student can thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment.
From Firefighting To Fire Prevention
Over the past decade, our communities have been fighting the fires that threaten to destroy “children at risk”– children who are bullied, self-harming, suffering from eating disorders, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts, struggling with mental illness, and being abused.
The problem with fighting fires after they have erupted is that it is ineffective, expensive and results in significant damage to that which is most precious to us – our children.
The addition of single-focused curriculum models is a good first step – but it is not nearly enough. Something has to change. We need to put as much thought and effort into preventing fires as we do into containing and fighting them.
Our Tools
Once we decided to put significant effort into educating and preparing our children for the risks and warning signs so that they are armed to avoid the dangers that seem to lurk around every corner, we quickly realized that the answer would be found in SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Curricula. These curricula have been rigorously tested and statistically proven to reduce many issues that affect our children, such as emotional issues, bullying, healthy decision making, and so much more. Our Path’s evidenced based curriculum has the goal of increasing self-esteem and positive social skills.
Our Executive 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.
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 team helping to coordinate the program, train presenters, and develop curriculum.
Rabbi Yisroel Grossberg, Ms. Ed
Consultant and Curriculum Editor
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.
Media
The Case for SEL
About our path & darcheinu
Lesson on Bullying
English Version
