Jewish Youth Encounter Program

Specialties

The Jewish Youth Encounter Program, JYEP, is an independent Outreach Hebrew School serving the Bergen County Jewish community. It welcomes and respects diversity among Jews and embraces children on all levels.

Mission

The mission of the JYEP is to embrace our children and their families:

* Connect our youth through our Big Brother and Big Sister Mentoring Program.

* Educate your children on the meaning and purpose of Jewish life.

* Make Judaism come alive.

* Embrace the entire family, welcoming them at our many inclusive family programs.

* To Reach out to the greater Jewish community via Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) activities– social action.

* To instill in each of our students and their families the contentment in feeling and thinking like a Jew and being proud of that. Incorporating all that they’ve learned in our school and apply it to their lives.

History

Established in 1986.

The JYEP was started in 1986 by Carl and Sylvia Freyer and Anita Warburg at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, NJ. The first year the JYEP had eighteen students and ten Big brothers and sisters. The school has continued to grow to our present size of 85 students and 70 big brothers and big sisters.

The current director, Deborah Rapps, was the first teacher in the school. The following year she became the assistant director and three years later the director.

To accommodate the growth of the school, the need for staffing increased as well. At present we have a staff of 8 teachers, a school Rabbi, an assistant director and director.

— educate the child according to his own way — so when he grows old he will not stray from it (the Torah). Mishlei 22:6

Meet the Business Owner

Deborah R.

Business Owner

Debby Rapps is a highly experienced Jewish educator and administrator with a reputation for vision and warm leadership. Debby has been affiliated with the JYEP since its’ inception in 1986 and has served as its director for 15 years. Debby earned her BA in Open Education and Jewish Studies from Queens College, CUNY, and her MA in Educational Psychology from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She has complete her Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration from the Azrieli School of Education and Administration, Yeshiva University. Debby and her husband have four sons, two of whom live in Israel and two who live in Teaneck, NJ. Debby believes in offering a Jewish education in a warm and nurturing environment, in which each child is valued and where they leave wanting to further their Jewish education beyond their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Debby infuses the JYEP with a joy and passion for Judaism coupled with a commitment to Jewish education, spirituality and continuity.