Meet Julie Tonti

Please tell us about your work at Jewish Educational Services

Hi- my name is Julie Tonti and I work at Jewish Educational Services (JES) as the Director of Community Partnerships in Education.  This means that I get to work with different groups in the Jewish community to help further education and resources for students, teachers, and directors.  I specifically work with the Congregational Schools on making sure their schools are the best they can be.  I also work on Mental Health initiatives in the schools with the School Counselors.

Since you work with all of the local Congregational schools, what are the core issues or trends you think they’ll be focusing on this year?

I am so glad that you have asked this question –as it is a really hard year.  We are experiencing a fog since Oct. 7^th and dealing with so much tragedy as well as uncertainty about the direction of Jewish life in our own country.  Jewish students are looking to their synagogues, schools, and teachers for pride, hope, and joy.  This year the Directors are working on how they can lead the way forward to bring the love and joy into being Jewish.  Rabbi Tyler Dratch from Beth Am beautiful expressed, “many families are eagerly coming closer to Jewish community in this moment, while some are moving more hesitantly. I see our role as acting like the traffic light in the middle of the community trying to support each person in getting their needs met, and gently guiding them to where they most need to be.”

This fall I am organizing a Conference for the Congregational school teachers around the theme of Jewish Joy.  Rabbi Johnathan Sacks says, “Joy is at the heart of Judaism.”  I love this quote as there is so much joy in Jewish tradition, holidays, prayers, and community.  This past year has been filled with so much sadness and negativity it is good to remember why we love being Jewish, why we want to instill Jewish values and pride in our children, and how we can lead from a place of joy rather than a place of fear.

What advice would you offer to families who haven’t enrolled in supplementary schools yet but might be interested in it?

I would say that it is really important for children to feel like they are part of something greater than themselves.  Judaism is an ancient religion that offers so many different ways for families to connect. Perhaps a family is more interested in the cultural aspect of Judaism, maybe it is the traditions, the community, or learning Hebrew, every synagogue can offer so much to each child that enters.  I think by giving your child a Jewish education you are not only giving them the learning, but also giving them a community, friendships, and the competency to be a part of the Jewish community later in life. I think just reaching out to the synagogue Director is the first step.  Reach out to check if there are any openings and ask if you child would be a good fit for the program.  What is amazing about sending children to a Congregational School is that there are so many options in terms of curriculum, in terms of how many hours/days they meet, there is a lot more catering to each family than it was back when I was growing up.  I am also happy to speak with anyone who is wondering about sending their children to a school and not sure where to start.  They can email me at: jtonti@jesbaltimore.org and I would love to hear what they are looking for.

Finally, tell us a little about your work with Mental Health and Wellness.

Another project I am working on with JCS (Jewish Communal Services) is helping get more social and emotional support for students and staff working in Jewish Schools.  Since 2010 and especially since COVID there has been an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” according to US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.  Jewish schools and the community in general can be a great place to help solve some of these issues for our young people.  Through continuing education for school counselors, clinical consultations, parent support, classes on financial wellness, as well as gearing up for a Mental Wellness Conference this March 2025 JES and JCS are working hard to be more readily available for helping families and students.