Until 2004, very little was known about the field of community Hebrew high schools. Grassroots efforts had led to a few gatherings, but each school operated in isolation, and there were very few shared resources or communication between principals. In the fall of 2004, the Institute for Informal Jewish Education (IJE) at Brandeis University received a grant from the Legacy Heritage Fund Limited, and community Hebrew high schools began to receive the attention they deserved. With this grant, the IJE was able to bring about significant improvement in this hitherto neglected field of Jewish education for youth.
By the summer of 2006, the field of CHHS was ready to move to the next stage of its development. A committee of directors worked with IJE staff to plan a permanent network, modeled on other existing school networks. The committee established a governance structure, defined the responsibilities of the network's director and articulated the network's goals. This professional network was managed by the wonderful Devorah Silverman at JESNA and provided schools with essential means of learning, communication and growth on an ongoing basis.
With the dissolve of JESNA, NAACCHHS has been run as an independent group, directed by Shari Weinberger, former director of NAACCHHS schools in both Stamford, CT and Providence, RI. No longer receiving funding or support, NAACCHHS continues to be a group of Jewish teen educators who are leading the way in their field.
