SDJA logo development

Definitions - To help us understand what people meant when they chose "education" and "Jewish identity" as the two most important values/characteristics (see the second question in the survey below), we started with accepted definitions of the terms.

What is at the core of Jewish Identity?

This is the question we have been asking and everyone has a different answer.

What do you think? Email your responses to Doug at: mrdoug@aznet.net

Concept: Judaic identity represented by the Star of David. Education shown by the reaching and growing branches of the tree. The thicks and thins represent movement, life, transition, Pluralism / Diversity and different levels of observance. Judaism growing out of a single point going in different directions as Judaism has adapted to the times.

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Concept: the 20th century Jewish community and continuity. The openings in the circle show an acceptance to thoughts outside the Jewish community. The 12 lines represent each tribe as well as the different directions and different levels of observance found in Jewry. Some lines intersecting, some independent.

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Concept: integrates traditional Judaic icons - a tree which symbolizes growth and flexibility; the tree of knowledge representing our commitment to education; and the tree of life, the metaphor for the Torah; the 12 tribes representing the importance of Jewish peoplehood with all its variations; the menorah as a symbol of our religious heritage; a "chai" which is an allusion to Torah, the tree of life, as well as the phrase Am Yisrael Chai -- the "people" of Israel lives! Together, the logo symbolizes the vibrancy of an evolving pluralistic school founded on the teachings and values of Judaism.

Concept: roots- knowledge and life - growing out of the Torah. Judaism based on one of it's most important root, the tree of life, that represents education and Judaic identity, both growing from the same point.

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Final Logo | Top

Concept: Our new logo represents the modern, all inclusive symbol of the Jewish people, the Star of David, embracing the traditional symbol of our school and Jewish study, the Torah.

1. How do you feel about the old SDJA logo?

The range was from strongly dislike to strongly like with indifferent in the middle. We merged strongly dislike with dislike, and strongly like with like.

dislike	indifferent	like
22	38	57

As a commentary, Nadine and I have discussed whether there is truly a need for a new logo. The survey certainly suggests that there are many people who like the old logo. Although, most agree that the logo type should go. Far, far, far away!

This may be heresy for designers to ponder, but good designers are first interested in serving the needs of the client. At this point we are discovering options, that's what designers do.

In the end, the logo was selected based on its merit. Does the logo synthesize the characteristics of the San Diego Jewish Academy and create a building block for a strong identity that carries on for years to come?

2. The SDJA is a unique institution in the Jewish community. When responding to this item, please think specifically of the Academy and not Judaism in general. The list below represents some of the values / characteristics that are considered important for our unique institution. Please place a check in the box for all that you consider relevant and then write a 1 or 2 in front of the two most important that you feel our logo should project.

Values/characteristics	Checked	Checked as 1 or 2
Education	96	60
Judaic Identity	84	51
Judaic Continuity	61	19
Excellence	56	9
Knowledge	55	7
Community	52	10
Family	46	5
Children	37	8
Pluralism	37	3
Connect to Israel	34	4
Roots	31	5
Tolerance	33	2
Spirit	29	2
Strength	26	2
Integration	23	0
Wisdom	23	0
Peace	15	1
Adaptability	11	0
Eternal Light	10	1
Transformation	6	1
Character Development	1	0

Education - the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. 2. the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills, as for a profession. 3. a degree, level, or kind of schooling: a university education. 4. the result produced by instruction, training, or study: to show one's education. 5 the science or art of teaching; pedagogics. Syn: instruction, schooling, learning, Education, Training imply a discipline and development by means of study and learning. Education is the development of abilities of the mind (learning to know); a liberal education. Training is practical education (learning to do) or practice, usually under supervision, in some art, trade, or profession; training in art, teacher training. 4. Learning knowledge, enlightenment. Education, culture are often used interchangeably to mean the results of schooling. Education, however, suggests chiefly the information acquired. . Culture is a mode of thought and feeling encouraged by education. It suggests an aspiration toward, and an appreciation of high intellectual and esthetic ideals. The level of culture in a country depends upon the education of its people. (Websters, 1996, p. 621)

Jew - one of a scattered group of people that traces its descent from the Biblical Hebrews or from postexilic adherents of Judaism; Israelite. 2. a person whose religion is Judaism. 3. a subject of the ancient kingdom of Judah. (Websters, 1996, p. 1028)

Jewish - of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Jews or Judaism (Websters, 1996, p. 1028)

Judaism - the monotheistic religion of the Jews, having its ethical, ceremonial, and legal foundation in the precepts of the Old Testament and in the teachings and commentaries of the rabbis as found chiefly in the Talmud. 2. belief in and conformity to this religion, its practices, and ceremonies. 3. this religion considered as forming the basis of the cultural and social identity of the Jews: He called assimilation a threat to American Judaism. 4. Jews collectively; Jewry. (Websters, 1996, p. 1035)

Identity the state or fact of remaining the same one or ones, as under varying aspects or conditions. 2. the condition of being oneself or itself, and not another: he doubted his own identity. 3. condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is: a case of mistaken identity. 4. the state or fact of being the same one as described. 5. the sense of self, providing sameness and continuity in personality over time and sometimes disturbed in mental illness as in schizophrenia. 6. exact likeness in nature or qualities an identity of interest. 7. an instance or point of sameness or likeness; to mistake resemblances for identities. (Websters, 1996, p. 950) | Top