Michael Rosenak's writing, teaching, and curricula have influenced Jewish education in the Modern Orthodox community and beyond. Rosenak has persistently searched for a language and approach that would make it possible for Jews of different ideologies to recognize that they are one community.

In our project, he asked the other scholars to consider these questions: How do conceptions of Jewish education prepare learners to respect and cooperate with Jews whose education differs from theirs? What are the characteristics that any vision of Jewish education must seek to cultivate in students that will enable them to live with Jews who have different ideological commitments? Can there be a vision for Jewish education that is acceptable to various groups within the community? Are there elements common to all conceptions of Jewish education? How could educators, community leaders, and rabbis of different denominations be guided by these common elements in such areas as curriculum and pedagogy?

For some of the educators, these questions were profoundly troubling, highlighting their fear that the commitment of all Jews to the value of Jewish peoplehood was dwindling. For others, the opportunity to explore pluralism in Jewish life was inspiring. Often the discourse among Jewish groups becomes politicized or devolves into a “conversation among the deaf.” Rosenak's contribution offered a fresh perspective. In response, many participants were more willing to try harder to accommodate one another than they would have thought.

Some educators focused on the prospect of a shared “Jewish civics” curriculum for all Jewish schools.