The Lions’ Roar Vol. III • Issue III • Summer 2017 •
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From Rabbi Mitchel Malkus, Head of School The Arts Play an Essential Role in a CESJDS Education
Remembering Senesh Magill z’l
When Elliot Eisner, the late Stanford University Professor of Education and Art, wrote, “education without the arts would be an impoverished enterprise,” he was thinking about how the arts could be used to improve education generally by expanding the kinds of meaning people have in their lives. Today, we also recognize that creativity and problem reformulation are essential skills in the 21st Century – skills that are often taught and internalized better through the arts. CESJDS has a comprehensive and outstanding arts curriculum that distinguishes our school from other schools. Not only do we believe it is critical for students to explore ways to be creative thinkers, find their voice, and express themselves in meaningful ways, we have built a superlative arts program to do this.
The entire CESJDS community mourns the loss of Senesh Magill (grade 7) z’l. Senesh unexpectedly passed away on May 26, 2017, just a few weeks prior to her 13th birthday.
When you walk through the doors of CESJDS, you will enter a gallery of student artistic creativity. All students in the Lower School engage in the art studios to develop the knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to create, analyze, and respond to and through art. Lower School students are introduced to the principles of design by working with a variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, collage, weaving, and printmaking. Art education is frequently integrated into programs and lessons in classrooms. In addition to visual arts, Lower School students take both music and Jewish music, Israeli dance, and participate in performing arts. In 4th and 5th grade, students may join the orchestra and take small group lessons for string instruments during the school day.
We will remember Senesh’s radiant smile and her warmth of spirit.
The Upper School builds on the foundational arts experiences and offers a myriad of opportunities. Students may choose among a rich offering of electives in photography, graphic design, ceramics, and studio arts. Outside the formal arts program, students also have many other opportunities to explore the arts. Through the school club program and the daily Art Zman Kodesh, students have access to the studios and faculty to work on individual or group projects of their choosing.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her entire family. יהי זכרה ברוך, may her memory be a blessing.
In music, students encounter a variety of musical experiences as solo performers, as ensemble performers, as audience members, and as composers. Instrumental and vocal groups perform at many events throughout the year and are showcased in two annual concerts and at Arts Chai-Lights, an annual evening celebration of the arts. The Upper School theater program offers significant opportunities for students. The CESJDS theater season consists of a high school musical, a middle school musical, a middle school Shakespeare play, and a high school play. Finally, CESJDS has three creative writing journals, an annual Visual Arts Trip Day for all Upper School students, and teaches art history. Together, this robust arts education enriches students’ overall experience and provides them important creative skills they will use throughout their lives. The Lions’ Roar • Summer 2017 | 1
Graduate School of Education Principal’s Center Program. • Dr. Eliana Lipsky was appointed Middle School Principal. She will begin her tenure on July 17, 2017.
(Accomplishments) Students • Aliza Bellas’ (grade 4) work was recognized by the World Artists Experiences Writing Project. • Lincoln Aftergood (grade 7) won the Inaugural Metropolitan DC Jewish Day School Spelling Bee. • Joe Goldberg (grade 9) was featured in Alpine Modern and Airows magazines for nature photography. • Dora Mendelson (grade 9) and Maya Cohen-Shields (grade 10) participated in the Maryland Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. • Matthew Wieseltier (grade 9), Henry Goldberg (grade 10), Ezra Loeb, and Ezra Osofsky (both grade 11) received awards at the Model UN Conference. • Ilan Cohen, Jacob Mannes, Zoe Reichbach (all grade 10) won ‘Best Speaker’ awards at the Junior State of America Spring Convention. • Talia Shemony (grade 10) published an article in Times of Israel. • Amelia Davidson (grade 10) and Ayelette Halbfinger (grade 11) received recognition at Heschel Model United Nations Conference. • Becca Block and Talia Cohen (both grade 11) placed first in BBYO’s Inaugural Impact L’Atid Innovation Showcase. Daphne (grade 8) and Ilana Kaplan (grade 10) placed second. • Matthew Landy (grade 11) was named an All-Met Honorable Mention by the Washington Post for Baseball. • Hannah Wandersman (grade 11) and Abby Elson (grade 10) were elected to Seaboard Region USY Executive Board. • Aaron Liss (grade 11) was selected as a recipient of The Bronfman Fellowship and earned an Honorable Mention at the International Sustainable World (Engineering Energy Environment) Project. • Ben Shrock (grade 11) was accepted into Rep. Jamie Raskin’s Congressional Art Competition. • Shir Madness (A Capella group) earned
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multiple awards at Kolot HaYam, the Jewish Choral Festival in Long Branch, NJ. • Sally Rogal, Sasha Trainor, Anna Berger, Jane Trainor (all grade 8), and Devira Friedman (grade 10) were selected as PVAC All-Stars for Varsity Softball. • Matthew Landy, Zach Gordon, Danny Ingber, Isaac Silver (all grade 11), and Zach Gross (grade 9) were selected as PVAC All-Stars for Varsity Baseball. • The Boys Middle School Baseball Team won the PVAC Championship. • 77% of the students that took the National Spanish Exam earned a medal; 37% were gold.
Parents • CESJDS Parent Meredith Polsky received a 2017 Covenant Award.
Faculty • Thank you to Varda Cohen (44 years), Annette Lakein (39 years), and Sara Rothenstreich (22 years) for many years of service to CESJDS. We wish you well in your retirements! • We thank the following employees for their service and dedication to CESJDS. We wish you well in your new ventures next year and beyond! Jennifer Abercrombie, Yoram Bar-Noy, Brenda Briney, Margo Campbell, Joan Dodge, Avery Downing, Patrick Dudash, Marc Dworin, Ety Edery, Beth Frank, Jennifer Fraser, Emily Gersh, Rachel Gill, Andrew Goldman, Jael Goldstein, Joe Griminger, David Helfand, Maya Lavi, Netanel Levitt, Maureen Maher, Melissa Mandell, Tyrone McCard, Marc McNeal, Diane Nyadieu, Talya Perry, Shira Pilarski, Janet Pincus, Alyssa Reich, Roni Samson, Matan Schechter, Jenna Schilit, Catherine Smith, Sharon Tzioni, Rebecca Weisman, and Adi Zaken.
• Cassandra Ly (MS Science) was accepted to the 2017 Real World Science Summer Teacher Seminar. • Dr. Alexis Soffler (LS Science and STEM Coordinator) was named a Nationally Influential STEM Educator. • Laurie Ehrlich and Kim Dudash (Marketing & Communications) spoke at Finalsite University.
Alumni • Ethan Slater ‘10 joined the cast of the off-broadway return of Baghdaddy. • Stephanie Aseraph ‘12 was the graduate student speaker for the Towson University College of Liberal Arts. • Danny Weiss ‘12 received the Bertman Prize for Physics at Wesleyan University. • Noah Zweben ‘12 was named Columbia Engineering’s Class of 2017 Valedictorian. • Tamar Eisen ‘13 received a Fulbright-Nehru English Teaching Fellowship. • Bryan Knapp ‘17 was named All-Met First Team by the Washington Post for Basketball. • Miriam Minsk ‘17 won the Grand Prize in Jewish Scholastic Journalism. • Kira Epstein ‘00 and Billy Begal were married. • Erica R. Cohen ‘01 and Alan Kaplan welcomed a daughter, Sylvie Drew. • David Ochs ‘02 and Stefanie Gelles were engaged. • Allison Strudler Lee ‘03 and Jung H. Lee welcomed a son, Anderson Daehan. • Mike Goldfarb ‘05 and Noemi Schor were engaged. • Orly May ‘06 and Zev Karlin-Neumann were engaged. • Danny Charnoff ‘07 and Neera Chatterjee were engaged. • Lee Eliav ‘07 and Carly Eddleman were engaged.
• Lori Belke (Director of Human Resources) achieved her sHRBP certification.
• Gabriella Bender-Laskow ‘10 and Ehud Hakakian were engaged.
• Dr. Marc Lindner (HS Principal) was selected to participate in the Harvard
• Jonathan Galitzer ‘13 and Rebecca Mogil were engaged.
Lower School: The Extraordinary Impact of Seesaw By Beth Poston, Instructional Technology Specialist, and Hadas Heyman, 3rd Grade Judaic Studies and Mentor Teacher in Technology In the 10 years that I have been at CESJDS, there is no tool, digital or otherwise, that has transformed the way students, teachers, and parents communicate, reflect, and connect, like Seesaw. Seesaw is a journal that empowers students to share in real time what they’re learning with audio, video, illustrations, text, and photographs in endless combinations. It builds an organized, digital portfolio of each student’s learning. Seesaw gives students the opportunity to learn from their peers and to authentically reflect on that learning. Parents are able to see, hear, and comment on what their child is learning via a seamless and mobile-friendly interface. With 8,406 items, 3,901 comments, 10,270 likes, and 7,902 parent visits posted to date, it’s apparent that CESJDS students are very excited to publish their work to an authentic audience of parents, teachers, and peers! -- Beth Poston, Instructional Technology Specialist Seesaw has changed the face of our school. It has helped teachers and our students expose what we do every day in the classroom. It has improved assessment and differentiation. It has expanded our opportunities for instruction and skill building beyond the school day. I am very proud to be part of helping to integrate Seesaw in a meaningful way into CESJDS classrooms. I have been a teacher at CESJDS many more years than I have been a parent. As a teacher, Seesaw provides me with great opportunities to give each one of my students a voice in the classroom. My students use Seesaw to teach others about what they have learned in class and to share great things that take place in their lives every day. They take pictures of their best work, comment on other students’ presentations, and reflect on their own work. Seesaw makes it seamless for me to communicate with my students as well as their parents. Seesaw provides me as a parent a new opportunity to experience my son’s education, helping me see my son in situations invisible to me before. I have seen my child sing, debate in Hebrew and English, and write a story. As a result of the frequent updates I receive from Seesaw, I feel closer to my child and more connected to his teachers and classmates than in any previous school year. -- Hadas Heyman, Mentor Teacher in Technology and Parent to Elad (grade 4) From the moment we first saw Seesaw demonstrated at a conference last year, we knew this new portfolio and communication platform could transform learning and family engagement in our classrooms. While we have introduced a variety of popular tools over the years, this is the first time that parents have sought us out to remark on how amazing Seesaw is, how much they enjoy following their child’s learning, and how connected they now feel to both classrooms and teachers. Seesaw is potentially the most impactful investment we’ve made in technology.
8,406
items posted
3,901
comments
10,270 likes
7,902
parent visits
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Middle School Musings By Rabbi Janet Ozur Bass, Middle School Assistant Principal Finding Our Voices with the Council in Schools Program Any middle school professional will be sure intention, listening with intention, using a talking piece to help to let you know that the middle school focus attention, witnessing – a non-judgmental reflection on years are special indeed. Care for the what was said in the circle, and with framing dedications and social emotional growth over these years ritual endings. takes a nimble and deft touch as our Many of our faculty, when they were first introduced to the students ping pong between childhood elements of Council in Schools, were skeptical of how these and young adolescence. Research tools would work with our east coast sensibility. However, with indicates the importance of providing each session, we each experienced the most amazing activities and experiences for young adolescents that foster transformations in our students during the moments of the positive and productive interactions with peers. In looking for circle. The circle of Kolot creates a space an appropriate approach to help our students where every student and teacher is equal, The circle of Kolot navigate their relationships as they move creates a space where every where every student is able to share in a through these years, our middle school team turned to a program called Council in Schools. student and teacher is equal, non-coercive environment, where everyone can see and be seen, and is accountable to Council in Schools is a program through the where every student is able their peers. We’ve found that there are fewer Ojai Foundation that fosters healthy to share in a non-coercive reminders of appropriate behavior and much communication and compassion within environment, where more appreciation of one another and our student body. It is a tool and technique everyone can see and be diverse opinions. Our quiet students find designed to help students learn to listen to seen, and is accountable to their voices and our louder students learn to one another and become mindful of their own their peers. listen. patterns of communication. Over the course of this year, we have started Over the course of the 2016-2017 year, we have used the to use the tools of Council outside of our Kolot class. When techniques of Council in Schools to implement a program teachers have needed a reset in their classrooms, when we’ve called Kolot (Voices). During Kolot, which meets once a week, looked for ways to allow students to bring their grievances to teams of students and faculty have explored many different faculty, when we’ve had specific interpersonal communication topics to help create a safe and nurturing learning community. issues among the student body, we’ve turned to the lessons We’ve talked about topics ranging from respecting peers and learned in our Kolot classes to help our students mediate and adults, b’nai mitzvah behavior, healthy friendships, exploring reconcile. stereotypes, disabilities, and mindful speech. Through these discussions and activities, our students have had the opportunity to break down social barriers within our classes and take learning risks with one another. Some of the basic elements of Kolot include sitting in a circle, speaking with
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Moving into next year, we will be looking at ways to sustain and expand the use of these tools throughout our Middle School curriculum and extra-curricular spaces.
High School Highlights By Dorie Ravick, Assistant Director of College Guidance Navigating the College Admissions Process This spring, the Class of 2018 and their parents had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with some of the most mysterious people in their lives; college admissions representatives. During the third annual ‘Inside College Admissions’ program, the junior class interacted with college representatives from a variety of competitive institutions, via a series of discussions, including a mock admissions committee meeting in which the students and parents had to make admissions decisions for three different fictional candidates. Over the last few years, the College Guidance Department has seen the increasing desire to have in-depth conversations with our colleagues on the “other side of the desk.” Parents and students alike love the chance to sit down with admissions professionals and learn more about their processes. While Inside College Admissions isn’t a day for advocacy for the student or the college or university, relationships are still forged and students and parents learn a great deal about the workings of the college side.
built between myself and the counseling staff. Now, as a member of the CESJDS College Guidance team, we are given the opportunity to return the favor to current admissions professionals, introducing them to the inner workings of our school, providing the chance to speak with various administrators including Rabbi Malkus and Dr. Lindner, and imparting on them the unique and special qualities of a CESJDS education and our community. Parents, students, and representatives alike shared their appreciation of this special program. Even parents that have had numerous children go through the process previously rave about the new information that they receive. Some parents shared that it was even better than they expected, learning more about the college admissions process than they thought possible! The college admissions professionals also praise the event, sharing that it is their favorite travel day of the year, and the best way to kick off the admissions cycle for the next class. We hope to see you at an Inside College Admissions during your junior year!
Personally, Inside College Admissions is one of my favorite days of the year. As a former admissions professional at the George Washington University, this was my favorite program to attend at a school on Long Island every spring. I always learned so much about the inner workings of that school, and the students, and I appreciated the relationship that was
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Connecting with CESJDS Alumni Across the Country As another school year has come to a close, we reflect back on what a busy and successful year it was for our CESJDS alumni. In the fall, we honored Sara Cohen ’87, Marshall Einhorn ’94, and Jonathan Lerner ’03 at the Head of School Circle Celebration. The alumni spoke about how CESJDS has influenced their lives and helped mold them into the people they are today. In the fall, we also held the Hagshama Family Photo and Breakfast, the Thanksgiving Meet & Greet & Eat, and class reunions for the classes of 2001 and 2006. In December, we were fortunate to have Rabbi Malkus meet with our West Coast alumni at gatherings in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In February, we welcomed the Class of 2017 into our alumni community upon their graduation, and at the CESJDS Inaugural Alumni Joint Reunion, the classes of ’82, ’87, ’92, ‘97, ‘02, ’07, and ’12 joined together at CESJDS to see what new and exciting things are happening in our school, reconnect with old friends, and reminisce about their times as students at CESJDS. The event proved to be a success and plans for the next event for the classes of ‘83, ‘88, ‘93, ‘98, ‘03, ‘08, and ‘13 are already in motion. This spring, we’ve been just as busy with an Alumni Networking Happy Hour in DC, as well as the launch of our annual Ma’ayan Alumni Campaign. A special thanks to Jonathan Ahdoot ‘08, Josh Lipsky ‘04, and Micha Weinblatt ‘01 for serving on our Development Committee and helping to ensure a successful 2017 campaign. We also highlighted four alumni through our Alumni Spotlight series. They were: Rebecca Prigal ’79, Rachel Simmons ’92, Dan Schwartz ’93, and Avi Jacobson ’00. We commend Jon Polon ’92, Rebecca Maltzman ’01, and Alex Tuvin ‘05 who participated in our CESJDS Leadership Training program. A big welcome to Scott Goldfarb ‘07, Rachel Milner Gillers ‘94, Alex Tuvin ‘05, and Brooke Cohen (Student Representative) Class of 2018, as new members of the Alumni Advisory Board. The board works with the school administration to strengthen the relationship between our school and our alumni community.
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Why We Give: The Lavinbuk Family As new members of the CESJDS community–-our eldest child, Jacob, just finished Kindergarten—we give not because of the experiences we’ve already had with the school but because of those we want to make possible in the future.
And so we are happy to give. Even the best general and Jewish curriculum in the world, though, wouldn’t make CESJDS the best school for our kids. For that, we look to the people our kids will be with and learn from the most—their friends. Your children. Having our children be, with yours, part of community that shares a common set of core values—and makes them real, rather than just schooltime projects—is worth its weight in gold. And so we are happy to give.
We want our children to have an excellent education. That means we have high expectations for their school. We want first-rate teachers in small classes with all the resources they need to expose our kids to, well, everything. We know that costs money—more even than can be covered by tuition alone. And so we are happy to give. Of course, there is no shortage of schools in our area that can provide an excellent education. But there is only one that can pair academic excellence with real exposure to Jewish history, tradition, and morality. We believe that education will be no less central to our children’s well being, their identity, and their ability to navigate through life. CESJDS is uniquely situated to help our children make sense of their world.
Why do we give? We give because of what we want CESJDS to be for Jacob, for his younger sister, Lucy (Class of 2031!!!), for all their many friends that already go to CESJDS, and for the many more we can’t wait for them to meet along the way. We hope you will too.
Jennifer and Ariel Lavinbuk
Consider a Planned Gift to CESJDS By Sharon Metro Roll, Director of Development As the Director of Development for the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, I talk with many people about our mission and the need for financial support. I focus on our present, as well as future funding needs and encourage our parents, grandparents, and members of our alumni community to include CESJDS in their estate plans.
It is my fervent desire that you will also make a financial investment in the future —as well as the present—of CESJDS. When you inform us of your plans, you will be enrolled in The BONIM Society, which was created to recognize those who have made a gift to CESJDS in a will, trust, life insurance policy, retirement plan, endowment fund, or other planned gift.
If you have already included CESJDS in your plans, please let me know. When you are ready to discuss some ideas in more detail, it would be my pleasure to do that with you.
In my efforts to help potential donors make a decision, I believe it is important to lead by example. I want to share with you that I have included a gift to CESJDS in my estate plan. CESJDS will receive a percentage of my estate, after I have provided for my children.
Please ask your attorney or other professional advisor to specify:
I consider it an honor to serve you and the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. Thank you for the time, energy, and support you generously give to our school and community. I appreciate you giving this invitation your thoughtful consideration.
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School 1901 East Jefferson Street Rockville, MD 20852 Tax ID# 53-0257218.
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Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School 1901 East Jefferson Street Rockville, Maryland 20852
August 23: New Family Welcome Dinner (Upper School) August 27: Back to School Carnival (Lower School) August 28: 6th Grade and Upper School New Student Orientation August 28: Lower School Meet & Greet August 29: First Day of School for All Students August 31: Middle School Back to School Night September 4: Labor Day (School Closed) September 5: JK-Grade 2 Back to School Night September 7: High School Back to School Night September 12: Grades 3-5 Back to School Night
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Table of Contents Letter from Rabbi Mitchel Malkus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Kol HaKavod (Accomplishments) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Lower School: The Extraordinary Impact of Seesaw. . . . . . . . 3 Middle School: Finding Our Voices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 High School: Navigating the College Admissions Process. . 5 Connecting with CESJDS Alumni Across the Country . . . . 6 Why We Give: The Lavinbuk Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Consider a Planned Gift to CESJDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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