Mission Statement A COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY 2313 Pennsylvania Street Allentown, PA 18104 610-437-0721 www.jdslv.org
The Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley is a community school for primary kindergarten to grade eight that is dedicated to a holistic approach to education. We are devoted to the development of bright, confident students with a strong American and Jewish identity who are well prepared to meet the world. The school combines a well-rounded general studies curriculum, a richly fortified Jewish education and a deep commitment to the land and people of Israel. We at the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley understand that learning is a life-long journey embarked upon in partnership with family, school and community; therefore, everyone with whom a student interacts serves as a guide to help negotiate the path to success.
The Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
We are firmly committed to providing an outstanding education weaving Jewish values into everyday life to create a tapestry that wraps our children with the joy of learning and guides them throughout their life.
Amy Golding
OFFICERS President: Eric Fels VP of Education: Jessica Cooperman VP of Finance: Arthur Hochhauser VP of Development: Carah Tenzer Recording Secretary: Moshe Markowitz
BOARD Pam Abrams Marc Berson Kira Bub Zac Cohen Eric Fleisch Deirdre Kamber-Todd Josh Kroo
Rabbi Seth Phillips
Eva Levitt
Dina Relles
Aviva Marlin
Judith Rodwin
Megan Pildis
Michael Schlossberg
2019-2020 LEADERSHIP
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Past Presidents Cindee Belman Helene Benzel David Byala Scott Brenner Karen Cooper Eileen Fischmann Carl Isaacs Pam Lott Elaine Papir
Robin Rosenau Donald Senderowitz Milton Sheftel, Board Mentor Marshall Silverstein Barbara Sussman ​Tama Tamarkin Michael Ufberg Jay Warshawsky Martin Zales
Past Honorees
2018 Eva and Larry Levitt
1995
Eileen and Roberto Fischmann
2017 Lisa and Moshe Markowitz
1994
The Future -- Our Children
2016 The Tamarkin Family
1993
40 Years of Alumni
2015 The Notis Family
1992
Helene Benzel and Elaine Papir
2014 Lehigh Valley Jewish Clergy
1991
Scholarship Fund
2013 JDS 60th Anniversary Gala
1990
Scholarship Fund
2012 Sandra and Harold Goldfarb
1989
Eileen and Mickey Ufberg
2011
1988
35th Anniversary
2010 Sylvia and Sam Bub
1987
Scholarship Fund
2009 Mark Goldstein
1986
Daniel Pomerantz z”l
2008 Suzanne Lapiduss
1985
Morris Gorfinkel z”l
2007 Sandra Roberts and the Paperclips
1984
Sybil Baiman
2006 Holocaust Program
1983
Nathan Braunstein
2005 Lisa Scheller
1982
Edward Donley
2004 Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald
1981
Scholarship Fund
2003 Eva and Larry Levitt
1980
Sheila Greenberg z”l
1979
Rabbi William Greenburg z”l
1978
25th Anniversary
1977
Light the Flame for Our Children’s Education
2002 Charlie Dent and the Jewish War
1976
Light the Flame for Our Children’s Education
2001 Steven Bergstein
1975
Milton Sheftel, Dedication to Marilyn Jaffe
1999 Rance Block
1974
Scholarship Fund
1998 Mark Scoblionko
1973
Robert Senderowitz z”l
Karen and Peter Cooper
Morris Gorfinkel z”l, Ronnie and Milton Sheftel, Roz z”l and Alvin Mishkin, Anna and Fabian Fraenkel z”l, Myra and Mort Levy z”l, Nina and Marshall Silverstein Veterans
2000 Barnet Fraenkel
1997 Donald Senderowitz 1996 Rabbis & Cantors of the Lehigh Valley
1954 - 1972 Scholarship Fund
Event Committee Head of School Amy Golding Event Chair Suzanne Lapiduss VP of Development Carah Tenzer Kira Bub Danielle Bynum Jessica Cooperman Megan Pildis Naomi Schachter Marcy Staiman Tama Tamarkin Valeska Zighelboim
The JDS is thrilled to present two awards at this year’s Annual Celebration as we honor our 66 years: The Pillar of the Community Award to Mrs. Jeanette Eichenwald, and the Educator of the Year Award to Mr. Brian Goldman.
Mrs. Jeanette Eichenwald has given everyone in the Lehigh Valley the generous gifts of her seemingly endless time, prodigious talents, boundless energy, and civic spirit. She offers us an admirable model for how to live as a deeply engaged citizen, a forward thinking educator, a dedicated member of our Jewish community, and a beloved daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Jeanette and her husband, Eduardo, founded MicroAge/Data Sys Technologies, a premier high tech company in the Lehigh Valley and was one of the 500 most successful Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States. She was a Spanish teacher in the Salisbury School District for more than 30 years, and a member of the Allentown School Board, where she served for six years as Director and co-chair of the Education Committee. She was an outspoken, three-term representative to the Allentown City Council where she fought fearlessly for good government and the welfare of all residents of the City of Allentown. As President of Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, Jeanette partnered with the Muhlenberg College Institute of Jewish-Christian Understanding to create the Youth & Prejudice Conference, which educates local teachers and students about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice. Each year the IJCU presents the Jeanette Eichenwald Interfaith Award to a student committed to carrying Jeanette’s vision forward into the next generation. Today, in her “retirement,” she continues to inspire students by sharing her parent’s stories of survival during the Holocaust, as the esteemed teacher of Tuesday and Thursday Yachad classes at the JCC, and as a Spanish teacher at the Jewish Day School. Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald are the parents of three JDS alumni, including our current Head of School, Amy Golding, and are proud Saba and Safta to eight
- Suzanne Lapiduss, Annual Celebration Chair
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Credit is hers for the fruit of her labors. Optimism is her might; Surrenders to God, She does not despair Knows how to wrap you in her care - She is a Woman of Valor.
grandchildren. Jeanette’s service and leadership have been recognized through awards from the Allentown Rotary Club, Muhlenberg College, the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Jewish Federation, and the Girl Scouts of America. The Celebration Committee and the larger JDS family is inspired by her example and honored to announce that Jeanette Eichenwald is the first recipient of the Pillar of the Community Award.
Mr. Brian Goldman is the first-ever
recipient of the JDS Educator of the Year Award. As our Middle School English teacher, it is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Goldman is respected by all of his colleagues and adored by students and parents alike. He makes each of his students feel valued and supported, even as he pushes them to master concepts and skills that most schools do not tackle until high school. He has the gift of making learning fun without ever compromising on educational standards or expectations. The Celebration Committee saw our JDS students’ stellar PSAT scores, and our graduates’ exceptional performance in high school and college English classes as evidence of Mr. Goldman’s accomplishments, but ask any JDS student or alumnus about his annual Oldies Parts of Speech competition, and you will get a far better sense of the energy and excitement he brings to the school, and the passion for learning - and good grammar - that he instills in all of his students. While at the JDS, students laugh with him over his love of donuts, the fork he carries in his pocket just in case there is cake, and his corny jokes, but the love of reading and writing he gives them is a gift that they carry with them throughout their lives. We are lucky to have Brian Goldman as one of our outstanding JDS teachers and delighted to recognize him with this award. Join us in honoring Jeanette Eichenwald and Brian Goldman. Together, as strong educators, they lift up our community. We are grateful for all that they do to help us build and sustain our wonderful JDS family.
- Suzanne Lapiduss, Annual Celebration Chair
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Every child deserves a champion - an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.
From Our President There is an African proverb that states it takes a village to raise a child, and it is with that in mind I look forward with great anticipation to the JDS Annual Celebration each year. It is here that Faculty, Administration, Lay Leaders, and our most generous community supporters come together to support and celebrate the blessing we have been given by being able to provide a Jewish Education to our community’s children. As President of the JDS for the past four years, I have had the pleasure of watching with awe the growth of our students as they enter our school as children and graduate as outstanding young men and women. Listening to their graduation speeches where they expound upon their passion for learning, commitment to Judaism and love of Israel is not only rewarding, but more importantly for me reassuring that Jewish continuity is assured and that our students will be the future leaders of the Jewish community. Our Pillar of the Community honoree, Jeanette Eichenwald, has served as a role model our students can aspire to emulate. Over many years in countless roles, she has served as a leader, teacher, advisor, and advocate for both our school and our community. The JDS has been blessed with many gifted teachers, exemplified by our Educator of the Year, Brian Goldman. Mr. Goldman has taught his students to think critically about what they have read as well as inspiring self-expression through writing. As a gifted educator he has served as a role model and mentor for other teachers. The Jewish Day School continues its commitment to Education, Torah, and Zion. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the JDS through your service, donations, and support to make it possible for us to provide a valuable and enriching Jewish education for our students. Through you, Hashem has blessed us with the ability to raise our children in this beautiful community. May we continue to go from strength to strength. B’vracha,
Dr. Eric J. Fels President
From Our Head of School
At a recent JDS Bar Mitzvah celebration, a student spoke about the lessons he has learned from his teachers at the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley. He explained, “They have taught me much more than their assigned subjects. I have learned kindness, patience, and determination from their examples.” The Jewish Day School continues to encourage our students to reach greater heights, to be inspired to be their best selves, to be a modern-day mensch, and to support one another through struggles and triumphs. We accomplish this by creating a JDS family—a school where parents and teachers are partners in education. We accomplish this by creating strong bonds of friendship, with our older students serving as role models to our younger ones. We accomplish this by having teachers work with multiple grades, strengthening the bond between teachers and students for years to come. We accomplish this by opening our doors to all of you and by welcoming your skills, your time, and your dedication to our Jewish Day School. Tonight we celebrate our Pillar of the Community, Jeanette Eichenwald, and our Educator of the Year, Brian Goldman. Jeanette Eichenwald has taught us about Jewish values and has shared through many stories the legacy of her parents, thus educating countless numbers of children and adults about the Holocaust in tribute to her beloved parents and all Holocaust survivors. She is a passionate and exemplary teacher, a political activist, and a community organizer. She brings love and joy to others, sharing her warmth and graciousness. Brian Goldman is a gifted and inspired teacher who brings education to life—connecting to his students, empowering them to reach new standards through their writing, love of grammar, and ability to delve deeply into literature. He changes not only their relationship with pen and paper but also their interaction with the world. He is an extraordinary example of dedication to our JDS. Tonight we celebrate you, our extended family. Our Jewish Day School’s future depends on the strength of our community because of the dedication of JDS President Dr. Eric Fels, Director of Development Carah Tenzer, and Annual Event Chair Suzanne Lapiduss—and all of you—our JDS is thriving. We are so grateful for the collaborative relationships we are forming and happy to celebrate our community school. This is our JDS family. Let’s celebrate 66 years of accomplishments and our continuation to building a strong JDS for families for generations to come. B’vracha, Amy Golding, M.S. Ed. Head of School Kindergarten Class of 1983
FACULTY & STAFF
Amy Golding Head of School
Trisha Aguanno General Studies K & Grade 2
Feather Frazier Chef
Adi Gabay Hebrew Grades 2-8
Brian Goldman English Upper Elementary & Middle School
Sara Goodman Israeli Dance
Bob Lembach School Police Officer
Marie Martin Art
Hannah Andrews Hebrew & Judaics K and Grades 5-8
Krista Gerbasio General Studies Pre-K Plus & Grade 1
Gwen Hartnett
Math Upper Elementary & Middle School Math Enrichment Grades 2-3
Rich Meckes School Police Officer
Sean Boyle Librarian & Educational Tech Specialist
Pam Gibson Education Specialist
Laura Jones School Counselor
Lisa Moreef Teacher’s Aide Pre-K Plus & Grade 1
Shobha Muttur General Studies Pre-K
Lori Jo Rassler Teacher’s Aide Pre-K
Linda Piesner
Joanna Powers
Math Grade 2 Teaching Assistant K & Grade 2
Director of Hebrew & Judaics Hebrew & Judaics Pre-K
Debra Ross Hebrew & Judaics Grade 1
Dr. Joseph Ringel
Sara Schonbach Director of Admissions
Ron Sunshine Chef
Rabbi Alan Wiener Judaics Grades 5-6
Judaics Grades 2-4 Hebrew Grades 5-8
Tyler Terplan Custodian
Cassi Williams Science Pre-K – Grade 8
Alyssa Pure Hebrew & Judaics Pre-K Plus
Jaymi Sam
General Studies Grade 3 Social Studies MS
Adrienne Weaver Executive Office Manager
Scherlene Yearicks Bookkeeper / Administrative Assistant
K PRE-
Jacqueline Montes-Quinde
K
Micah Billig
Max Danna
Iris Gordon
Caleb Padin
PRE-
PLUS
Ayelet Agassi
Norah Berger
Madison Billig
Lev Danna
Grant Donohue
Mussia Greenberg
Ellie Kaykov
Jayden Leopardi
Yael Marlin
Ezra Pildis
Josie Zolotsky
K
Ari Alterman
Azriel Avraham
Phil Boonswang
Ariana Bub
Elad Dotan
Batya Halperin
Ruby Nash
Orliana Newfeld
Dylan Oselkin
I
FIRST GRADE
Ari Johnson
Gabriel Marlin
Emmett Fleisch
Lyla Golding
Lillian Kroo
Daymond Leopardi
Maya Lyerly
Arianna Padin
Yair Perten
Sophia Pildis
Lev Ratmansky
Ellie Rosenblum
Gabriel Wiener
2 SECOND GRADE
Rebecca Kolpon
Zoe Lyerly
Elias Nash
Ezra Newfeld
Saige Reuther
Ayla Schlossberg
Bailey Sherman
3
THIRD GRADE
Elliot Fleisch
Samson Kroo
4 FOURTH GRADE
Eyal Perten
Dovid Andrews
Hannah Boonswang
Alexis Gabay - Ratner Jackson Golding
Auron Schlossberg
Lenore Donohue
Indus Green
Ari Zighelboim
Mason Billig
Gabriel Kaye
Lillian Reuther
Eytan Wiener
Matthew Padin
Sholom Andrews
5/6
Leah Boonswang
Aviva Markowitz
Emma Wiener
FIFTH & SIXTH GRADES
Shira Bach
Michaela Bub
Asa Hochhauser
Mollie Lachter
Jailynn Opp
Maayan Perten
Madeline Puza-Rutz
Jayden Wolert
Noah Zighelboim
7/8 SEVENTH & EIGHTH GRADES
Sorah Andrews
Noah Cohen
Talia Cohen
Mikaela Garber
Jazmine Rose-Jones
Isaac Dahan
With admiration for the gifted teachers being honored; Jeanette Eichenwald and Brian Goldman. You are role models for a thriving Jewish community ‌ a part of our strength and survival. You exemplify what it means to make a difference. Eric, Amy, Allyson, and Brenna Fels
! We love you, Mrs. Eichenwald!!! THE SUSSMAN KIDS Aviva, Adam, and Abby
JDS honoring Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald ad for Roberta & Jeff, Iris & Jonathan Epstein one quarter page 13 november, 2019
please call with any questions or comments jonathan epstein (610) 390-2909
Proud to Support the JDS Congratulations to
Jeanette Eichenwald and the positive energy you bring to our community!
To Brian Goldman and the wonderful teachers at the JDS – so appreciative for all that you do.
Pam Lott and Ron Ticho
Nathan, Hannah and Connie
A CULTURE OF CURIOSITY. A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE. Age 3 - Grade 12 | Schedule A Personal Tour www.moravianacademy.org | (610) 332-5200
Mazel tov to the honorees. With gratitude from Julie & Aron Hochhauser and Alitza, Avi, and Asa
Congratulations To all the honorees.
מזל טוב
Rabbi Yaacov & Devorah Halperin
Mazel Tov to Brian Goldman, Jeanette Eichenwald and the Jewish Day School—brilliantly educating our children! From your friends at
Congregation Keneseth Israel
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WITH GRATITUDE FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR SCHOOL Alan & Sandra Abeshaus The Albert-Stein Family Bill Bergstein Lloyd & Carol Berrin Jeffrey & Jill Blinder Marilyn Braunstein David & Sara Jane Bub Lawrence Center Marilyn Claire Eva and Albert Derby Lee Finkel Peter Fisher & Kathy Zimmerman Alan & Judith Fleisch Phyllis Fleisch Henry & Monica Friess Karl & Sara Glassman Judi Golding-Baker Lance & Ellen Gordon Henry Grossbard Jonathan & Marjorie Hertz Les & Ricky Hochhauser Chaya & Shmuel Hoffman Deirdre Kamber
Chelsea Karp Peter & Elise Knepper Marc & Susan Kolpon Merry Landis Dr. & Mrs. Henry Lehrich Macabee & Jodi Eichler-Levine Jay & Evelyn Lipschutz Roland & Chanah Markowitz Douglas & Ruth Nathanson Roberta & Jay Needle Deborah Ovitz Henry & Phyllis Perkin Rabbi Ari & Rebecca Perten Edward & Beth Posner Aron & Adina Preis Pocket Protector Games Robert & Lota Post Kevin & Lauren Reuther Helene Scarcia Robert & Marcia Schachter Irwin & Ellen Schneider Ronald & Beverly Wasserman Frances Weinberg
Grants & Funds THE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND AND SUPPORTING FOUNDATION Caring members of the community have established endowment funds that support the Jewish Day School every year. Our sincere gratitude goes to those who foresaw that endowment funds help ensure the future viability of quality Jewish day school education in the Lehigh Valley.
Jewish Day School Endowment Fund Jewish Day School Supporting Foundation Bergstein Fund Finkelstein Fund Lisa Fraenkel Art Fund Gorfinkel Fund Grossinger Fund Robert Brent Lapiduss Memorial Scholarship Fund Papir Fund Sheftel Fund Louis and Renee Zales Fund Jewish Day School Scholarship Fund Jewish Day School Tree of Life Fund We also express appreciation to the donors and advisors of funds at the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s community endowment program, which provided grants to the Jewish Day School in 2019-20:
Peter Cooper Fund Kobrovsky Family Fund David M. Marvi Family Fund Randi and Donald Senderowitz Fund Sterman-Goldin Fund Fred and Barbara Sussman Fund Ufberg Family Fund Stephen A. and Beverly D. Volk Family Fund Congregation Agudas Achim Fund Blanka and Walter Knie Holocaust Education Fund Sadie Berman Jewish Ed Fund Hochhauser Family Fund B’nai B’rith Charities Foundation of Allentown
Thank you to our individual donors to SPE Thank you to our individual donors who participated in our Special Purpose Entity (SPE) opportunity as part of the Education Improvement Tax Credit Program. SPE allows individuals to direct their tax dollars towards student scholarships at the Jewish Day School.
Leonard Abrams Anonymous (5) David and Nicole Cooper Peter and Karen Cooper David Dahan & Naomi Schachter Dr. Eric and Amy Fels Lewis and Roberta Gaines Dr. Harold and Sandra Goldfarb Robert and Bonnie Hammel Dr. Michael and Fay Kun Marty and Judy Krasnov Josh and Danielle Kroo Markson Family Linda and Mike Miller Dr. Nicole and Dr. Jarrod Rosenthal In memory of Murray Schechter Dr. Mark and Lynne Shampain Dr. Frank and Tama Tamarkin Robby and Laurie Wax Vicki Wax Dr. Israel and Valeska Zighelboim As of November 2019
To find out how you may participate in the program and receive 90% tax credit, contact Eric Fels at ejf529@gmail.com.
Thank you to our Life and Legacy Donors Anonymous (6) Rony Ackerman Sheila Berg Lauren Berson Dr. Marc Berson Dr. Jessica Cooperman Eduardo Eichenwald Jeannette Eichenwald Amy Fels Dr. Eric Fels Eileen Fischmann Roberto Fischmann Veronica Fischmann Dr. Jay & Fran Fisher Dr. Eric Fleisch Barnet & Lisa Fraenkel Dr. Jeff Gevirtz Sandra Goldfarb Amy Golding Bobby & Bonnie Hammel Arthur Hochhauser Susan Hochhauser Danielle Kroo Ferne Kushner Dr. Hartley Lachter
Suzanne Lapiduss Eva Levitt Dr. Lawrence Levitt Dr. Marc Levitt Pam Lott Claudia Mattison Linda Miller Mike Miller Douglas Nathanson Ruth Nathanson Alice Notis Dr. Mark Notis Dr. Michael Notis Diana Orenstein Kevin and Lauren Reuther Robert Rockmaker Judith Rodwin Dr. Alex & Robin Rosenau Mark & Deena Scoblionko Ron Ticho Ufberg Family Community Fund Arthur & Barbara Weinrach Dr. Israel Zighelboim Valeska Zighelboim
Tax Credit Program The Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley thanks these donors for their participation in the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) during the past school year. Their support contributes directly to assisting with scholarships to families that demonstrate financial need.
American Bank BB&T Bank Avalon Insurance Company M&T Bank UHS of PA, Inc UPMC Health Plan Weis Markets, Inc The Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) has provided scholarships to JDS students over the past 18 school years from donations provided by these businesses. Corporations and businesses, including “pass through� entities and limited partnerships, are eligible for nearly 100% state tax credit for qualified contributions. More information is available at: www.JewishLehighValley.org/EITC.
Grants & Funds
The Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley gratefully acknowledges the following funds and foundations who responded favorably to requests for grants to support operations and/or special initiatives this year.
Charles and Figa Kline Foundation Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
If you know of any corporate or philanthropic grant opportunities that could benefit the school, please let us know. Amy Golding, Head of School 610.437.0721 | agolding@jdslv.org