PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY At the Schnitzer Family Campus
Think for yourself. Work for the world.
Exclusive updates for our donors and supporters from PJA September 2012 ~ Elul/Tishrei 5772-3
Happy holidays from our Board, Staff and Students Even those of us whose school days are long past remember the anticipation of the first week of school! Excitement is in the air and laughter rings through the halls as our PJA students return after summer vacation. One of the middot or values that guide our school is hoda’ah – gratitude. So it seems especially appropriate that we begin this new school year with a huge todah rabbah - thank you – to you, our donors and supporters. Along with a very generous allocation from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, your contributions make possible scholarships that enable many PJA students to attend school here, along with enrichment arts activities, field trips and technology enhancements. Last year, our community contributed $810,000 to support programs at PJA, including a $154,000 allocation from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. We are especially grateful to Jay and Diane Zidell and Steve “Rosy” Rosenberg and Ellen Lippman for their extraordinary support of our school. We are so grateful for all that your support has made possible. May the New Year bring you and your family sweetness, health and happiness.
Edy Dorsen Board President
Lisa Horowitz Executive Director
Merrill Hendin Principal
PJA welcomes more than 500 children with 300 from preschool through 8th grade! PJA opened its doors on September 5, welcoming back nearly 300 students from preschool through 8th grade as we began our school’s 51st year. We welcomed new students at every grade, along with several new teachers. We are also delighted to have more than 75 infants in our Infant Toddler Development Program, and to serve more than 150 children in afterschool programs: Kidscorner at our campus, Kidspace at Forest Park Elementary, Kidsplace at Skyline Elementary School and Kidzone at Glencoe Elementary School. All of our students, their families and our staff are “PJA Proud!”