Nitzotzot & Annual Report Fall 2017

Nitzotzot ‫ ניצוצות‬ BOS TO N’S JE WISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL / SPA RKS / Fal l 2 017

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Middle School students walk together to the Charles River on the eve of Yom Kippur for Tashlich.

COV E R I MAGE:

CO NTE NTS

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From the Head of School

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Meet Glenda Speyer

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New Faces/Trustees Update

6 Congratulations to the Class of 2017 Graduates

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Mindfully Exploring Jewish Life

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Sparks from the School Year

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From the Director of Admissions

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Transfer Family Highlights

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Class Notes

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Alumni Who Code

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Service Learning Projects

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2017 Annual Report

From the Board President

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From the Director of Development/

Parent Campaign 2018

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Family in Focus

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Financial Highlights

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Report of Gifts

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Save These Dates

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@jcdsboston

F ROM THE HEA D OF SCHOOL

‫מ ראש בית ה ספ ר‬

BOARD O F TRU S TE E S

Officers Elizabeth Waksman, President Fiona Epstein, Clerk Nathan Hayman, Treasurer Members Yaniv Bejerano Sara Riedner Brown Claudia Davidoff Rachel Fish Nicole Gann Nancy Ganz Sophie Gildesgame Alex Gurevich Sari Korman Devra Lasden Sharon Levin Abe Menzin Adele Newman Howie Rodenstein Carey Schwartz Shiri Segev Adam Shyevitch Arnee R. Winshall, Founding Chair Head of School Dr. Susie Tanchel Founding Board Naomi Bar-Yam Yaneer Bar-Yam Rabbi Susan Harris Mark Kramer Vardit Ringvald Arnee R. Winshall Walter A. Winshall

This summer I spent a week visiting Israel, the West Bank, and Ramallah on a trip with Encounter, an organization that works to transform conflict through face-to-face understanding. While parts of the trip were familiar to me, the experience as a whole required me to step outside my comfort zone in order to grow and to learn, much as our children at JCDS do every day. An instance that stands out in my mind as particularly eye-opening was when a Palestinian high school teacher described teaching her students the poem “Jerusalem” by Yehuda Amichai. I can only imagine how the meaning of the poem might change in that setting from how our students might read it in their classrooms. My time in the Middle East presented a vitally important opportunity for me to listen, look, and learn about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a new perspective. In other words, engaging wholly with this immersive experience demanded that I apply the Habits of Heart and Mind we teach at JCDS, including curiosity, empathic listening, rigorous respect for evidence, ability to hold multiple perspectives, and self-reflection.

Although it may be many years before our students have experiences like mine, they continue to have meaningful, authentic opportunities to practice the skills and capacities they learn every day at JCDS. This year, for example, we are piloting Learning Adventures, week-long interdisciplinary units developed around real-world challenges. During an assigned week, each grade will pause all regular classes to deeply immerse in an applied learning experience. Projects will include creating

a school mural, designing a mikveh, developing new systems to make our school more environmentally sound, and building a museum of pluralism with interactive displays.

These Learning Adventures will build on the innovative work we have done thus far to integrate STEM learning with Jewish knowledge and experience, as well as with other foundational aspects of our educational philosophy, including Growth Mindset and Habits of Heart and Mind. Our students will work together in order to solve real problems they notice in the world around them. They will need to collaborate, persevere, and think creatively. They will be required to listen deeply to the opinions of others and reflect on their own perspectives. They will then have the opportunity to see their hard work come to fruition in the solutions they develop as a group.

Our fervent dream is that these experiences, and others like them, will enable our children to take their own trips many years from now to places far beyond our walls in which they can bring to bear all they have learned to make our world a better place.

B’shalom,

Dr. Susie Tanchel Head of School

Dr. Susie Tanchel greets new and returning students and families on the first day of school.

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M E E T G L E N DA SPE YE R , JC DS’ S N E W D IR EC TO R O F T E AC H I NG AN D LE AR N IN G

‫ה כירו את ג לנדה‬

South African native Glenda Speyer joined the JCDS community this past summer. Gavi Elkind, Director of Admissions, wanted to see if there was a hidden connection between JCDS and the southern hemisphere. Here’s what she discovered.

GE: What drew you to JCDS?

GS: Through my involvement in the world of Jewish education, I had come across JCDS and knew of the incredible work being done there.

I had met Susie many years before and I was aware of what a brilliant educator she is. As I started to read more about JCDS and intentional pluralism, it really spoke to me deeply on many levels. Having grown up in South Africa, a country where there was a lack of respect for all people, all groups, and all beliefs, it is essential to me that the work I do occurs in a place where there is constant attention to, and regard for, differences. I was drawn to JCDS’s thoughtful, warm, and accepting community.

After working with the DeLeT program and the Mandel Center at Brandeis, I knew that JCDS was a school that placed great value on teacher growth and development, which I value deeply as well.

GE: What inspired you to become an educator?

GS: I wanted to be an educator since I was a little girl! I always wanted to teach, and I had inspiring teacher role models. I was fortunate to grow up with parents who believed strongly in my abilities. They gave my sisters and me a sense of confidence and a belief that we could pursue and accomplish anything if we worked hard and kept trying. That became a model of what I believed I could do for students. I find academic subjects very interesting—especially the humanities—and I wanted to share my excitement and interest in those subjects with children. I also wanted children to know that they could learn, create, and be inspired by literature, history, and the world around them.

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GE: What is your favorite educational method?

GS: I’m most excited by inquiry and projectbased work that encourages questioning, debate, discussion, and examination. I want students to have big questions, concepts, and tools that they carry with them 40 years into the future, including an open exchange of ideas, transparency, and Growth Mindset (applicable to all of us!). I want students to be open to saying “I don’t know,” and searching for answers.

GE: How do you stay balanced?

GS: I spend a great deal of time with family and friends, and am fortunate to spend a lot of time with my sons and daughters-in-law. I love cooking and having people over to my home.

Additionally, I enjoy hiking, movies, reading, and gardening.

GE: Any special out-of-school hobbies?

GS: I have family in Israel, South Africa, and Holland, so I travel regularly around the world to see them as often as I can.

GE: What are your feelings about the school year?

GS: I truly believe that there is a right time for everything. I feel very fortunate and blessed that the opportunity to be at JCDS came at this time. I love being a learner—it’s invigorating and exciting to be challenged, and to be meeting new faculty members, families, and students. I am an educator to my core—it’s who I’ve been all my life. Education inspires me, draws me in, and speaks to me on every level. I love the visceral feeling when students connect with the knowledge and gain understanding— the “light bulb” moments. It’s inspiring, nourishing, and lifts the spirit.

Glenda’s door is always open, so come say hello—she is eager to meet you. You can reach her at glendas@ jcdsboston.org or 617-972-1733.

N E W FAC ES ‫פ נים ח ד שות‬ Meet the new faculty, staff, and trustees joining the JCDS community this year.

Maya Ludwig, 1st Grade Hebrew and Jewish Studies; Nikki Cohen, 1st Grade General Studies; Adva Schneider, Lower School Hebrew Support ROW 1 L E F T TO RI GHT:

Matt Rowe, 5th Grade Math, Science, Co-Advisor (Tamar), and 6th Grade Science; Josh Mocle, 6th Grade Humanities, and 7th and 8th Grade Social Sciences; Rita Dunn, 6th - 8th Grade Math ROW 2 L E F T TO RI GHT:

Rabbah Lior Nevo, 7th Grade Toshba and Jewish Life Team; Ziva R. Hassenfeld, 7th Grade Tanakh; Carissa McKinney, 7th and 8th Grade Science, and Middle School Advisor (Esh); Naomi Getto, Middle School Learning Specialist Consultant ROW 3 L E F T TO RI GHT:

T R U S T E E S UPDAT E ‫ח ב ר נאמ נים‬ Thank you to these Board members who have recently completed their terms.

We acknowledge their years of service and dedication to JCDS.

Rachel Fish is Associate Director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University.

Rachel and her husband, Dave Cutler, have two children at JCDS, Ezra ‘23 and Asher ‘25, as well as two younger ones, Nadav and Amital, the “unofficial mascots of JCDS.”

Abe Menzin is SVP of Development at Samuels & Associates, a Boston based real estate investment and development firm. When not working, Abe can be found spending time with his wife Marion and their four children: Lev ‘18, Ari ‘20, Isaac ‘22, and Eve ‘25.

Nancy Ganz J.D., runs a private consulting and coaching practice, which she founded after spending 20 years in the financial sector. She is a member of the Harvard Mediation Program and is active in the Jewish community.

She is preparing to publish a series of books under her imprint, Lumiere Publishing. Nancy has two adult children, Aaron and Sara.

Adam Shyevitch is the proud parent of Maya ‘15 and Livia ‘18. He has enjoyed a 25-year career in the non-profit sector, including several years working in the Jewish community. He is currently a Principal at Health Leads, a national healthcare organization.

Niki Lamberg (2009–2017) Alex Sagan (2008–2017) Tom Schwarz (2007–2017)

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CO N G R AT ULAT IO N S TO T HE CLA S S O F 201 7 GR ADUAT E S

‫בו ג ר י ת שע״ ז‬

ELIZABETH (ELLIE) ALTMAN-SAGAN

Gann Academy • Cambridge

“A family room sofa brings a family room together, because at the end of the day, it is a place to talk, hang out and relax together. Like the sofa, my JCDS community is always there for me; I know I can always rely on it.”

MICHAL APPELBAUM Newton North • Newton

“One of the most significant aspects of JCDS is its emphasis on pluralism. To show this, I mixed together a whole bunch of different colors. They are all beautiful by themselves, but together, they are even more amazing because pluralism is about embracing difference.”

INBAL ARMONY

Gann Academy • Arlington

When I joined Sabra advisory, I was impressed by how the older members treated me so nicely. What I didn’t realize then was that my advisor, Oren Kaunfer, was preparing us to act the same way when we would become 8th graders by teaching us to be compassionate and caring. I do my best every day to take the compassion and kindness he taught me and apply it to everyone.

OREN AVRAHAMI

Arlington High • Arlington

“Just like riding a bike, writing started out slowly for me, but in the past few years, I have greatly improved. All through JCDS, I have had great teachers. I feel that my writing has improved tremendously since arriving here.”

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Before Graduation, 8th graders present at the 8th Grade Reflections Ceremony. Each student’s personal and individual journey through JCDS is uniquely illustrated through written, musical, oral, or artistic expression. This annual milestone provides students a forum in which to showcase how JCDS has helped them to become the strong, young Jewish adults they are. Below are excerpts of each student’s presentation.

ELISHA (LISHI) BAKER Gann Academy • Brookline

“Ted Williams became a Hall of Fame baseball player not only because of his talent, but because he was a student of the game. Dr. T might even go so far as to say that he had a Growth Mindset. JCDS has helped me become a student of all aspects of life.”

DANIELLE BEJERANO Gann Academy • Newton

“My earliest memory at JCDS was Yaffah z”l holding my hand when I was scared. I chose to depict this in my stop motion video with a little girl who fears entering a new community. She is being gently pulled by a hand to a group of children playing. Kindness is just one value I gained because I learned to reach out to others and help them when they are in need, just like Yaffah did.”

TAMIR CHARYTAN

Gann Academy • Brookline

“I chose a guitar and strings to represent my JCDS life. When tuning a guitar, the strings need to be tight to ensure perfect sound. Throughout all of my years at JCDS, I have learned many values and skills, like teamwork, respect, and perseverance, which help me be my best as a student, athlete, and mensch. With these ‘strings,’ I can make my own music.”

YEDIDIAH CRAMER Gann Academy • Newton

“I have been collecting my doodles since Kindergarten.

When I started 8th grade, I didn’t think that I had changed much over the last nine years. Once I started this project, I looked at all the drawings and noticed how I had developed socially and academically.”

KOBE DEENER-AGUS Gann Academy • Newton

“On the ceiling are 1,000 origami cranes. Each differs in color, size, and neatness, just like our community. If you consider the flock collectively, it looks like a beautiful, yet simple, art piece, but each crane is unique and tells a different story.

If one were to examine the outside of JCDS, they would see a simple brick building, but if they walk inside, they would hear the music, love, and complexity of pluralism.”

DAVID ENGEL

Gann Academy • Newton

“As a Vulcan, Spock was logical, but as he was half-human, he occasionally acted emotionally, and in these times he was the most impactful.

I think about emotions similarly—sometimes you have to do what feels right instead of just what is logical. When we worked with students at the Jackson Mann School, my buddy always hugged me goodbye, showing me that emotions can be stronger than logical thinking.”

TRUDI FOSTER

Gann Academy • Newton

“I took a triptych, a sequence of pictures of a rose, and I compared my three years to the stages of a rose in bloom. In the first picture, the rose is still a bud; in the second, the rose has started to open up and blossom; and in the last, the rose has bloomed into a beautiful flower. Because of JCDS, I have blossomed into who I am today.”

YONATAN GERSHON Newton North • Newton

“There are three different types of climbing: sport, speed, and boulder, and each can be like classes in school. Practicing moves over and over is like homework, and talking over certain moves and climbs with teammates is like discussing new material with friends. All of these correlations help me learn better as a climber, and climb better as a student.”

YEHUDA GOLDMAN

Gann Academy • Chestnut Hill

“Seventh Grade flew by. Similar to the fourth quarter in football, I gained courage to reach a goal soon approaching—graduation and high school. In Super Bowl 51, the Patriots were losing and fans lost hope, but the Patriots overcame the deficit to win and made Super Bowl history. I too overcame challenges and am making my own history.”

ITAI GUTFREUND

Meitarim Raanana Pluralistic Jewish School • Raanana, Israel

“I learned to appreciate and accept differences between people around the world. This is one of the values that has been taught to me here. JCDS has given me a strong Jewish identity and helped me to learn about and respect other religions and cultures.”

SYLVIA KATZ

Gann Academy • Newton

“Like it says in the song ‘This Is Me,’ I had been the ‘kind of girl that hid my face / so afraid to tell the world what I’ve got to say,’ but by 5th grade, I became truly comfortable in my own skin. ‘This is real, this is me / I’m exactly where I am supposed to be,’ at JCDS with all of my friends by my side. I was ready to handle whatever middle school had to throw my way.”

ILANA KREBS

Gann Academy • Watertown

“I chose to display a picture of myself with nine words around me. Each word symbolizes a value I have been taught at JCDS. The words I have selected are: respect, curiosity, gratitude, effort, friendship, honesty, patience, sacrifice, and tolerance.”

MATAN KRUSKAL Newton South • Newton

“My JCDS experience is like making an omelette. Now everything, including the sauce, is on the omelette as I start to prepare for my independence in high school. But after all this time at school and cooking this omelette, I know I’ll miss them both when they are finished.”

SIMEON LICHTENSTEIN Cambridge Rindge and Latin School • Cambridge/Allston

In rap form: “Fourth Grade was good

/ I read as much as I could / I had a test of the map of the USA / I aced it almost ev-er-y single day / As the kings of the lower school / We knew we were cool / We went on some wings to the Cafe in Haifa.”

JACOB PEARL

Gann Academy • Melrose

“When I programmed this robot, I made sure that it would never miss the goal. It is always on target. I wish the same could be said for real life, but I sometimes miss my goals.

I learned over my years here that you can’t always expect things to go your way. When you miss, you need to try again.”

EMILY SHOULSON Gann Academy • Newton

“Instead of our teachers simply telling us the values we need to respect, they lead by example. All of our ideas are respected and knowing that we won’t be judged for thinking a certain way has allowed me and my ideas to mature and expand. I have a new respect for people’s opinions that I may not agree with, but thanks to the guidance from my teachers, I now know that it’s OK if my opinions change, too.”

NORA STARHILL

Gann Academy • Arlington

“The days went by some good some bad / You held me tight when I was sad / I’m happy now because you pulled me through / I know that if I’m feeling down / I’ll run to you, get off the ground / And when I hear the sound I think ‘Hallelujah’....”

ILANA TALAMO

Framingham High • Framingham

“I have learned numerous things here. One lesson is that time goes quickly and you cannot get it back, so appreciate the moment. No matter what’s to come, don’t ever rush to grow up.”

JONAH WEINSTOCK Gann Academy • Brookline

“Currently, I am learning to spin a basketball on my finger; it’s not easy and I still haven’t mastered it.

But JCDS taught me to keep trying and progressing and learning new things even if you fail. So maybe sometime soon I’ll be able to spin the ball. I may fail again, but I’ll keep trying.”

ARI WHITTUM

Gann Academy • Newton

“When I began to look back on my first few years of JCDS, it made me think of a 100-meter dash. At the beginning one starts off slowly, but as the race progresses, time just seems to fly by. Finishing 8th grade is like finishing the race. I get to slow down and look back on what I’ve accomplished. It is the end of one race but a new one is about to begin.”

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M I N D F UL LY E X PLO R IN G JEWI SH L I F E

‫ל חי ו ת חיי ם יהוד ים דרך‬ Mi ndf ul ness- ‫ע ד ש ת ה‬

I

n the Spring of 2016, JCDS was selected as one of three Jewish day schools in the country to participate in the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s (IJS) “Educating for a Jewish Spiritual Life” pilot program, a groundbreaking initiative that works to bring mindfulness to students, faculty, and community. This three-year grant provides training, support, and curriculum for integrating mindfulness into a Jewish elementary setting. The goal of this initiative is to teach the entire JCDS community how to implement mindfulness in their own classroom routines and teaching practices.

“Mindfulness practices naturally dovetail so well with JCDS’s Habits of Heart and Mind, as well as so many Jewish values and practices,” says Dr. Susie Tanchel.

Although the first year of the program focused primarily on teacher development, the four-member teacher team, including Oren Kaunfer, Madrich Ruchani (spiritual educator), Avi Minder, 3rd grade general studies teacher, Michelle Janoschek, 4th grade general studies teacher, and Ayelet Lipton, 4th grade Judaic studies teacher, implemented small “mindfulness opportunities” in various forms in 3rd through 8th grade. The teacher team personally engaged in an intensive program, including integrating a Jewish mindfulness meditation practice with t’fillah (prayer), text study, embodying practices such as yoga, and cultivating core middot (values).

In May of 2017, representatives from IJS met with faculty, staff, students, and families with the goal of understanding how the mindfulness program can enhance the JCDS learning experience. Rabbi Sam Feinsmith, director of

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the pilot program, explained to JCDS staff how “a few moments of paying attention to the present moment can make such a difference in ourselves and our interactions with others.”

Rabbi Feinsmith quoted Parker J. Palmer from The Courage to Teach: “As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subject… And knowing myself is as crucial to good teaching as knowing my students and my subject… When I do not know myself, I cannot know who my students are… and when I cannot see them clearly I cannot teach them well.”

Rabbi Feinsmith explained that the purpose of employing mindfulness in teaching is to help educators to acknowledge their inner thoughts and struggles so their minds can be free to teach and focus on students. Practicing mindfulness is not necessarily about becoming peaceful. Teachers “need to train themselves to live with their discomforts in a non-reactive way in order to be more present with students at all times,” said Feinsmith.

As JCDS enters the second year of the program, faculty and staff are looking forward to broadening students’ opportunities to engage in mindfulness, both in t’fillah and in the classroom. The JCDS mindfulness team supports teachers by bringing curriculum and activities to classrooms to introduce mindfulness activities in developmentally appropriate ways, yielding access to the Habits of Heart and Mind. JCDS staff, who began actively practicing mindfulness during staff training, have dedicated the first ten minutes of every team meeting as a time for communal practice.

ABOVE: The Mindfulness Teacher Team with IJS representatives.

From left to right: Avi Minder, Oren Kaunfer, Larry Schwartz, Rabbi Sam Feinsmith, Ayelet Lipton, Michelle Janoschek.

Middle schoolers have the option of participating in a weekly guided silent Mincha meditation, which has become popular, and students describe it as a valuable and refreshing form of t’fillah and spiritual practice. A monthly mindful Shacharit option was added last spring that allows students to focus deeper on fewer words of t’fillah, while still following the traditional structure of the morning service.

Mindfulness should be a shared language of the JCDS community, so that it can be used in all facets of the school, and Jewish life and practice. It can help foster the emergence of a new paradigm in Jewish day school education and leadership that promotes the intentional cultivation of the inner life in the service of wholeness, optimal human flourishing, and Jewish spiritual engagement.

“

Our team of teachers has continually been amazed by the experience and resources we have gained from the pilot, and we are looking forward to seeing how it can affect students and teachers as we work to integrate it more broadly in the school.

We have noticed changes in the way we interact with students, peers, and loved

“

“Now that the language and practice have been introduced in the school, it is easier to remind and reference the practice as a useful strategy to employ in challenging or wonderful moments,” says Oren Kaunfer.

ones, and it has helped us to appreciate the world around us.

–Oren Kaunfer

ABOVE: Oren Kaunfer, Madrich Ruchani, leads a mindful eating session with 4th grade students before Rosh Hashanah.

LEFT: 4th Graders practice mindfully eating apples by tasting the fruit, feeling its texture, and listening to its crunch.

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S PA R K S FROM T HE

SCHOOL YEAR

2016-2017

‫שנת ל ימוד ים תשע״ ז‬ 1

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1 First Day of School Students sing, dance, and reunite at the first day of school assembly.

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11 Generations Day A 3rd grade student shares his classroom with his grandmother during JCDS’s annual Generations Day.

2 New Field Opening The entire school joined together for the unveiling of the newly planted field.

Dr. T and students cut the ribbon!

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12 Yom Ha’atzmaut The entire school participates in Israeli dance as the final part of Israel’s Independence Day celebrations.

3 Purim Celebration 8th graders dress up in costume for the JCDS Purim celebration.

4 JCDS Blaze Basketball The JCDS Girls Basketball team became the 20162017 Day School Champions. Go Blaze!

5 Chanukah Celebration 1st graders perform their candle dance at the annual Chanukah Celebration that features art, song, and dance.

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6 MIT Folk Dance Festival JCDS dance troupes perform at MIT during the annual Israeli Folk Dance Festival.

7 Shavuot Celebration Students make crowns from leaves and flowers at the Shavuot Chagigah.

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8 Tashlich Ceremony Students walk arm in arm on their way to the Tashlich ceremony, where they symbolically cast their sins into the Charles River.

9 Lag Ba’Omer Games Students participate in friendly outdoor competitions to celebrate Lag Ba’Omer.

10 Pesach Celebration In preparation for Passover, students make their own matzot at the Matzah Baking Factory.

13 Sukkah Design Challenge 1st and 2nd grade students were challenged to design a sukkah with specific requirements.

Featured here is the winning sukkah and designer Orly ‘23 with Dr. Susie Tanchel.

14 Advisory Games Middle Schoolers battle to determine the champion advisory during the annual Advisory Games.

Featured here is this year’s champion, Tzufit.

15 Sunrise Shacharit A 4th grader davens alongside her father at Sunrise Shacharit in Arlington.

16 STEM Day Gan Nitzan students are introduced to different types of engineering and make model planes during STEM Day. 17 Graduation Dr. Susie Tanchel hands a diploma to Kobe DeenerAgus ‘17.

18 End of Year Celebration The 1st and 2nd grade dance troupe performs at the annual End of Year Celebration.

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F RO M T H E D IR EC TO R OF A DM I SSIO N S

‫מרא ש מ ד ור הר ש מה ו קב לה‬

During our community-wide assembly on the first day of school, I sat next to a nervous Gan Nitzan (Kindergarten) student. She clung tightly to my arm and wiped away tears as we sang Od yavoh shalom aleinu. When the assembly was over, older students were dismissed to advisory while I waited with the new Gan Nitzaner.

I felt a tug on my sleeve and I looked down to see her beaming up at me with shining eyes and a wide smile. “That big kid said hi to me,” she whispered in awe. And with that, she dropped my hand, wiped her tears, and stood up to join her class.

School life is filled with critical and beautiful transitions. Each year, we welcome new students, faculty, and staff members to our community. Our 5th graders relocate to the other side of the building as they begin Middle School. Our 8th graders take on exciting leadership opportunities as they prepare to graduate.

At every one of these important junctures, we strive to support our community members so that they feel deeply known, cared for, and valued. Before the school year starts, our teachers meet with each family individually to learn about their child’s learning style and needs. Mentors work with teachers throughout the year to orient them to life at JCDS and improve their practice. Current families are matched with transfer and new families so they feel welcomed and integrated into the community. In mixed-grade advisories, electives, and athletic teams, older students assume leadership roles as they help younger students find their way.

members so that they feel deeply known, cared for, and valued.

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We strive to support our community

These expressions of support also happen in organic, spontaneous ways all the time.

Parents and students sing together on Friday mornings and afternoons to welcome in Shabbat. A veteran educator stays late after school to help a new teacher with her lesson. Parents organize carpools and meals for families in need. A simple hello from an older student makes a new Kindergartner feel safe, seen, and welcome.

Powerful and intentional moments of connection like these are what make our warm, joyful community unique. Being a school for the whole family means that we honor the complexities that life brings both inside and outside our walls—and we work to create a vibrant culture in which each person feels recognized, supported, and engaged.

When I mentioned to that “big kid,” a 5th grader, how much his greeting meant to the nervous Gan Nitzan student on the first day of school, he gave me a high-five and shrugged.

“Of course I said hello,” he exclaimed. “I wanted her to feel at home.”

I invite your family to visit JCDS and see our community in action. I am hopeful that you, too, will find your home here with us.

L’shalom,

Gavi Elkind Director of Admissions

Know a family interested in learning more about JCDS? The Admissions Office is always open!

U P CO M I N G I N F O RM ATION SESSI O N S:

STEM Education Through a Jewish Lens

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Mindfulness and Spiritual Imagination at JCDS Tuesday, January 9, 2018

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Gavi at 617-972-1733 or gavie@ jcdsboston.org.

TRA NS F ER FA MI LY HIGHLIG HTS

‫הכירו את המשפחות החדשות בבית סיפרינו‬ Leorah Ross Kochav ‘21 “We were drawn to JCDS as it offers Jewish education and values in a framework that is supportive of all streams and levels of Jewish worship. We wanted to be in an environment of inclusiveness that includes support of our family’s orthodox values and heritage in a modern and fresh way, and that simultaneously does not exclude those of different viewpoints and practices. My daughter has thrived in a new school with children who are committed to learning, community inclusiveness, and a strong moral compass. Where else on this planet can you find that unique and eclectic mix of commitment?”

NEW YORK transfer for 4TH GRADE

Deborah and Marshall Skolnick Einhorn Elana ‘19, Ari ‘22, and Shira ‘25 “Jewish education is a central value in our personal and professional lives, so when choosing a school, we looked to where other Jewish educators sent their kids. So many of our colleagues and mentors chose JCDS for their families and that spoke well of the school’s progressive and integrative approach. As soon as we walked in, we were struck by the music and warm atmosphere—the ruach was palpable. When we looked closer, we were taken by the way Hebrew was woven throughout the day, with a full-time Hebrew teacher in every lower school class.

Hebrew is the key to unlocking Jewish texts and although we were coming from another great Jewish day school, only JCDS could provide our children with this depth of Hebrew exposure.”

Yaara and Eyal David Daniel ‘23, Maya ‘25, and Uri

PROVIDENCE transfer for 6TH & 3RD GRADE

“About a month before moving to the U.S., we visited the school and had a chance to interact with a couple of 8th graders. The level of maturity and confidence they showed was astounding. Then we felt this would be the right place for our family.

We find that we are constantly rediscovering all the things that brought us to the school. Our kids are happy and growing every day, and we know their teachers see them for who they are. We have seen them develop socially and emotionally to become part of the fabric of their class.”

ISRAEL transfer for 2ND GRADE

Galit and Michael Heimlich Ariela ‘19 and Ethan “About a month after Ariela joined JCDS, she was sick and unable to attend school. She was really upset, but for a reason we would never have guessed. She did not want to miss school because she loved it so much! What is amazing at JCDS is the love of learning that teachers impart to their students. Everyone needs to be a lifelong learner in order to succeed in this fast-paced, evolving world. Since coming to JCDS, Ariela has excelled academically and socially, but most of all she has learned to really enjoy learning, a skill that will stay with her throughout life.”

NEWTON transfer for 5TH GRADE

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Students reunite on the JCDS playground after summer vacation at the annual Back to School Picnic.

From left to right: Emma ‘25, Rose ‘24, Eliora ‘24, Shirel ‘24, Micah ‘24, and Hadara ‘26.

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15

LEFT: Stav Bejerano ‘13 and Eve Segel ‘13 at the JCDS Class of 2013 Alumni Luncheon.

CLA S S N OT E S

JC D S ‫בוג ר י‬

RIGHT: Many alumni from the JCDS Class of 2013 at the Luncheon with their teachers.

In college?

Working?

Volunteering?

Traveling?

Getting married?

Having a baby?

Let us know what’s happening in your life by emailing your updates to news@ jcdsboston.org.

Class of 2017

David Engel David has been a longtime fan of the Museum of World War II located in Natick, MA. This summer, building on his learning in the 8th grade social science Holocaust unit, David volunteered at the museum, pouring over primary source documents and unique artifacts, in order to create a presentation to be used as a classroom resource by JCDS students for years to come.

Class of 2011

Akiva Jackson Akiva is having a blast at Princeton University, where he is torn between studying great literature, art history, and math. He spent this past summer as a tribe leader for the youngest campers at Eden Village Camp, a pluralistic Jewish farming camp in upstate New York, and also ran a five-day hiking and canoeing orientation trip for first-years at his college.

Class of 2009

Julia Bernstein After attending Newton North where she sprinted on the track team and joined the science team, Julia studied Biology, Studio Art, and French at Skidmore College. She took her French studies to Morocco, where she spent a semester abroad learning about human rights and traditional bread-making while taking intensive Arabic classes (Fus’ha and Darija).

This past May, Julia graduated with a B.A. in Biology and received a grant to spend the summer researching with Dr. Stephen Jones at the Bread Lab in Washington State.

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Barak Swarttz Barak is currently a senior at Curry College, where he studies Business Management with a concentration in Marketing. He completed his freshman and sophomore years at Elmira College, where he studied Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. While at Elmira, he was a member of the Men’s Basketball team, the Class of 2018 President, a Red Cross club volunteer, and a resident assistant. At Curry, he plays on the Men’s Basketball team, is a member of SAAC (StudentAthlete Advisory Committee), and is also a resident assistant.

Class of 2006

Mika Braginsky Mika lives in Cambridge, MA, where they are pursuing a PhD in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT. Their research focuses on modeling how children learn language. In their non-research time they ride bikes, partner dance, and engage in political activism.

Mazal Tov to the JCDS Class of 2013 on their college and gap year program acceptances!

COLLEGES Cornell University Princeton University Sarah Lawrence College Skidmore College Tulane University UCLA University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Washington University in St. Louis

GAP YEAR PROGRAMS Big Idea Gap Year Program BINA Gap Year Program International Volunteers Headquarters in Costa Rica SKA Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz Nativ Gap Year Program Yeshivat Orayta

A LUMNI WHO CODE

‫אפליקציות של בוגרינו‬ THREE GOOD THINGS: A HAPPINESS JOURNAL

BY ASHER DALE ‘13 In June 2017, Asher Dale released his first app called “Three Good Things A Happiness Journal” on Apple’s App Store. This 5-star app was featured in Boston Magazine.

What is the app?

From the Boston Magazine Review: “Called Three Good Things—a

Happiness Journal, the free iOS app simply prompts users to log their three good things each day—from a nice phone conversation to a promotion at work—and allows them to track their entries over time. ‘It’s a really small thing that you can do at the end of every day,’ said Dale.”

What inspired you to create it?

After reading Harvard researcher Shawn Achor’s book, The Happiness Advantage, which describes the Three Good Things method, I was impressed that a simple action could have such an impact on people’s long-term happiness. After I started to use the method myself, I realized I could help people by applying my computer science knowledge to make this method more accessible.

How do you feel this can positively influence the world?

With over 7,500 downloads, 100 5-star ratings, and many emails and reviews thanking me for making the app, I think the app has already positively influenced the world! Additionally, I hope that this app becomes the first step for people deciding to consciously improve their lives.

Looking back, how did JCDS help you on your journey to create this app?

JCDS definitely played a huge role in my personal and academic development, ultimately leading me to make the app.

At JCDS, my passion for math was supported and nurtured throughout my nine years, which later made me interested in computer science. Additionally, with its focus on tikkun olam, JCDS helped me realize that I have the potential, as well as the responsibility, to better the world.

CLEARBRIDGE

BY MATAN KOTLER-BERKOWITZ ‘16 At his Reflections Ceremony in June 2016, Matan Kotler-Berkowitz presented his concept for an app to welcome new students to JCDS and to ease their transition.

What is the app?

ClearBridge is a brand-new app which will ease new students’ transitions by bridging the gap of knowledge about JCDS between new and returning students. This application will become an online platform for teachers and faculty to help, inform, and educate new students. Using the app, teachers assign informational “guides” on a range of topics related to the school, such as the dress code, food policy, or t’fillah. This app would be a digital guidebook f0r new students.

What inspired you to create it?

I myself was a transfer student, so I wanted to create something that would help future transfers to the school. When I first thought of the idea, I felt like it was something that would have been really helpful in my own transfer experience. I wanted to create it so that other transfer students would have that help in their own experiences.

Did JCDS provide you with skills to make this project possible?

Although the school might not have given me the exact technical skills to create the app, it definitely helped me develop other skills that were necessary to make this project possible, such as time management, communication skills, and confidence when learning new skills.

ClearBridge will launch Winter 2017 and will be used for Middle School transfer students. JCDS 5th graders, who are beginning their middle school journey, will be testing and using the app as well.

Dale is set to major in computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Fall 2018. He sees himself eventually starting his own company or working at a startup after graduation.

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‫תכניות תמיכה לימודיות‬

In all grades, JCDS works diligently and purposefully on cultivating the Habits of Heart and Mind to help students engage with people different from themselves. As part of achieving that goal, JCDS has been implementing co-curricular programming that focuses on giving back to the larger Boston community.

The Jackson Mann School

Better Together and Hebrew Senior Life

Last year, Rosh 8th Grade and Humanities teacher Joanne Baker organized an ongoing tikkun olam project to ensure that 8th graders had a meaningful and growth-filled experience mentoring 3rd grade students at the Jackson Mann School in Allston. JCDS was fortunate to pair up with the JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council), which was instrumental in helping implement this program. During the sessions, each 8th grader was assigned a student to tutor for whom English is a second language. “The results were extraordinary; both older and younger children forged deep relationships with one another, anticipating each visit with gusto,” said Baker.

Building off of last year’s 4th grade visits to The Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale, this year, 5th grade students will be participating in the Better Together Program, generously supported by a prominent national foundation. The program is designed to encourage meaningful interaction between young and old by learning together, celebrating Shabbat and holiday rituals, sharing personal stories, and engaging in joyful song.

This inter-generational program offers students opportunities to further strengthen the skills, dispositions, and knowledge necessary to foster relationships with senior adults and to build ongoing relationships.

During the culminating program at JCDS in January, buddies decorated bookmarks, played games, toured the school, and ate goodies. The Jackson Mann youngsters returned to their school with several hundred books collected for them by the 8th graders.

Learning to effectively communicate was one of the major hurdles students overcame during their sessions. Inbal ‘17 commented that although “it was a challenge… as soon as we found a few things in common, [my buddy] was more outgoing and less shy.” Kristina Gregory, Student Support Coordinator at the Jackson Mann School, said she was amazed by the camaraderie. “The kids that came were super invested with their buddies. The kids were self-sufficient and always looked forward to their sessions.”

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“

Children

forged deep

relationships, anticipating each visit with gusto.

“

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS

Better Together offers students the opportunity to interact with a population they may not experience too often, while bringing residents together with young visitors who are out of their everyday sphere. The visits give students an important chance to act as JCDS ambassadors and practice the JCDS Habits of integrity, curiosity, empathy, multiple perspectives, and reflection. The Better Together visits are a perfect platform for students to share their learning, connect with the residents around core Jewish themes and texts, learn the wisdom of elders, and gain appreciation for their experiences.

ABOVE: Matan ‘17 with his Jackson Mann reading buddy at the goodbye ceremony.

LEFT: Ma’ayan ‘21 visiting with a resident at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale.

2017 ANNUAL REPORT F ROM THE BOA RD PRES IDENT 2015-201 7

‫מנשיאת ח ב ר הנאמני ם‬

Dear Friends:

Fifteen years after first joining JCDS, I am in awe of the tremendous impact it has had on my family. Now more than ever, I am profoundly grateful to be a member of this community. This is a school that has held true to its founding principle of being a place for academic excellence where each child is nurtured. Personally, this is a place where my child and his classmates know each other on a deep level, admire each other’s strengths, and care for one another. Not only does my son joyfully enter the halls of JCDS, but I also find myself happy to be here. Whether it’s to attend a meeting, play catchball, or chat for a few minutes with a friend, this is our second home. Last year, 95% of parents donated to the Annual Campaign, demonstrating their happiness and confidence in JCDS. During this past year, the broader Jewish community has struggled with the rising cost of Jewish day school. I am proud to say that many of our trustees have been asked to participate in these discussions in the hopes that a community effort can change the trajectory of rising tuition. Meanwhile, our trustees wrestle with rising costs at nearly every board meeting and in many of our committee meetings. We are proud to say that we provide tuition relief to 50% of our families, but wish we could offer a tuition that does not necessitate so many sacrifices from so many of our families. And so, our work goes on.

Looking ahead, we continue to explore many opportunities to partner with people and organizations in the broader community. There have been some successes in tangible ways, including recruiting families from outside our traditional “base,” and securing money from grants such as Better Together. Yet our work continues.

JCDS, now in its 22nd year, is an established school and a beacon in the Jewish community.

At the recent Prizmah Conference held in Chicago this past January, three of our faculty presented educational sessions. Additionally, five JCDS parents who are educators were asked to present sessions as well. For a relatively small and young school, we should be proud.

Please accept my deepest appreciation for all the ways in which you give to JCDS. It astonishes me how often people step up to the plate to offer their time, resources, and talents to help the school. Thank you to our parent campaign co-chairs, Matters of Taste co-chairs, auction co-chairs, development co-chairs and committee members, fellow board members, parents, faculty, staff, and the many volunteers who helped to make all this happen. Together, we accomplished a great deal and set the stage for future success.

As the Tannaitic sage Rabbi Tarfon said, “You are not obligated to complete the work but neither are you free to abandon it.” While I stepped down as President of the Board over the summer, I am thrilled that Liz Waksman graciously agreed to step up. I am confident that Liz’s combination of talent, deep commitment to JCDS and its ideals, and good humor will serve us well. I look forward to working with Liz in the coming years.

Kol tuv,

Sari Korman President 2015-2017, JCDS Board of Trustees

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19

2017 ANNUAL REPORT F RO M T H E D IR EC TO R O F DE VE LOP M E N T

‫מ ר א ש מח ל קת‬ ‫פי תוח ות רומות‬ As a parent and staff member, I know that JCDS is more than a school. On any given day, JCDS is a research lab where educators seek ways to make the educational program even more innovative. It is a community whose families build lifelong connections to one another. It is a spiritual center that fosters Jewish values. And it is a cultural crossroads where children from across the spectrum of Jewish observance come together to learn.

The stories in this issue of Nitzotzot reflect the many facets of the JCDS prism. I hope you enjoyed reading about the school’s partnership with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (p. 8), the alumni who are building ingenious apps (p. 17), and the students working with the elderly (p. 18).

Equally multi-faceted are the donors who help put the school’s mission into action. In this Annual Report, we are honored to recognize

the individuals and families who express their values through their giving. How fortunate we are as a school, and how thankful, for the kindness and generosity of our community.

In 2017, the school achieved its strongest Annual Fund of the past five years with the highest numbers of households giving and the greatest number of gifts ever. Our goal in this school year is to surpass that accomplishment. Can we do it? Can our school continue to grow? As you consider the ways in which JCDS is so much more than a school, the answer is in your hands and in your heart.

Warm regards,

Jennifer London Director of Development and Communications

HOW C AN YOU F U LF IL L YO U R PARENT CA M PA IG N CO MMI T MEN T ?

MAKE AN ONLINE GIFT

H E L P U S R E ACH

in honor of your children at www.jcdsboston.org/donate-now

O U R G OAL O F 10 0 % PA RT ICI PAT I O N BY

PURCHASE MATTERS OF TASTE TICKETS

DEC EMBE R 31, 2 017 !

Save your space! Call the Development Office: 617-972-1733

ATTEND PARENT CAMPAIGN EVENTS RSVP at www.jcdsboston.org/parent-campaign

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N ITZOTZOT / FA LL 2 01 7

Parent participation in the Annual Fund helps us make a strong case for support to grant makers and other donors. Your gift in any amount helps us reach 100% parent giving, symbolizing our belief in our special school.

Parent Campaign Co-Chairs, Jenny Gomeringer (left), parent of Emma ‘25, and Jill Baker (right), parent of Lishi ‘17, Meital ‘19, Maor ‘21, and Alanna ‘23.

Gifts of all sizes are critical to sustaining the operation of the school.

Your donation helps us to:

› Strengthen academic programs › Make improvements to facilities › Provide new and current families in our community with tuition assistance

2017 ANNUAL REPORT FA MILY I N F OCUS

‫באו ר הז רקו ר‬

Carey explains that one of the reasons she is so invested in Jewish education is because she did not receive a formal Jewish education as a child: “Looking back, I believe I would have gained so much from attending a Jewish school. It has become a goal of ours to enable as many families as possible to send their children to JCDS.” David believes that a Jewish education prepares children to be active in the Jewish community.

It has become

CAREY SCHWARTZ

a goal of ours

AND DAVID SHARFF

to enable as many families as possible to send their children to JCDS.

“

“

MEET

In addition to chairing Matters of Taste 2018 and Carey serving on the JCDS Board for eight years, Carey and David simply describe themselves as the proud parents of three daughters, one who just graduated from college, one who just started college, and one in her last year of high school.

Carey is an editor and sits on the boards of JCDS, Summer Ink, an adventure and writing summer camp, and the Rose Art Museum of Brandeis University. David is the principal architect of an architectural firm that specializes in residential design. They are residents of Boston and Medfield and are members of Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley and Temple Emunah in Lexington.

When asked specifically about supporting JCDS, Carey explains, “JCDS is a model for day schools in terms of instilling its students with love: a love of learning, a love of Hebrew, and a love of Israel. JCDS provides a childcentered education and students literally skip into building each day. This school is their community, and it is our community as well.”

JCDS is a community of learners, and as members, Carey and David take to heart the teachings and values that JCDS instills. “I am a huge proponent of pluralism and an ardent fan of Dr. Susie Tanchel; her leadership has grown the school tremendously and encouraged a Growth Mindset in everyone,” says Carey. “For the last few years, JCDS has been encouraging the entire community, including its board members, to practice Growth Mindset. Although David and I consider ourselves to be private people, we agreed (after working to evolve our mindset) to co-chair Matters of Taste 2018. We are eager to bring the entire community together on March 18th, and have already lined up some incredible speakers from areas such as business, education, and technology.”

Carey, David, and the rest of the JCDS community invite you to join us at this year’s Matters of Taste on March 18, 2018. For more information, turn to page 27.

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21

2017 ANNUAL REPORT F I NA NCIA L HIGHLIGHTS

‫חדשות מא ג ף ה כ ספי ם‬

Revenue Contributions 16.1%

Other Income 4.4% Grants 3.98%

Net Tuition 77.2%

Expenses Supplies & Services 10.0% Facilities 6.6%

Debt Service 6.6%

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N ITZOTZOT / FA LL 2 01 7

Salaries & Benefits 76.9%

2017 ANNUAL REPORT R E P O RT OF GIFTS

T H ANK YO U F O R YOU R S U P P O RT !

‫תרומו ת שנת תש ע״ז‬ ‫תודה ע ל תמיכ ת כם‬

JCDS is profoundly grateful for the generous financial support provided by parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, trustees, friends and businesses. Donations to the JCDS Annual Fund underwrite academic programs, professional development for faculty and staff, and the flexible tuition fund that allows us to welcome a diverse range of families to our community.

The donors listed below made gifts to JCDS between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. $ 5 0,0 0 0 A N D A B OVE

Joanne and Paul Egerman Sari Korman and John Hunt Joseph and Rae Gann Charitable Foundation Legacy Heritage Fund Bonnie and Marty Tenenbaum $ 1 8 ,0 0 0 - $ 49,9 9 9

Anonymous Claudia Davidoff Rita and Herb Gann Gayle and Jerry Klusky Lizbeth and George Krupp Julie Altman and Alex Sagan Rosalyn and Richard Slifka Arnee R. and Walter A. Winshall $ 1 0,0 0 0 - $ 1 7,9 9 9

Anonymous Betsy Hecker and John J. Barter Phyllis Hammer Joan and Peter Hoffman Claudia Davidoff and Joseph Kahan Shiri and Ilan Segev Michelle Barmazel and Kevin Steinberg Judith and Richard Wurtman $ 5 ,0 0 0 - $ 9,9 9 9

Lois and Milton Cail Shoshana Jacobs and David Charytan Nicole and Joshua Gann Elizabeth Waksman and Darren Orbach

$2,500 - $4 ,999

Anonymous (2) Fran Elovitz Lillian Freedman Catharyn and Mike Gildesgame Winnie Sandler Grinspoon and Steven Grinspoon Carla Naumburg and Joshua Herzig-Marx The Joseph and Anna Gartner Foundation Joseph Gann Jewelers The Melvin and Beatrice Fraiman Charitable Foundation Peggy and Marvin Menzin Susie and Howie Rodenstein Sarah Luria and Tom Schwarz Judy and Albert Zabin $1 ,000 - $ 2,499

Anonymous (2) Susan and Aron Ain Jessica and David Aronoff Jill and Marc Baker Shelley Baker Ifat and Yaniv Bejerano Mozelle and Joel Berkowitz Ed Black Marci and Joram Borenstein Barbara Lapidas-Brown and Larry Brown Margaret and Chaim Charytan Chelsea Hebrew Free School Endowment Fund Eran and Yukiko Egozy Rebekah Farber

Rena Gray Fein and Robert Fein Tamar and Kenneth Frieze Nancy Ganz Peni A. Garber David and Michael Goldman Katya Brezgunova and Igor Gomberg Google Inc. Sarah and Joshua Gortler Beth and Lawrence Greenberg Maria and Alexander Gurevich The Harold Grinspoon Foundation Rabbi Susan Harris Judy and Chayim Herzig-Marx Andrea and Jonathan Kamens Barbara and Leo Karas Devra and Donald Lasden Jill Leanse and Family Naomi Aberly and Laurence Lebowitz Sharon Levin and Rabbi David Lerner Alisa Berger and Samuel Moyn Adele and Andrew Newman Debra Gelber and Avrom Pfeffer Sarah Markovitz and Jacob Pinnolis Fiona Epstein and Jon Pollack Suzanne Priebatsch Robin Neiterman and Adam T. Puritz

Jaka and Gadi Saarony Miriam Sheftel Robyn and Bruce Shoulson Nicole Lamberg and Adam Shyevitch The Sidman Family Mike Sokolowski Judith Katz and Dean Solomon Karin and Leo Sprecher Jen Kaplan and Dr. Susan Tanchel UnitedHealth Group Ruth Weinrib and Paul Weiss Stanley Wolf $5 00 - $999

Elisa Deener-Agus and Michael Agus Susan Shevitz and Larry Bailis Julia Khodor Beloborodov and Mark Beloborodov Teri Berenson Dina and Paul Berger Anita Bers Harvey Bock Claire and Daniel Caine Hanania Cohen Lisa and Arieh Coll Orly Mishan and Timothy Crawford Ada Beth and Chuck Cutler Brenda and Jerry Deener Galit Cohen and Lior Div Terri and Solomon Eisenberg Dena and Gary Elovitz Malka and Menachem Engel Talia and Yoni Engelhart

Janet Zerlin Fagan and Mark Fagan Varda and Neal Farber Jennifer London and Steven Feinstein Nancy and Peter Finn Renee and Steven Finn Helen Tager-Flusberg and Martin Flusberg Robin and Bruce Forman Zelda and Elkan Gamzu Dena and Jason Glasgow Susan Hirsh and Charles Glick Steven Goldstein and Steve Greenberg Allison Cook and David Hirsh Elizabeth and Dan Jick Rabbi Sylvan Kamens and Rhoda Kamens Carol and David Krentzman Emily Beck and Jon Levisohn Stephanie and Yair Listokin Susan Rodgin and Warren Manning Miriam Newman and Michael Pinnolis Shulamit and Jehuda Reinharz Belle Halpern and Mitch Rosenberg Leorah Ross Barbara Skydell Safran and Arthur Safran Margery Sokoloff and Jeffrey Shoulson Judy and David Skolnick Gilda Slifka Nancy Rigelhaupt Smith and Howard Smith

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2017 ANNUAL REPORT R E P ORT O F GIFTS con tin u e d ‫ה מש ך‬

‫תר ומ ו ת ש נ ת ת שע״ ז‬

Jennifer and Amiel Weinstock Tamara Charm and Oren Weisberg Eli M. Wylen $ 250 - $ 49 9

Anonymous (2) Shirah Rubin and Bret Ancowitz Shirley Baker Ruth Nemzoff and Harris Berman Karen Bernanke Julia Greenstein and Paul Bleicher Joyce and Michael Bohnen Sara Riedner Brown and Stephen Brown Emily and Doug Charton Tova Mirvis and Bruce Cohen Janine and Douglas Cohen Yaara and Eyal David Rachel and Behzad Dayanim Deborah Skolnick Einhorn and Marshall Einhorn Karen and David Firestone Jane and Edward Foster Rachel and William Foster Yael Getz-Schoen and Gad A. Getz Sophie Gildesgame ‘06 Janet Yassen and Irle Goldman Beth and Julian Gott Esther Gross Anna Jotkowitz and Dan Gutfreund Barbara Gutman Carol and Michael Hirsh Sherry Israel

24

Shira Horowitz and Maurice Karpman Charlotte Ross and Matthew Katz Marcia and Rabbi Alvan Kaunfer Elana Fein and Doron Korinow Sally Bock and Rabbi Ira Korinow Ellen and Michael Krause-Grosman Sharon and Igo Krebs Arleen Kulin Kitty Stein and John Langell Robert Laverdure Karen and Joseph Linitz Karen and Ken Munkacy Elizabeth and Robert Pressman Laura and Guy Shechter Ruth and Zvi Shechter Rachel Goldberg and Brian Sokol Linda Hsu and Marc Steinberg Naava Frank and Gregg Stern Jenna Andelman and Gavin Steyn Miriam and Ehud Telem Ana Gordon Volpi and Matthew Volpi Luz Arevalo and Ed Zabin Dorit and Ofer Zmiri UP TO $249

Anonymous (4) Mara and Stephane Acel-Green Robin and Matthew Adwin Leslie and Allen Ancowitz

N ITZOTZOT / FA LL 2 01 7

Rachel Greenblatt and James Appelbaum Keren Hamel and Ytshak Avrahami Barbara Bach Beth and Adam Badik Christine Battista Madelyn Bell Sasha Bergmann Jennifer Dupee and Josh Bers Jerome Bloom Nancy and Jacob Bloom Linda and Bruno Borenstein Michelle and Michael Boyle Toby Bresky Arleen Chase Tehila and Ian Cherubino Julie Chivo Shira Deener and David Chodirker Barbra Batshalom and Moshe Cohen Kathleen and Scott Cohen James Cohen Susan and Stewart Cook Ann and Sidney Cramer Yonina and Michael Cramer Rachel Fish and Dave Cutler Hannah Dale ‘07 Carole and David Decter Beth Polasky and Samuel Furgang Tamar Davis Galper and Allan Galper Celia and Dr. Steve Gamm Revital Ganzi Chera Garlick ‘08 Lauren and Jonathan Garlick Sari and Walter Gazda Suzanne Gelber

Dr. Shiri Katz-Gershon and Yaniv Gershon Risa and Zev Gewurz Elise Gladstone Laura Green and David Golan Ruth Gold Nancy Glazer Pearl and David Goldberg Jenny and Tim Gomeringer Jennifer and Seth Gordon Amy and Steven Gortler Nancy Nozick-Grodin and Michael Grodin Terri and Rich Grogan Ruth and Richard Grossman Laura Ball and Sharon Gucciardo Anna Jotkowitz and Dan Gutfreund Rachel Sagan and Steven Gutherz Galit and Michael Heimlich Zona and Martin Hoffman Muriel Horowitz Talya Housman ‘03 Sandy Falk and Rabbi Dan Judson Ellen and Robert Kaplan Linda Brodt and Paul Katz Linda and Peter Katz Rachel Pressman Kaunfer and Oren Kaunfer Judy Izen and Myles Kleper Deborah Simonds and Stuart Kolodner Alisa and Laurence Kotler-Berkowitz Elizabeth and Daniel Kraft Linda G. Krause Rabbi Sue Fendrick and Ben Kruskal

Rachel Kruskal Annette Lakein Orit Kent and Meir Lakein Esther and Josh Langer Claudia Kreiman and Ebn Leader Lynda Fink and Maury Lederman Meg and Eli Lederman Lisa and Rabbi Daniel Lehmann Hila Romi and Akiva Leibowitz Marsha and Michael Levin Shari Levitz Benyamin Lichtenstein Simeon Lichtenstein ‘17 Naomi Gurt Lind and William Lind Miriam Seidman and Asher Lindenbaum Ariel and Beth Lisogorsky Mara Littman Miriam and Rajiv Manglani Margot Mann Ilana and Natan Margalit Francine Margulies Lenore Marx Cheryl Weiner and Jared Matas Alan Mayer Susan Weiner and Jason Mazur Yavilah and Roderick McCoy Lara Michal Skarf and Joshua Meyer Judy and Harold Meyer Rabbi Daniel Berman and Sarah Meyers Gavriel Elkind and Jacob Mirsky Lynnie and David Mirvis

2017 ANNUAL REPORT R E P O RT OF GIFTS con tin u e d ‫ה מש ך‬

‫תר ומ ו ת ש נ ת ת שע״ ז‬

Miriam and Raphael Mishan Thea Breite and Susan Moser Melissa Appel-Nahmias and JP Nahmias Sharon Feiman-Nemser and Louis Nemser Jennifer and Joel Newman Marina Umaschi Bers and Patricio O’Donnell Ellen Levy and Jerry Pearl Edna Perlmutter Angela Sigal Poock and Jeremy Poock Annette and Marc Posner Rebecca Weinstein and Dan Posner Tamar and Michael Propp Revi and William Quintana Randi Berkowitz and Jonathan Regosin Judith Rosenbaum and Rabbi Or Rose Rose, Chinitz & Rose Clare Rosenfield Sally Rosenfield Faye and Alan Rosenstein Natasha Ross Aviva and Jeremy Rothman-Shore Terri Swartz-Russell and David Russell Diane Safer Judith Sagan Barbara and Michael Sawyer Susan and Robert Scherr Gertrude Schwab Ethel and Lester Segal Michael Segal Norma and Mel Shakun Josh Schreiber Shalem Talya Weisbard Shalem Lihi and Eitai Shoshani

Danya Handelsman and Jed Shugerman Lynn Shyevitch Elaine and Joseph Siegel Bryna and David Silbert Henry Silverman Daniela and Seth Silverstein Lisa Wasserman Sivan and Ezra Zuckerman Sivan Barbara and Barry Skarf Onir Leshem and Jeffrey Spiegel Heather Hill and Jon Star Kathy and Tony Starr Rabbi Carol Glass and Rabbi Michael Swarttz Alissa and David Talamo Sandy and David Tall Temple Beth Zion Yevgenia Khodor Tolan and Michael Tolan Sharon and David Topper Nancy Vineberg Rosalen Vineberg Aliza and Louis VosLevitz Yonina Hoffman-Wanderer and Jeremy Wanderer Sivanne and Boaz Waserman Lois and Frederick Weinstein Shelley and Steven Weinstock Phyllis H. Weisbard Judy and Joseph White Felice and Mark Whittum Melinda and Fred Whittum Deborah Wieder Sally Wieder Deborah Goldberg and Michael Winter Heather Zacker Bracha L. Zeitler

NI T ZOT ZOT / FA LL 2017

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2017 ANNUAL REPORT R E P ORT O F GIFTS con tin u e d ‫ה מש ך‬

‫תר ומ ו ת ש נ ת ת שע״ ז‬

WE H AV E T R I ED TO BE AS ACCUR AT E A S POS S I B L E I N O UR L I S T I N G S. WE AP O LO G I Z E FO R A N Y ER RO R S O R O M I S S I O N S T H AT M AY AP P E A R . PL E A S E CO N TACT T HE D EV ELO P M EN T O F F I CE AT 61 7-972 17 3 3 WI T H AN Y R EQ UES TS F O R F UT UR E L I S T I N G S.

M O R ÉS H ET EYTA Ń A

ENDOWMENT FUNDS

LEG AC Y SOCI E TY O U R S T RO NG HE RITAGE

‫מ ו ר שת א יתנה‬ The Moréshet Eytańa Legacy Society recognizes the generosity of those individuals and families who have included JCDS in their estate plans. All planned gifts, such as bequests and deferred gifts providing life income, qualify a donor for membership in this society. Members of Moréshet Eytańa, translated from the Hebrew as “Our Strong Heritage,” have thoughtfully provided for the strength, integrity and value of the JCDS experience for generations to come.

If you have arranged to support JCDS through your charitable estate plans please contact Jennifer London at 617-972-1733 or jenniferl@jcdsboston.org so that we can welcome you as a member of our legacy society.

Moréshet Eytańa gratefully recognizes the following alumni parents, grandparents, staff and friends who have included JCDS in their long-term philanthropic plans.

The JCDS Endowment helps provide financial stability for the school. Generous donors have contributed to endowed funds that extend the school’s ability to offer flexible tuition. We express deep gratitude to the families and friends, past and present, whose gifts help insure that JCDS remains a diverse and inclusive community. For information on how to establish or support an endowed fund, please contact the development office.

Anonymous The Catharyn and Mike Gildesgame Flexible Tuition Fund The Winnie Sandler Grinspoon and Steven Grinspoon Flexible Tuition Fund The Joan and Peter Hoffman Flexible Tuition Fund Joseph J. Marbach Memorial Flexible Tuition Fund Krupp Fund for the Future - Inspired by a leadership gift from George Krupp and supported by: Anonymous Sari Korman and John Hunt Barbara and David Listokin Stephanie and Yair Listokin Shiri and Ilan Segev Richard Slifka Bonnie and Marty Tenenbaum

Anonymous Fran Elovitz Linda Brodt and Paul Katz Dr. Susie Tanchel Albert and Judith Zabin

8TH GRADE CLA S S G IF T Every year, eighth grade families come together to help fund a particular need for JCDS. With these gifts, families create a lasting legacy that honors their children’s time at the school.

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Naomit Erel Armony and Izhar Armony Elisa Deener-Agus and Michael Agus Rachel Greenblatt and James Appelbaum Keren Hamel and Ytshak Avrahami Jill and Mark Baker Ifat and Yaniv Bejerano Sasha Bergmann Shoshana Jacobs and David Charytan

Yoninah and Michael Cramer Malka and Manachem Engel Rachel and William Foster Dr. Shiri Katz-Gershon and Yaniv Gershon Nancy Glazer Pearl and David Goldberg David and Michael Goldman Anna Jotkowitz and Dan Gutfreund Charlotte Ross and Matthew Katz

Sharon and Igo Krebs Rabbi Sue Fendrick and Ben Kruskal Benyamin Lichtenstein Julie Altman and Alex Sagan Margery Sokoloff and Jeffrey Shoulson Heather Hill and Jon Star Alissa and David Talamo Jennifer and Amiel Weinstock Felice and Mark Whittum

SAVE T H ESE DATES!

Chanukah Celebration December 14, 2017

‫ציינו את התארי כי ם הבא ים‬

Generations Day May 4, 2018

STEM Day

End of Year Celebration

December 15, 2017

June 7, 2018

Humanities Day

Graduation

January 9, 2018

June 12, 2018

D O N’ T MI SS I T !

M A RC H 1 8, 201 8 19th Annual

Matters Taste OF

‫ענין של טעם‬

To Benefit JCDS, Boston’s Jewish Community Day School EVENT CHAIRS Carey Schwartz and David Sharff A N U N F O RG E T TA BL E E V E NI NG Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres—Silent Auction Dinner—Intimate Conversations with Special Guests Dessert Reception—All at JCDS

NITZOTZOT M AGA Z I NE CR EDI TS

Editorial Miriam Seidman Communications Manager

JOIN US To sponsor, donate an auction item, or purchase tickets, contact RebeccaW@jcdsboston.org or 617-972-1733 SPECIAL PARENT PRICING AVAILABLE!

Jennifer London Director of Development and Communications

Design & Photography Miriam Seidman

Printing Signal Graphics

NI T ZOT ZOT / FA LL 2017

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SPA R KS MAG A Z IN E / FA L L

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