Jewish Private Schools are Bringing Community Home

Student watches video about how to assemble a robotic vehicle. (Provided photo)

When Anna Klein’s daughter, Mia, was a four-year-oldpreschooler at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School (BT), her class was asked tobring in brown bag lunches for the homeless. The bags were being delivered toBeans and Bread, a soup kitchen in Fells Point, not far from where the familywas living at the time.

“I volunteered to drop them off,” recalls Klein. “And when Idid, it was because these are the values I want my children to learn. I wantthem to know that they have an obligation to give back, not only to the Jewishcommunity, but also to the global community. And, Beth Tfiloh emphasized thevalues of going out in the world and doing good.”

It was this commitment to civic responsibility, coupled withthe knowledge that a Jewish private school education* developed the Jewishidentity of its students, that was instrumental in her desire to see herchildren attend BT.

Liana Davis,with husband, Larsson Davis and children Jolie (left) and son Abram. (Provided photo)

“I attended Jewish private schools through 12th grade and amthe grandchild of a Holocaust survivor so my Jewish identity was always verystrong and a big part of who I am,” she adds.

“A Jewish day school education has proven to be one of themost important entities in securing the next generation of Jews — no matterhow they choose to identify as Jews,” says Michael Elman, who co-chairs TheAssociated’s Day School Commission with David Hurwitz.

“The value added,” he adds “is that Jewish day schools alsoallow Jewish students to grow their Jewish identity without sacrificingacademics but actually enhancing them.”

Recognizing the impact Jewish private schools have on thenext generation of Jews, The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimoreprovides scholarship assistance to students at 11 Baltimore day schools toensure students interested in attending can receive a Jewish education.

Hurwitz, whose three children graduated from BT, believesthat each of them benefited from a strong academic dual curriculum thatpromoted critical thinking skills and made his children well prepared forcollege. And, the integration of Jewish values into the learning environmentwas critical to their development as responsible global citizens.

Yet, Jewish private schools provide even more, explainsHurwitz. “They offer a unique community in which parents and students cometogether in times of joy and in times  ofsorrow.”

Liana Davis can attest to that. Last year, when a familymember faced a health crisis – and Liana had to be there to help – her KriegerSchechter Day School (KSDS) community stepped in.

Essie Klein (center) celebrates her birthday with her family and her preschool class. (Provided photo)

“It was amazing to see how everyone in my children’s classesrallied around us. They were there for me to pick my children up from school,to carpool them to after-school activities and to provide play dates when Ineeded help. I had a built-in community that was there, helping me in any waypossible.”

Davis, whose children are entering first and third grades atKSDS this year, I love how the school provided her kids with a community. Italso instilled confidence in who they are.

“My daughter went from hardly saying a word to feelingconfident enough to take on speaking parts in the school play. And, I love tosee how confident they have become in their Jewish identity – the way they lookforward to the candles, challah and blessings for Friday night Shabbatdinners.”

Yet many of Davis’ friends are often under the impressionthat one has to be religious in order for a Jewish private school to be theright fit.

Not true, says Davis, who grew up Conservadox(Conservative/Orthodox) while her husband grew up Reform. “At Schechter, peopledon’t judge. There are Jewish families across the Jewish spectrum.”

Klein agrees. “I often hear people express concern that sending their child to a Jewish private school, doesn’t provide the exposure to deal with the real world, which is obviously a lot more diverse. But I couldn’t disagree more, and I proudly share my experience.”

The Associated provides scholarship assistance to students at Jewish day schools.

“After graduating, I confidently navigated the VERY diverseworld of Boston University, in large part because of the comfort of my strongJewish identity. My first college friends were not even Jewish, and I lovedshlepping them to a Hillel party and sitting around my Shabbat table withpeople from all over the world, Jewish and non-Jewish.“

“A Jewish private school education is important to the continuityof our community,” Hurwitz says. “And we are thrilled that The Associated, asthe convener of Jewish Baltimore, recognizes the value of Jewish privateschools in ensuring the sustainability and strength of our Jewish community.”

For families in Baltimore interested in an independent school experience for  their children, consider a Jewish private school education. Learn more at associated.org/jewishschools.

*  Jewish private schools, also known as Jewishday schools, are part of an independent network of schools that providechildren with a superior academic curriculum along with a deep understanding ofJewish values and traditions

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