Page 37 - Jewish News_July-2020

FOCUS ON YOUTH July 2020 37

The ‘Little Day School’ that can – and has

the Orthodox community, the number One of our proudest achievements individual identities.
of day schools and the number of chil- is building and uniting a cross-section We are also pleased that Hebrew
dren attending those schools has been of this community that did not have the language and Torah study are among
declining since the early 2000s. space to come together previously. We our fastest-growing programs. One sil-
And yet, the Hershorin Schiff have partnerships and programming ver lining of the Coronavirus pandemic
Community Day School has enjoyed bringing together the full spectrum of in the spring, when we transitioned to
tremendous growth over the past five Jewish practice – from our Chabad distance learning, was that we realized
years, with an increase from fewer than synagogues to Reform temple partner- just how important our weekly Shabbat
100 students to more than 270. ships – all while cultivating relation- observances are to the families in our
The Jewish Community Study im- ships with interfaith organizations. As program, regardless of religion or level
plemented by The Jewish Federation a final step to create our unique hub for of affiliation.
of Sarasota-Manatee last year noted the Jewish community, we have just In the five years since we became
the following in Sarasota-Manatee: hired our first faculty rabbi to join our an independent entity, we have grown
3.6% of residents are Jewish; there staff. and been recognized across the nation
are 3,700 children living in Sarasota- Over the past three years, we have for the work we are doing. Numerous
Education Corner Manatee Jewish households; and just engaged numerous major donors in our communities have reached out to us to

By Dan Ceaser 4% of age-eligible Jewish children are mission and established an endowment learn more about our model, planning
to support scholarships. We’ve in-
to incorporate elements such as pur-
enrolled at day school (ours).
s Hershorin Schiff Community Since my arrival here in 2015, I creased our operating revenue by close poseful pluralism, project-based learn-
Day School celebrates five have heard from concerned members to $2 million and established a strate- ing and/or social-emotional learning,
Ayears as an independent entity, of the community every reason why gic reserve. As our base of support and among others, in their own institutions.
I thought it would be an appropriate our school could fail: our model is not excitement for the future continues to I am pleased to report that, in this
time to talk about our achievements viable; our curriculum is not Jewish grow, we look forward to securing a wonderful community, the future looks
as well as to express my gratitude for enough; our curriculum is too Jewish long-term home that will allow us to very bright indeed. As we continue to
the steadfast support the school has for non-Jewish students; modern Jew- accommodate our waitlists and con- invest in growing the only option for
enjoyed from many visionary and pas- ish families aren’t interested in study- tinue to build and nurture the region’s a Jewish day school in our region, we
sionate leaders, donors and families ing Hebrew or the Torah (other than first and only community Jewish day invite the entire community to partner,
who believe in our work. in religious school); the area is too school. attend public events, donate and/or,
For many years, researchers and geographically widespread; the Jewish For those who feel that a pluralis- yes, enroll their children at Commu-
Jewish community leaders have stud- community is too siloed; there simply tic school is not a Jewish day school, nity Day School. And many thanks to
ied and made pronouncements about aren’t enough Jews in the community we would argue that the school’s de- all who have believed and supported us
critical issues such as Jewish affiliation to support a day school. mographics prove that families are along our journey!
and the future of our Jewish people. But in actual practice, none of looking for non-traditional paths to af- Dan Ceaser is Head of School at Her-
Jewish day schools have been seen as the above have turned out to be true. filiation and engagement. Regardless shorin Schiff Community Day School.
a crucial tool in engaging future gen- Despite all of the reasons why a day of their practices, we see Community
erations but, while enrollment has in- school couldn’t thrive in Sarasota- Day families moving toward greater
creased overall due to the growth of Manatee, here we are. levels of affiliation within their own
Community Day School receives

$50,000 for scholarships

t Hershorin Schiff Community Two need-based scholarships of age other community members to step
Day School, there are students $25,000 have been created with the gift up in any capacity because people are
Awho may be at risk of not be- from the Culverhouse Family Founda- going to need our help for a while,”
ing able to afford tuition costs due to tion. The Eliza Perlmutter Culverhouse said Eliza. “The education that children
the economic impacts of the Corona- Scholarship Fund will provide assis- receive at Community Day School is
superior. It would be heartbreaking to
virus. But thanks to a generous gift of
tance for qualified families. The Eliza
build. advocate. $50,000 from the Eliza and Hugh Cul- Perlmutter Culverhouse Assistance see even one student have to leave.” Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse
Although its fundraising efforts
verhouse Family Foundation, starting
Fund for Educators will offer support
in the 2020-2021 school year, Com-
have been significantly hampered due
for qualified families for the children
remember. support. munity Day School will have a bigger of educators. to the negative financial impacts of the Florida providing tuition credits during
this crisis.
COVID-19 crisis, Community Day
“People have lost jobs and their
safety net for families that are strug-
gling financially.
businesses. I hope our gift will encour-
School ratcheted up existing support
By mid-May, Head of School
mechanisms to help families who are Dan Ceaser estimated that the school
Bridges Looking to struggling. According to the Florida had awarded as much as $70,000 in
Council of Independent Schools, Com-
program credits and new or increased
We build bridges between people by visiting synagogues, churches and civic munity Day is one of the few accred- need-based financial aid requests since
groups to make presentations about Israel, anti-Semitism and the Boycott, Meet Other ited independent schools in the State of mid-March.
Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS). In addition, we send clergy 280 kosher characters
and community members on missions to Israel to experience and learn Jewish Families?
about the land while forging friendships that deepen and continue twitter.com/jfedsrq
back home in Sarasota-Manatee.

^ Builds Bridges
Robert and Esther Heller ^ Advocates through
CRC Government Affairs

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust We can make you a shidduch (a match)!
^ Supports Hillel
Our Community Connectors can’t wait to meet you!
Dori and MG specialize in connecting families raising Jewish
children to each other and to Jewish experiences
Hillel in the Sarasota-Manatee community. Hershorin Schiff Community Day School

Hillel is the “Jewish Home Away from Home” for Jewish Serving students in preschool - 8th grade
students in college. Your CRC and Federation support The Community Day School difference:
Gulf Coast Hillel in its pursuit to create meaningful Instruction tailored to each student’s individual needs
and engaging holiday and educational programs Multiple foreign languages, including Hebrew

on local college campuses. Competitive athletics / intensive outdoor learning and play in every grade
SARASOTA COUNTY MANATEE COUNTY Music and art for every child, every week, all year
Dori Goldfarb MG Berman Variable Tuition Model – affordable for every family
941.677.2184 251.303.3979
Accredited by FCIS, FKC & PRIZMAH
HELLER CRC’S MISSION DoriPJConnector@Gmail.com MGPJConnector@Gmail.com *Rigorous COVID-19 health and safety protocols for on-campus learning*
Interested?
To build relationships within Know someone else who may be interested?
the Jewish and non-Jewish Please contact us! A Jewish school for all

communities and to advance Hershorin Schiff Community Day School
1050 S. Tuttle Ave. Sarasota
common interests through QUESTIONS? Contact Jessi Sheslow SPONSORED BY (941) 552-2770 | admissions@communityday.org
941.343.2109 or jsheslow@jfedsrq.org
education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC JFEDSRQ.ORG/PJ www.CommunityDay.org

STRONGER TOGETHER: Coronavirus Relief Fund For more information, see page 40.