Diana Wilmot:
When I thought about reaching out to a Parent of a Yavneh Alum to ask them about why they give to Yavneh, I wanted to connect with someone who’s children have not only graduated from Yavneh, but also graduated from high school, college and began their adult life. Amy Schiff, a former teacher, former Yavneh parent, and current Yavneh donor, shared her thoughts with me this Sunday afternoon. Put bluntly, I asked her, “Why do you think it’s important to give to Yavneh’s Annual Campaign?”
Amy Schiff’s response:
I think it’s important that all Jewish families have the opportunity to choose a Jewish Day school for their children’s education. If you want to live a Jewish life, and connect your family’s values to the Jewish calendar, and its holidays and the mitzvot, Yavneh is the right place in the South Bay. Wonderful teachers, interesting activities, love for Israel, and an appreciation for Jewish learning should all be age appropriate in each grade, but also should be a deep dive for the things that matter to Jewish families.
When I was choosing a school for my children over thirty years ago, I carefully looked at all of the schools in the area, both public and private, and I realized that I was uncomfortable sending my child to any school where the “Hallmark” holidays were prominent. I didn’t want our children to be the “token” Jews. I wanted them to feel comfortable about their identity, and love their history.
It’s not a given, but if we offer our children an engaging Jewish education, where we value the state of Israel and our culture then they will appreciate their Jewish identity and their Jewish soul throughout their lives. A lot of this is about loving yourself and loving your people. Sometimes there can be uncomfortable dissonance in non Jewish schools where your family values are not considered.
If we value having Yavneh for ourselves, we need to value it for everyone, and we all need to dig a little deeper and make it possible for all of our families to have this Jewish choice.
We need to be able to stand out from other schools. When we raise money for Yavneh, we ensure that it remains an enticing place to send your child. We want to compete with all of the schools and make Yavneh the best that it can be in every way – academically and socially, while continuing to offer a rich variety of choices for music, art, STEAM, and drama.
Tuition today covers only 70% of Yavneh’s expenses. The great majority of our expenses includes quality, highly educated staff, and our space in the beautiful Jewish Community Center. There is a gap between what people pay and what it costs to run the school. We need to appeal to everyone to do what they can to help us bridge this gap.
Having a Jewish space to educate our children is essential to our peace of mind. We know from current and past history that understanding our people and learning about who we are is the only way to ensure a Jewish future.
I feel very fortunate that my son and daughter-in-law met at Yavneh and that Yavneh is still a thriving institution. May it continue to go from strength to strength. If you value Yavneh as an enduring institution, please consider making a generous donation today.
