ב׳׳ה

September 27, 2019
27 Elul, 5779

The new 2019-20 school year started with a great deal of enthusiasm. It was wonderful to hear student voices fill our halls once again, and to welcome back our fantastic community of faculty, families and friends.

As we prepare to usher in the Jewish New Year, we are presented with an opportunity for reflection on the year that has passed and on our goals for the year ahead. We want to make this coming year – the 2019-20 school year, and the Jewish year of 5780 – the best that it can possibly be, and to make the most of our year’s theme of Tradition and Innovation.

And this theme is so relevant as we start a new year with Rosh Hashana. In Hebrew, the phrase for a new year – “shana chadasha” – seems to be an oxymoron. “Chadasha” means new, but while “shana” means year, it shares a root with the word nishneit, something that is repeated over and over again. Is a “shana chadasha,” a new year, something new, or is it a repetition?

In truth, it is both. The yearly cycle has repeated over and over since time immemorial, but each revolution of it brings new opportunities and new experiences. So, too, with our theme for the year: our core framework of tradition ties us to a chain that goes back generations; and within that framework, we continue to innovate, to bring our students new ideas and new experiences, hand in hand with the traditions that are repeated.

Rosh Hashana calls upon us to reflect on both aspects of our shana chadasha, the old and the new. We reflect on the year that is behind us, and on the new one to come. As educators and parents, we all know the dramatic and incredible growth that children undergo over the course of a year – even though, from day to day, we typically don’t see any difference. We deeply value the privilege of being a part of these changes, of watching and guiding our students’ development from year to year.

We recognize the important roles played by our parents, teachers, and all school staff in working together to educate our children: to uphold our traditions and share exciting innovations. I want to take this opportunity, as we greet the new year of 5780, to express my gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you, for your commitment to our students and our school, and for the work you put in each day towards making this year a success.

On behalf of all our faculty and support staff,  We wish you and your families a Shana Tova!

,בברכת שנה טובה

Ora Shulman
Head of School