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tHE sCHECHTER dIFFERENCE - BY sHAY gINZBURG
Hello Schechter families! My name is Shay Ginzburg, and I am a rising senior who has attended Schechter since kindergarten. I am ecstatic to be a part of your transition into this community. The people in this environment are remarkable; they are reliable, passionate, trustworthy, and genuine. Being able to come to school here every day is a blessing--I get to feel held in a time when everything around me is changing. And that’s priceless. But it’s not only when I am in school that I feel the warmth of the administration and student body.
Soon, I will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of my Bat Mitzvah. My Bat Mitzvah was supposed to be perfect; I had planned to celebrate in a temple in St. Thomas in a synagogue with a floor made of sand. But when there was a massive COVID outbreak two days before we were set to leave, I understood it was no longer safe to go. With 48 hours until my special day, and absolutely nothing guaranteed besides my periwinkle dress, the only thing we could think to do was call the principal, Ofra Hiltzik.
“Boohbahleh,” she said sincerely, “we will handle it. There is nothing to worry about.” Like the fairy godmothers, teachers from school stopped their summer vacations to help me. Ms. Stern, my elementary school music teacher, drove from out East to bring a Havdalah set to my front door. Morah Becky, my middle school Bible teacher, went all the way to school to roll the Torah to my portion. Ofra rounded up enough siddurim for my entire family. My two best friends from school called me up for my Aliyah. And I, leaning on my Schechter education, led the entire service on my own in my backyard.
This short story of mine goes to show three things: one, the faculty at this school are willing to go above and beyond for their students; two, the friendships founded on Jewish values formed at this school will last you through all of life’s twists and turns; and three, this school is so much more than a place to learn--it is a place to love.
I am eternally grateful for the people who have given me so many schechter blessings. Attending this school has given me a second family. I know I can not only rely on them but also on the person they have taught me to be. The values they exhibit through example have shaped me and my brothers into the young adults we are today, and we wouldn’t change it for the world. Just as those teachers did not hesitate to help me, this community will never hesitate to help you. With that, welcome to our Schechter family!
The Book of Proverbs says, “Teach a child according to their way.”
At SSLI, this principle is at the core of everything we do, and our students thrive and develop rich relationships because of it. Whether your child needs enrichment opportunities, extra attention before or after class, or just a supportive group of friends who will help him or her thrive, Schechter is the kind of nurturing and loving community where every child can succeed.