Board of Trustees

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The members of the Board of Trustees are committed to ensuring that JCDS continues to provide a superior and affordable education.

The Board of Trustees has the responsibility and authority to govern the School's affairs, including:

• Establishing and fulfilling the School's mission and policies
• Selecting and retaining the Head of School
• Protecting and strengthening the School's current and long-term programmatic assets
• Providing for the School's current and long-term financial integrity, including principal responsibility for setting annual budgets, fundraising and establishing investment policies
• Maintaining sound relationships with all constituencies of the School

The Board of Trustees is comprised of a wide cross-section of the school and community that is appropriate for the pluralistic nature of JCDS.

Board of Trustees 2019-2020

Name	Other organizations you are involved with:	Why do you support JCDS?
Marci Borenstein, P '18, '20, '22		I support JCDS because it is a school where children thrive academically, socially and emotionally, knowing they are truly loved and seen for who they are.
Claudia Davidoff	CJP, Harvard Hillel, MIT Hillel, Cambridge Health Alliance, Rabin Medical Center, Israel Museum	I believe that JCDS helps kids develop a love of learning and character. Being in a non-judgmental but value-rich environment, they learn respect for diversity.
Galit Div, P '25, '27		JCDS is a special place. I appreciate the way JCDS instills values and habits of heart and mind in their children and the way these values play out explicitly in all studies, becoming part of the natural language of their kids.
Gary Elovitz, P '06, '13
Fiona Epstein, Clerk	JCC, TBZ Brookline	JCDS integrates 21st century learning across all intelligences, Jewish and secular areas preparing the leaders and citizens of the future.
Robert Fein, GP '25	Co-founder and former VP of Development, Gann Academy. Former Board Member, VP of Finance and VP of Development, Gateways.	I stand on the shoulders of a giant, my father-in-law, Mervin Gray (z'l). He taught me the importance of respect, inclusion and concern for Klal Yisrael - a core part of the JCDS mission. I also serve in memory of our m'chutenet, Yaffa Korinow (z'l), who loved JCDS with her heart and soul.
Rachel Fish, President, P '23, '27, '28	Next Gen Board (Grinspoon Foundation), Board member of Association for Israel Studies, Youth Sports in Waltham	One of the many strengths of JCDS is its emphasis on, and investment in, the learning process. Teaching our children to learn and appreciate the growth and process of learning—and not only focus on the outcome—is essential at JCDS. Our children experience the educational journey in a profound way with the support and aid of talented educators at JCDS.
Joshua Foer, P'27	Co-founder and Chairman, Sefaria; Board of Directors, Jim Joseph Foundation	I love JCDS for its balance of haimish soulfulness and profound ambition. Our students are mastering the soft skills that will help them lead lives of fulfillment while being inculcated with a sense of purpose that will help them change the world.
Joshua Gann, P '16, '19, '24
Sophie Gildesgame '06	Women's Lunch Place, Youth Enrichment Services	As an alumna, serving on the Board of Trustees has given me the opportunity to gain perspective on the immense amount of work that goes into building and sustaining the community that I grew up in. I'm excited to find new ways for our graduates to stay involved in the community and to continue to integrate JCDS values into our lives.
Nathan Hayman, Treasurer, P '20, '22, '25	n/a	JCDS teaches students how to think, not what to think. That helps them develop their own Jewish and academic identities in ways that will benefit them throughout their lifetime.
Sari Korman, P '11, '21	CJP, Beacon Academy	Growth mindset in a warm, pluralistic Jewish school is a winning combination. This is a school that serves diverse families and brings together a wonderful community of learners!
Sharon Levin, P '15, '18, '21
Abe Menzin, P '18, '20,'22, '25	Urban Land Institute, CJP	JCDS is not in the mold of the classic Jewish Day School framework. It's more innovative and more pluralistic than other schools—it can be more independent.
Howie Rodenstein	Israel Ride, Friends of the Arava Institute, Hazon	Today's Jewish day school students are tomorrow's Jewish Community leaders.
Rafaella Sadun, P'23, 26	N/A	I believe in the mission of JCDS and I am fully supportive of their educational approach, in particular the fact that kids are accepted and celebrated for who they are, and encouraged to give their best for their community.
Shiri Segev, P '11, '22		JCDS is more than a Jewish School, it is a warm environment for children to grow and learn to think, it is a community for diverse families, and it is a safe place to explore your Jewish beliefs and values. Most importantly, JCDS produces graduates who are mensches and life long learners.
Adam Shyevitch, P '15, '18	New Israel Fund, Keshet, J-Street, Partners in Health, Planned Parenthood.	I support JCDS because a pluralistic Jewish education is a great way to cultivate a strong personal identity and a values-driven, open-hearted life.
Elizabeth Waksman, P '19, '26	Camp Ramah in New England, Newton Centre Minyan, Gann Academy	JCDS' intentional pluralism prepares students for positive engagement with all branches of Judaism and for the diversity of the community at large.
Arnee R. Winshall, Founding Chair	Hebrew at the Center, RAVSAK, PJ Library, The Grinspoon Foundation, JEDLAB, Foundation for Jewish Camp, Temple Aliyah, Yiddish Book Center, MISTI, Hebrew College	I continue to be inspired every day by the staff, the families, the students, and the leadership's living out the school's mission engaging intentionally in being a warm, welcoming pluralist, joyful and learning community.