• News
$ 15 Million
Class Project
STEWART AIN
Special to The Jewish News
T
•
•
hey're spreading the wealth
for continuity.
An ambitious project to
create and expand Jewish
day schools across America has
received commitments of $15 million
— $1.5 million from each of 10 phil-
anthropists — over the next five years.
The project, called the Partnership
for Excellence in Jewish Education, is
the brainchild of philanthropist
Michael Steinhardt of New York.
Although he said he was not yet ready
to discuss the endeavor, which is due
to be announced in the coming weeks,
others familiar with it already are
praising its objective of serving as a
financial impetus to communities to
establish new day schools. It will also
encourage existing elementary day
schools to add a junior high.
Besides Steinhardt, the philan-
thropists are said to include Charles
and Edgar Bronfman, Mort Mandel,
Leslie Wexner and Charles .
Schusterman.
"It has a laudable goal and I sup-
port it," said Nathan Laufer, president
of the Wexner Heritage Foundation in
Manhattan, who emphasized the
importance of a day school education
in assuring a positive Jewish identity.
Rabbi Joshua Elkin, administrator
of the Solomon Schechter Day School
in Boston, will become the full-time
director of the Project. Rabbi Elkin
could not be reached for comment.
"He's a respeci ed school administra-
tor who will be looking all over the
country for model schools and excit-
ing projects to emulate," said a Jewish
leader.
The initiative, which has been orga-
nizing for the last year, will ask com-
munities or groups to apply for grants
of up to $500,000 each that will act as
seed money to start a Jewish day
school. Communities themselves will
decide the ideology of the school, be it
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or
nonch.nominational.
The value of a Jewish day school
education has been documented by
studies that have found adolescent
years "critical in Jewish identity forma-
tion," Laufer pointed out. "To give a
child a Jewish day school education
only until the age of 10 or 11 is sin,
an egregious error."
"Such schools are crucial for the
strengthening of the American Jewish
community," he added.
JOIN HADASSAH'S MIRACLE MISSION TO ISRAEL
MARCH 8-18, 1998
Whether you've been to Israel many times or you've never made the trip, 1998 is the time
MIRACLE PRICE
to visit the Jewish state in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
From the arts to ecology, economics to politics, Jewish education to healthcare, we've
designed a special Miracle Mission tour that's just right for you.
With plenty of exciting events that bring all I 7 of our special tours together, the Miracle
Mission is the perfect way to travel and explore, listen and learn, relax and rejoice with
your family and friends.
*Prices start at $1,998 per person (double occupancy) and includes round trip airfare, 8 nights at the Hyatt Regency,
Jerusalem, and plenty of fun, festivities, and fascinating excursions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL MOSAIC TOURS, INC.
LOOKING FORA VERY SPECIAL TOUR?
WHY
No-r...WINTER IN NETANYA
8 8 8 - 2 2 4 - 7 3 2 3
HA
DAS
SAH
For more information
on this or any of
our special tours
HADASSAH
THE WOMEN'S
ZIONIST
ORGANIZATION
1, 2 or 3 months in Israel
Call Hadassah Travel
Dec. 10, 1997 - Jan. 8, 1998 $2999 (p.p.d.o.)
Jan. 13 - March 11, 1998 $4149 (p.p.d.o.)
800-363-2373 or
50 WEST 58TH STREET
Fax 212-303-8159
NEWYORK, NEWYORK 10019
OF AMERICA, INC.
• BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS
• GRAB BARS & ACCESSORIES
• DOOR WAYS
• RAMPS
• WE CAN Do SIMPLE
MODIFICATIONS To YOUR HOME
To MAKE LIFE EASIER
The above pictured ramp is portable and may be disassembled.
We provide custom installation and adjust the incline to agency
recommendations.
Authorized D.M.E. Supplier For American
Cancer Society of S.E. Michigan
FREE in Home Estimates
Licensed Contractors • Fully Insured and Licensed
— New York Jewish Week
Toll Free (888) 337-1122
we:0, WhIREMAREOMMAIMITAREENIMISIMMISMIRMEISMINAISE,
amonam-kmayew. ss..mmutam\w,
N
1997
61