SUPPORT
SRAE

p

prorns, dress codes and the arts.
One of the ideas Jason brought back
from the conference was revising the
JAMD's block scheduling to allow for
shorter classes. He'd also like to help
form a governing body over all the
Jewish day schools in North America.
"Maybe we should have a national com-
munique or newsletter," he said.
Ariella, who is president of JAMD's
Tikkun Olam club, said she would be
interested in helping coordinate a char-
ity drive involving all NAAJHS
schools.
But the weekend included more than
serious discussion.
"I enjoyed spending the weekend at
Brandeis University, meeting the stu-
dents, seeing the campus," Jason said.
Among Ariella's favorite activities were
the Shabbaton and disco bowling.
The JAMD will host the next event
for multi-denominational day schools,
the first NAAJHS Shabbaton and Arts
and Athletics. Invitational, March 1-4
at Camp Maas in Ortonville.

in a meaningful way

JOIN WITH US ON

The Michigan Unity
Mission to Israel

January 14-19, 2001

❑

Top: Ariella Lis
Bottom: Jason Garden

Goldberg of West Bloomfield graduated
two years ago from Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington
Hills, and spent her freshman year at
West Bloomfield High School. "As a
day-school graduate, public school had a
lot to offer," she said. "But something
was missing. I missed the close family
atmosphere. I missed the Judaism."
Goldberg said being a pioneer and
creating a school was an opportunity she
could not pass up.
"The most common phrase we, as stu-
dents, are asked about the Jewish
Academy is, 'Is it fun to go to school
there?' We answer, 'Yes, it is fun, but
moreover, it is inspiring.'"
"I feel very, very good about how the
first year is going," said JAMD President
Robert Roth. "I expected the excitement
of opening day to dissipate. Instead, the
satisfaction level of all the key parties —
faculty, students and parents — has
stayed at a high peak."
The academy has begun the three-year
process for accreditation from ISACS
(Independent Schools Association of the
Central States). The organization has
accredited 32 independent schools in
Michigan. Locally, these include, but are
not limited to, Hillel Day School,
Cranbrook (Bloomfield Hills), Detroit
Country Day (Beverly Hills), Waldorf
(Detroit), Eton Academy (Birmingham)
and Roeper (Bloomfield Hills).

FEDERATION'S

Unique Role

"For some reason, this school reached
out to me more than anywhere else,"
said K'tanaw Schiff, a Hillel eighth-
grader who attended the open house
with her mother Pauline.
Pauline Schiff, who drove to West
Bloomfield from Belleville, said she
didn't expect to find a car pool to
JAMD. "But I'd already be driving my
other two to Hillel," she said.
Erin Gellis and her mother Gayle of
Bloomfield Township had heard about
the academy from their neighbors, the
Stiebels, whose daughter, Keren, is a
freshman.
"We're looking at other schools too,"
said Gayle Gellis. "I know I won't get
the statistics on who got into what
college here [at the open house], so I
need to talk to the teachers and
administrators."
Dana Rhodes, JAMD director of
recruitment, is on the front line when
it comes to answering questions about
the academy.
"Some people want to hear it's like
Cranbrook," she said. "Some people
want to hear it's not like Cranbrook."
In fact, the Jewish Academy was not
designed to replicate any other school
in Michigan. It is unique, Rhodes
said, and the students in these first few
classes have a historic opportunity to
determine its future. ❑

MISSION
MISSI*N

WITH A

$999 per person

includes air fare via El Al charter from Detroit,
hotel (double occupancy), all meals
and transportation in Israel

— SPACE IS LIMITED —

fie greater our numbers,
the stronger our messa i e

For information or to reserve your place,
contact Trudy Weiss at (248) 203-1485,
or e-mail trudyweiss@jfmd.org

Co-sponsored by

ril
m

T his is enieration

Visit us on the Web: www.thisisfederation.org

Ltz__J)

/e wish

of Hotopolion Detail

12/15

2000

11

