CELEBRATE OUR Day Schools Resonate As head of Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit, I read Robert Sklar's Editor's Notebook "Beyond the Euphoria" (Oct. 15, page 5) with inter- est. It was no surprise to me that the esti- mated cost of sending a child to a day school through high school costs an estimated $200,000. The cost of edu- cating a child increases every year. At Hillel Day School, tuition does not cover the cost of educating each child. Our tuition has gone up each year, and yet Hillel remains at or below the national average for independent schools. Providing an outstanding Jewish and general education is a costly endeavor. As Mr. Sklar accurately reported, par- ents today not only want all that a day school can offer in teaching ethics and values, but also expect, and should receive, an education that is at least equal to, if not superior to, a public school education. At Hillel Day School, it is our mis- sion to deliver just that. Our MEAP scores verify that Hillel students per- form at, or better than, all of our sur- rounding school districts in math, sci- ence and language arts. Research in Jewish education indi- cates that a day school education is sec- ond to none in instilling Jewish identity. The United Jewish Communities Report on the National Jewish Population Survey 2000-01 reports, "In general, attendance at a day school seven years or more exerts the most powerful positive impact upon Jewish identity" It goes without saying that the frequency and intensity of a day school education provide students with the greatest Jewish knowledge and skill base. The Detroit Jewish community, under the leadership of the Jewish Federation, is one of the most giving and creative communities in the coun- try. It is incumbent that our leadership responds now to the increasing needs of day schools in our community. Our parents will send their children to day schools only if quality and excellence are assured and the costs are managed. Like the day schools in Boston, the Detroit area day schools also need sub- stantial funding for their internal opera- tions to create an even more vibrant learning environment.. We also all need to fund initiatives to reach out to the largely untapped Jewish families who have never considered sending their children to a Jewish day school. The time for us to act is now Steve Freedman Hillel Day School Farmington Hills Please join us at our first Annual Dinner HONORING BILL BERMAN NOVEMBER 10, 2004 • 6:00 P.M. CONGREGATION SH.\AREY ZEDEK The evening will include a strolling dinner, music, a dynamic video and a slide show of memories created from the generous response of our members. It will be a night filled with stories and memories as we relive our rich history and remember the times we have shared together. **- For more information; call Tobye Bello at 248-357-5544 Tickets: $118 each 27375 BE ROAD, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034 • 2.48-357-5544 4 248-3574)227 FAX New, Easy On-Line Donations "In honor of.." "In memory of.." Now you can make donations to the charity of your choice on-line! No stamps, envelopes or checks needed. Our on-line link will let you donate to many charities locally and abroad. It's safe, easy and secure. A beautiful acknowledgement card will be sent by mail to the recipient. Just log on to: www.detroitjewishnews.com or www.irakaufman.com and click on the Donations link. ernwrr nwsskrt, erti THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL What Quality Checked Certified Pre-Owned Means to You! • 115-Point Quality Check • 6 Year/75,000 Mile Power Train Limited Warranty QualityChecked Certified Pre - owned 4 02t4 • 24 Hour Roadside Assistance • Vehicle History Report Certified of Southfield for over 40 years `with approved credit WWW.AVISFORD.COM We Buy Clean CARS! 10/29 2004 11