At last week's Thanksgiving/Hanukkah concert, our Board president shared a few thoughts.  Please read below to see what he had to say.

On behalf of the Weizmann Board of Trustees, thank you, students for such a wonderful concert. You shine more brightly than the candles we light starting tonight.

Thanks to Wendy for putting together the concert, and staff for their total commitment to our students. And thank you to the hardest working Head of School I know.

Tonight we light the first candles of Hanukkah, representing the miracle of the oil that should only have lasted for 1 day but that lasted for 8 days.

Today we have much to be thankful for, and we are surrounded by Miracles. This year Weizmann celebrates 30 years of educating the students in our community with a focus on the Jewish values of respect, compassion, and academic achievement.  As the only Jewish Day school from Hollywood to Las Vegas Weizmann's existence is a miracle.  But it is not just surviving, Weizmann is thriving, having expanded to include a middle school which counted my son Jonas in its first graduating class, and the school has grown, preserving the attention to individuals which we each value but, growing to a more sustainable size.

But of course, this miracle is not an accident. Weizmann is here because each of you chose this Jewish Day School to nurture and educate your children. Every member of the Board will say that Weizmann is here because of our excellent head of school, Lisa Feldman, who is recognized throughout the Federation and nationally recognized for her leadership and her success. Weizmann is here because 30 years ago the founding members had a vision of a Jewish Day School for their children and their community. It is here because the community at PJTC hosts the school on this lovely campus at far below market rates for the rent. It is here because current and former parents and community members give their time and - critically - their money to keep the school thriving.  Most of the money of course comes from the parents in the form of tuition. But I remember when we first enrolled Jonas at Weizmann Lisa telling us that tuition does not cover the full cost of educating the students. Like nearly all schools, when the Board sets tuition each year the budget includes an amount to be raised for the Annual Fund. This year this amounts to a bit over $1500 per student. You are all about to receive a letter announcing this year's annual fund.  The Board has already committed over 20% of the annual fund target. 100% of the Board has pledged support, and 100% of the staff has pledged support (What a GIFT!)  Most of the rest must come from the families of our school, and we need 100% participation from our families to help us request money from the rest of the community.

Charitable giving should be a source of pleasure. I find it most meaningful to contribute to support education and Jewish organizations, so Weizmann fits that perfectly.  I know as a parent when you are writing tuition checks and being asked to support the Annual Fund it may not feel more like an obligation than a charitable gift, but I hope you can recognize the gift in your gift, and I don't just mean the tax deduction. From experience I can tell you that as an alumni parent I take satisfaction in paying forward the generosity of past donors, and I encourage you to see your annual fund as a gift to the community, a gift that I hope you will continue to make when you become alumni parents.

On Feb 8 we will celebrate the 30th anniversary with an event honoring Alan and Sandy Whitman and the past presidents of Weizmann for their longstanding commitments to the school. If you are able to give beyond the Annual Fund this is an excellent opportunity to recognize the people who have made and continue to make the Weizmann miracle possible. You should have received sponsorship information in the mail, but see me after if you have any questions.

The letter will also mention Weizmann's acceptance into Generations LA, a program dedicated to the establishment of Endowments to ensure the viability of Jewish Day Schools throughout the country in perpetuity. This is another opportunity to provide lasting support for Weizmann.

On behalf of the Board, thanks to all of you, the students, the staff, Lisa, our parents, and our supportive community. Enjoy this week of thanksgiving and the festival of lights. 

~Bill Klipstein