Head of School Blog
What is Institutional Advancement?
A Gesher supporter recently asked me to define ‘Institutional Advancement’ (IA). It’s a term referenced in many different settings and can take on different meanings depending on the organization. A quick Wiki look-up provides a broad definition: “the division of an institution focused on the improvement of the entity, primarily involved in fundraising activities. It […]
Growing Kehilat Gesher
By: Amy Pernick, Director of Admissions The late-winter and early-spring seasons are exceptionally busy times for the Gesher JDS admissions office as new applications are coming in, classroom visits for prospective students are scheduled and faculty are given the first opportunity to meet the new students eager to join our Kehilat Gesher (Gesher Community) next […]
Our community is exponentially greater than the sum of its parts – A Message from our Board President
Happy New Year, Gesher community! The beginning of a new year — indeed, a new decade — is naturally a time for reflection. The past year, as any, has had its share of highlights and challenges. For me and my family, 2019 ended on a high note. In early December, we celebrated my son’s Bar […]
Empowering students with skills for the 21st Century
During our VAIS accreditation self-study two years ago, the faculty collaborated to create an idealized portrait of a Gesher graduate. Our intention was to include the attributes and character traits we believe are necessary for our students to succeed in high school, college and beyond. Today, we expect our students to learn the skills […]
The Language of Belonging
This week we read the Torah portion that describes Noah’s Ark and the flood, which is a popular story most of us haven’t looked at closely since childhood. Another popular story from the same portion has to do with the Tower of Babel, which is traditionally read with the moral of the story: If you […]