David Ellenhorn On How Jewish Day School Sets the Trajectory for Future Success

What is the impact of a Jewish day school education? Learn more about day school and Samis’ philanthropy in the Samis Voices video series! At Samis we know that through our investment in Jewish education “We are giving our community the gift of future leaders.”

Transcript

David:
There’s nothing better you can do for your children than give them a day school education. It gives them the academic grounding. It gives them comfort to walk in anywhere in the world and be part of that Jewish community, no matter where they are. And it gives them a grounding in values that they will take with them for the rest of their life.

Question: What impact do Jewish day schools have on academic achievement?

David:
They have an incredible academic achievement record of sending kids to Ivy League schools, the best schools in the country, and preparing them. I mean, my parents put me in day school by accident in the third grade. It served me at every level of my education, including when I graduated with honors from Georgetown Law. I mean, there is really nothing better you can do to prepare your kids for the academic rigors they’re going to need later and for handling life.

They become grounded in their Judaism. They become comfortable in their community. And that’s something that if you don’t start young, you don’t get it, and it’s a gift we can give all of our kids and grandkids.

Question: How does the Samis Foundation support students with scholarships?

David:
We underwrite and fund almost 100% of the scholarship needs of the school. We don’t want any Jewish child whose parents want them to have a day school education to be denied that because of cost.

Question: What overall impact does the Samis Foundation have on the Jewish community?

David:
We’re giving the community the gift of future leaders and people that really understand our community and our religion.