Upon my return from my recent trip to Israel, I realized more than ever that Schechter Bergen is truly a symbol of hope and purpose in an often divided world. It is a place where children learn, grow, and discover what it means to be part of something greater than themselves. It is not just a school; it is a Kehillah (community), a family, and a dynamic representation of the Jewish story. Here, we strive to celebrate our Jewish diversity as a strength, teaching our students to embrace differences while finding unity in shared values, traditions, and love for our people. And this conviction was only deepened during my recent trip to Israel. 

Spending a week speaking with Israelis and traveling to several communities, I witnessed firsthand the power of unity among the diversity of our people. It has been over 15 months since the war in Gaza began, and yet the people of Israel remain resolute and united. Wherever I went, I saw Jews supporting one another—secular and religious, Sephardic and Ashkenazi, young and old. Despite their differences, they stood together, bound by a shared love for Israel and a deep commitment to its future.

One moment that struck me, as it always seems to always do, was on a Thursday afternoon in Machaneh Yehuda (Market). People from all walks of life—an Orthodox father, a secular shopkeeper, a young soldier, an elderly grandmother—exchanged the simple greeting, “Shabbat Shalom.” It didn’t matter how they observed Shabbat or even if they observed it at all. What mattered was the shared acknowledgment of something greater than the individual, something that united us and was a value to the Jewish people. That moment captured the essence of what it means to be Jewish: diverse yet united, rooted in tradition yet in many different ways.

Our school mirrors this reality. We are proudly the only “big tent” in our community where families from every background come together in a spirit of unity. Our children learn that being Jewish is not one thing—it is many things. They are exposed to the richness of our traditions and the vibrancy of our diversity, all while discovering their place in the larger Jewish story. This education is not just academic; it is deeply transformative. It equips our students with the tools to navigate a complex world while staying grounded in their identity and values.

Why is this so important? Because our children are growing up in a time when their identities will be challenged at every turn. They will face questions and complexities that demand a strong sense of self and a deep connection to their heritage. A Schechter Bergen education provides that foundation. It teaches children to think critically, respect others, and draw strength from their roots, seeing the world through a values laden Jewish lens. It prepares them to be leaders who can build bridges, stand strong in the face of adversity, and contribute meaningfully to the Jewish community and beyond.

This is not just about the present; it is about the future. Day school graduates are the future leaders of the Jewish people, here and in Israel. They are the ones who will sustain and live our values, our traditions, and our story. By investing in their education, we are investing in the future of the Jewish people. We are making a commitment to something priceless: the preservation and flourishing of our heritage and our people, right here in Bergen County and beyond.

I recognize that choosing a Jewish day school is no small decision. It requires a financial sacrifice and a commitment to prioritize something far greater than the material comforts money can buy. It challenges parents to ask themselves: Is this value—the nurturing of our children’s identity, the safeguarding of our heritage, and the preparation of future leaders—strong enough to make that sacrifice? I believe it is, and my wife and I did it. Day school graduates are the future of the Jewish people, both here in America and in Israel. They are the leaders who will carry our story forward with pride, resilience, and love.

As I reflect on my time in Israel, I am more convinced than ever of the importance of our school’s mission. The unity I witnessed in Israel— in all its diversity and sustained by our shared values—is exactly what we work to cultivate here. We teach our children to honor their differences, find commonality, and embrace their place in the broader Jewish narrative. We show them that they are part of something much greater than themselves - Schechter reflects the authentic tapestry of the Jewish people. 

To the families considering this path or rethinking the commitment, I ask: What is more valuable than giving your child a sense of identity, purpose, and belonging? What could be more important than preparing them to be leaders who will shape the future of the Jewish people? Yes, the financial sacrifice is real, but so is the return—a return measured not in dollars, but in the strength and continuity of our people and your own family’s legacy. 

The diversity, yet unity, I saw in Israel is who we are at Schechter Bergen and I believe more than ever that it is our super power. This is our strength. And this is the future we are building together. Let us celebrate our diversity- Orthodox, Conservative, reform, secular, Sephardic, Ashkenazi, South African, British, American, Israeli and enthusiastically embrace our commonality - our shared peoplehood, story, values, Hebrew language, land, and customs and  commit to raising a generation that will carry the torch of our people with pride, resilience, and love.