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Alumni News • Issue 7 • Summer 2019
On Sunday, April 14, 2019, we welcomed over 350 Brandeis community members back to our campus to celebrate 40 years of Brandeis in Marin. The evening was a wonderful reunion of former family members, teachers, administrators, students, and campus supporters. All attendees were thrilled to be back on campus to celebrate the school's 40th anniversary.
Guests were treated to a champagne Open House that consisted of tours of our school and the chance to speak with current faculty and staff members. Additionally, there was a fantastic happy hour outside in the Brandeis courtyard for many of our guests to reconnect and reminisce. When the doors to Hoytt Theater in the JCC opened at 6:30pm for the program, it was standing room only by the time everyone gathered.
The program of the evening focused on honoring professional and lay leaders who helped build and sustain our school. Mickey and Toni Golbus and Dennis and Paula Jaffe were honored for their lay leadership in envisioning and building the Marin campus of Brandeis Hillel Day School 40 years ago. Our beloved Kindergarten teacher, Marni Shapiro, was recognized and celebrated for her 40 years of service. Marty and Vanessa Friedman were honored for their transformative leadership, overseeing the transition to our new school, Brandeis Marin.
Our Board President (and alumni parent), Rose Barlow, and current Head of School, Dr. Peg Sandel, spoke about the history of our school, its many lasting impacts, and accomplishments over the last 40 years. Brandeis Marin is now thriving thanks to the support of our vast community and forward-thinking professional and lay leaders. The evening was a true compilation of good cheer, supportive community, wonderful friends, impactful educators, and 40 years of memories.
This newsletter is dedicated to sharing many of the highlights from our 40th anniversary celebration with our alumni network. It is full of wonderful photos and memories from the evening. Dr. Sandel's inspiring remarks that captured our school's 40 year history and exciting trajectory are also included.
Finally, we would like to thank the many sponsors, donors, volunteers, staff members, and community partners who helped create such a magical evening this past April and propel Brandeis Marin into its next, exciting chapter.
Warmly,
Becky Genet Fenster ('93)
Brandeis Marin Alumni Coordinator
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Dr. Peg Sandel
An Address to the Attendees of the 40th Birthday Celebration
April 14, 2019
It is inspiring to bear witness to the rich history of Brandeis in Marin. In celebration of our 40th anniversary event this past Spring, we honored extraordinary people whose vision, tireless efforts and dedication built and sustained our community over the past four decades.
Marni Shapiro has dedicated herself to educating our youngest students and building their confidence as learners. She represents the soul of education...Her vision for project based, child directed learning set the Brandeis kindergarten apart from all the rest. Today our school embraces project-based learning across all grades....raising up the next generation to take charge of their learning and move confidently into the future, grounded in timeless Jewish values. Mickey and Toni Golbus and Dennis and Paula Jaffe served as Board Presidents and literally realized a vision for our campus - which houses Brandeis Marin, as well as the Osher Marin JCC and Congregation Rodef Sholom. They worked to create a hub for Jewish life in Marin County by being home to a holistic approach to Jewish living, anchored by education, religion, culture, and wellness. Marty and Vanessa Friedman led a group of lay leaders that became known as the Marin Working Group who saw an opportunity for our school to chart a new course toward a bright future. Faced with serious questions about the future viability of this campus, Marty led the effort to establish our school as a stand alone independent Jewish day school.
As the inaugural Head of School of this "start up with a history," I was here to see how reinvigorated this campus became when it opened its doors on July 1, 2015 as Brandeis Marin, an independent Jewish day school. Let me tell you, this community is "all in" to help this campus thrive in this next chapter. Since 2015, we have more than doubled our fundraising through our annual campaign; we have steadily increased our enrollment in the school; our Middle School alone is poised to open its doors this fall with a record number of 90 students enrolled for the 2019-2020 school year! Our school has gained national attention for our forward thinking approach to Jewish learning. We will be featured as a case study in a book coming out next year about Jewish education in North America and we received two consecutive three-year grants from the nationally recognized Covenant Foundation to deepen our curriculum in technology, Jewish Studies and Israel education.
So much has changed in 40 years. Who could have imagined the world of 2019 in 1978? Yet, this is the task of schools. Education is about the future. What skills and mindsets will kids today need when they enter the workforce in 2040 or 2050? What will our world be like in 2060… 40 years from now? What is the meaning of this education? READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
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180 North San Pedro Road • San Rafael, CA • 94903
415-472-1833 • www.brandeismarin.org