(I am overwhelmed with the incredible program and all that went into making it so spectacular. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Many have asked if I would post my speech...)
I rarely wait until the last minute to write my speeches for the school. But, as this is, perhaps, the last one I will make as Head of this school, I have taken my time in getting started. Taken my time in thinking about what I need to say.… taken my time in allowing the thoughts and feelings to rise to the top, the very thoughts and feelings that I have worked hard to keep beneath the surface since I decided it was time for me to end this long run South Area Schechter and I have had together. I don’t have much that is profound to say except that I am not the same person that I was when I first began to work here. Most of all, I hope that, after 22 years, this school reflects the values and connections I have strived to achieve.
I say I am not the same person but I am hoping that in some ways, I am playing out what I hoped would be true in my life.. When David and I got married almost 30 years ago, I chose to walk down the aisle to the song Lev Tahor Bara Li Elokim- God created me with a pure heart.. V’ruach Kodshecha, al tikach memeni.. And the spirit of your holiness.. do not take it away from me. At that time, I did not dream that I would be a part of creating this school and helping to make it what it is today, but I hope, with all my heart, that I ran this school, worked with the students, the parents, the teachers, the board members and the community, always, with a pure heart- and the spirit of holiness that I see as the essence of our work- the work… insuring the future of the Jewish people. Each child who has learned in our school is a part of our future (including my beloved 8th graders who are here today). Each morning when we woke up, all of us, we had an opportunity to instill that spirit in our school, in our children. And truthfully, as I have said before, it was my job to create a culture, but it is the many outstanding, talented, dedicated teachers and staff who have taken that vision and made it a reality. I am in awe of all that I see when I walk into the classrooms or when I have the honor of traveling with our 8th grade to Israel. Our students carry inside of them all of the gifts you, their teachers, have given them. Yes…We have done this work together.
I have so many hopes that will not go away for our school. Marc Medwed and I have worked together for two school years in a unique transition plan. I have been blessed with a board and with national organizations that believed that vision and culture can be transmitted and that time, energy, and reflection will make a difference in sustaining what we believe in as the core of our school even as the school grows and develops under new leadership. Marc has worked hard and will continue to work hard to insure that our school thrives without forgetting each individual student along the way. We have worked together (b’yachad) for a long time and it is almost time for me to hand over the leadership of our school.
In this room today are many of the colleagues that have sustained me, nourished my need for ongoing learning and development and taught me about leadership. Whether it is through DSLTI, the Day School Leadership Training Institute, one of my deepest loves, national Schechter, one on one coaching, CJP and the Day School Initiative and local colleagues, or the work I am already doing with my future colleagues at the Yeshiva University day school institute, I hope that each of you understands how deeply I appreciate what you teach me, what we learn together, and your friendships. We have been working to create a field and there is still so much to be done as our vision for day school education goes beyond any one school.
Over the years, I have been supported deeply by board members, community leaders, and friends who believe in our school and who have believed in me, in my (sort of out of the box) vision and philosophy, and my relentless effort to make this school the best it could be. You know who you are- many of you have worked on this event tonight. Our shared history with SASSDS was only the foundation- I am forever indebted to you and hope that our friendships go to new places. There are many people who have worked on this event and they have given of themselves in ways I probably do not even know the extent of. Ellen, Sandi and Sara, the beyachad chairs, and the development team as well as all of you who have shown your love behind the scenes….what you have done together is not only about all that has been, but also about all that can be- thank you.
I cannot tell you what it feels like to feel the trust and partnership I have had with so many parents over the years and into the present. I am looking out at a sea of you- I cherish you and the foundation of the school we built…through trust, partnership, and (of course) heart.
To all in my family who are here, thank you for caring about me and caring about our school. In this room today are my Boston family, whom I love and who support me in so many ways, my siblings and their spouses who are my siblings as well.. you know my bond with them. No one who knows me well could have imagined that I would give this speech without mentioning my brother, David, z’l. He has long been my inspiration and, in so many ways, he has directed me in understanding a certain kind of student. David is part of what makes my heart pure- every day of my life.
Perhaps my greatest role models of all time are here as well, thank God. My parents are beloved in so many ways, but the drive to make the world a better place and to sustain the Jewish people is at the core of all they do. If you have not met my parents, I hope you will today. We are so blessed to have them.
My husband, David, has been as much a part of this school as any volunteer ever. His wisdom, tenacity, and skills have been counted upon more times than I can remember. David’s support of this school is remarkable and I have never taken that for granted… David, for 22 years of giving, thank you. Sara and Rebecca grew up in our school and Mike, Sara’s fiancé, understands the place our school has in their hearts. We are blessed with our daughters who, in many ways, live and breathe the culture of our school.
So why is this event called b’yachad? Because together we have created this school, our school, and together, we can insure that our school is strong and vibrant- that we continue to earn the respect and trust of our community and that the children who go to our school are literate, dedicated, loving members of our Jewish communities. B’yachad…. That means all of us… from this moment on.
Lev Tahor Barah Li Elokim… God created me with a pure heart. Thank you for letting me work through my heart for all of these years.. V’ruach kodshechah, al tikach memeni.. And the spirit of Your holiness, don’t take it away from me. What is a better way to hold onto the spirit of Holiness than working with our children, in this school, our school?
Thank you for being here. Please continue to support our school- we need to keep doing this work together.
Jane Taubenfeld Cohen
Head of School
