I remember Emma’s first day of Kindergarten at Yavneh. I think I was more nervous than she was and, as we were still deep into the pandemic, drop-off looked a little different. Then, there were some YPA-sponsored events that my husband and I attended, where both parents and board members immediately greeted us with a warm welcome. The community at Yavneh put me at ease, and I am so happy my kids are attending a school where not only the parents, but the staff put their hearts into making it the warm and special place it is.
Jewish Youth has always been a passion for my family. I grew up watching my parents volunteer and remember my father chaperoning events, and in doing so, ensuring my teen peers could continue to have these experiences; or my mother gathering donated supplies and putting together emergency kits for earthquake awareness week at my school. Giving back to the Jewish community has always been ingrained in my family, and I feel lucky that it is important to my family now. And while I can’t attend every event, I do what I can when I can.
When I joined the board at Yavneh, I went in with the spirit of serving the Yavneh Community, and I see this same intent with all our current board members. From the Development Committee wanting to safeguard the financial future of the school, to the Strategic Planning Committee and their forward-thinking approach, ensuring Yavneh has the foundation it needs, to the Advancement Committee focusing on the success of current students, but also paving the way for future students and generations to come—it’s evident this community cares.
While I get the honor of serving on the board and attending YPA events, this year my husband chose to give back by signing up to help disassemble Yavneh’s Sukkah and to clean up at another spring event. We’ve chosen to participate in ways that work for our family and everyone gives as they can. Yavneh has a warmth like no other place, and I, again, feel fortunate to have this opportunity with and for my children. I no longer have the nerves I had that first day of kindergarten and immensely enjoy seeing parents gather in the lobby at drop off, even if it’s just to say hi and swiftly hop in cars to head off to work. I even look forward to the annual camping trip and consider myself a converted glamping individual (well mostly).
With the notion that everyone gives what they can, and realistically, we all have outside commitments and spend time sitting in traffic, attending to meetings, people, and other important obligations, I appreciate that I can join in ways that work for my family. Yavneh would not be the place it is today without our volunteers. At drop-off last Friday, in preparation for the Oneg, I saw parents and staff pushing carts of snacks and supplies as they readied for this communal gathering, and I couldn’t help but smile at the hustle and bustle. The snacks were not what was going to make the event; what I enjoyed was catching up with parents, some of whom are now dear friends, while my kids got to be with their friends, meet some new ones, and, most importantly, burn off some energy before we have our Shabbat dinner at home. This is my Y, and I look forward to continuing on the board, meeting new faces at events, and volunteering in ways that work for my family. When I speak to others in the local community about the school, I don’t just talk about the amazing STEAM program or the impressive music program that makes our Kabbalat Shabbats so inviting and joyful, but also of our community of parents I feel so fortunate to be part of.
I look forward to meeting more parents in the lobby, hallway, or at YPA-sponsored events, and am happy to talk to anyone, whether it’s about volunteer opportunities, swapping stories about our kids, answering questions, or just saying hi as I run to my car. I thank everyone for making Yavneh what it is today and I’d love to hear more about your Y.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jennifer
