PJA Donor Newsletter Winter 2026

PORTLAND JEWISH ACADEMY

At the Schnitzer Family Campus | Think for yourself. Work for the world. Winter 2026, 5786 | Exclusive updates for our donors and supporters.

Community in Motion: Highlights From Our Fall Kehillah

PJA Kehillah, our school’s parents’ association, settled into the year with a lot of energy. Early sports meetups gave families a low-key way to reconnect after summer, and those simple gatherings reminded us how much people value being together in ways that fit real life: short, flexible, and welcoming to all ages.

We were excited to kickoff our new community art project. If you’ve walked past the colorful planters outside PJA, you’ve seen the results: students, parents, and siblings painting sideby-side, leaving their mark, (literally) on the campus. We’ll be inviting families to continue the project this spring.

Our holiday gatherings added their own spark. The much-loved Sukkah Hop brought together eight hosting families. Even the Cross Country team rerouted their run to visit two sukkot, a moment that captures the mix of spontaneity and connection our community is known for!

Kabbalat Shabbat Kibbitzes have given parents a chance to connect, nosh, and even learn more about what their kids are up to in their mishpachot (buddy families). Class reps have been busy, too, strengthening class communities and coordinating teacher appreciation efforts. Together, the Kehillah contributed over $1,800 to Jewish Family & Child Services.

We’re just getting started. This spring brings more chances to connect: Mishloach Manot (gift baskets) at Purim, Israeli-infused holiday celebrations like Lag B’Omer, and community outings to cheer on the Blazers and Rip City Remix. We’re listening to parents, responding to what matters, and continuing to build a community where families feel at home. One gathering, one conversation, one shared experience at a time. Interested in getting involved? Contact: kehillah@pjaproud.org.

PJA Family Camp 2025: A Weekend of Community, Adventure, and Jewish Joy

“All of my friends are right here!” exclaims grade 2’s Avi S-W.

Just before the rainy season settled in for the fall, 31 PJA families, with students ranging from preschool through middle school, descended on Camp Solomon Schechter for PJA’s 5th (nearly annual) family camp weekend. PJA Family Camp is an opportunity to connect with our school kehillah (community) over shared meals, aquatic adventures, hikes, games, and Gaga. Staff and volunteers led programming throughout the weekend, including challah braiding for Shabbat dinner, a Bog Jog, Moms’ Hike, Gaga, and skit-in-a-bag improv on an amphitheater stage. And it was a special treat to have PJA alum Zach Snyder (Class of 2006) at camp for the weekend. Zach is now a Seattle-based mental health professional who works with Camp Solomon Schechter in the summer supporting their camper care team.

Still, much of the camp magic came from the joy of a weekend-long playdate with classmates and friends. Gaggles of kids shrieked with excitement as their friends drove down the gravelly road to family cabins, then tore off to play amidst the trees. Camp Solomon Schechter, near Olympia, Washington, boasts some amazing trail systems through woods, overlooking the “lesser” Deschutes River, and through a bog. Campers also tested

their balance and cooperation on a low ropes course and got to take a thrill ride on a treetop swing. Throughout the weekend, kids delighted themselves, (and their parents) by trying new adventures - going out in a boat, supervised but independent, or climbing onstage to lead campfire songs.

Family Camp weekend shifts every year, depending on the availability of Camp Solomon Schechter and BB Camp, and the fall Jewish holiday schedule. This year, the camp weekend fell right between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Adult and youth campers were able to take a breath of fresh air, step away from the pressures of work and home life, and feel the sacredness of sharing ancient rituals with family and friends in a gorgeous corner of the region. Planning is already underway for PJA Family Camp 2026.

JOIN US OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND FOR NEXT YEAR'S FAMILY CAMP

September 4-6, 2026 B'nai B'rith Camp

Alumni Panelists Share High School Wisdom with PJA Middle Schoolers

On November 5, PJA hosted its annual High School Information Night, welcoming several alumni back to campus to speak with current middle schoolers about their transition from PJA to high school. The evening offered families a candid look at what the next chapter can feel like - academically, socially, and personally.

This year’s panel included Charlie Rothenberg, sophomore at Oregon Episcopal School, Sydney Rosenberg, junior at St. Mary’s Academy, Louisa Way, senior at Ida B. Wells H.S., Leo McDermid-Grupp, sophomore at Lincoln H.S., Koko Rose, sophomore at Lincoln H.S., Roger Veneklase, sophomore at Grant H.S., and Reuben Harper, sophomore at Beaverton H.S. Each student shared firsthand experiences about adapting to new expectations, building community, and carrying forward the confidence and skills they developed at PJA.

The alumni overwhelmingly agree that the first two years of high school academic rigor is no match for the preparation they have at PJA.

“PJA really taught me how to talk to teachers and to seek them out. When they see you advocating for yourself, they are much more likely to support you, especially since they have a lot of students they work with,” Leo noted, to much agreement.

“Learning to get involved in extracurricular activities, and seek out those groups makes the difference in having friends when the school year starts freshman year,” Roger reflected.

Current PJA students and parents were equally appreciative. Parents voiced that it helped to hear students say that there are many avenues for support, and that the expectation is to be more hands-off to allow space for their students to begin to fly on their own. Families left the event with practical insights, reassurance, and a clearer sense of what lies ahead. This was anchored in honest, supportive voices of PJA graduates who once sat in the same seats.

Thank you to our newsletter contributors

Steve Albert | Sean Bartlett | Richard Boyd | Bess Butterworth | Nicolas Chapin

Angelica Evans | Becky Ewer | Sarah Glass | Arielle Goranson | Merrill Hendin | Lisa Katon | Amy Katz

Kim Krikorian | Carly Landau | Colleen Morrissey | Lexie Quandt | Elizabeth Rice | Matt Rosenberg

Eden Samiee | Karen Sapoznikow | Emily Saxton | Adam Zappa | Mark Zeitzer

Fall Sports Wrap-Up

5th/6th Grade Basketball

The 5th/6th basketball team had an incredibly successful season. We focused on improving our student-athletes' individual skills, while encouraging them to build and grow as a team for this season and years to come. Numerous coaches and parents from opposing teams have approached our staff after games and commented on how our Dragons compete hard while always exhibiting the highest level of sportsmanship. Whether in victory or defeat, at home or away, PJA Dragons always strive to fulfill our team motto to "Play Like a Mensch."

Cross Country

What an incredible season for the PJA Dragons! This year, we had 13 dedicated teammates representing grades four through eight. The team practiced every Tuesday and Thursday after school, building strength, endurance, and team spirit. Over the season, PJA team members ran in four meets, and together logged an amazing 409.8 miles, that’s 34.15 miles per runner from the start of school through the end of October!

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

MCL 3K Middle School JV Championship (co-ed race, placements separated by boys and girls)

Fiona K. (5th Grade) 4th place girls. 16:50.5

Laya H. (4th Grade) 6th place. 16:51.2

Lev A. (5th Grade) 4th place boys. 13:44

Henry C. (5th Grade) 19th place boys. 15:28.1

The Dragons crushed countless personal records (PRs) and showed what hard work and teamwork can achieve. Every runner supported one another, and the energy at practices and meets was inspiring. Most importantly, the runners had tons of fun while pushing themselves to new limits.

Thank you to everyone who made this season possible: coaches (Jen Gates, Jordan Rice, and Mark Zeitzer), families (official support staff - Naomi Harwin and Michelle Kashinsky), and of course, our incredible runners. We can’t wait to see what next year brings! 7th/8th basketball begins in January. Come out and support our Dragons at home games!

Go Dragons!

PJA Afterschool Engages Families

The Afterschool Department has been filled with warmth, connection, and community spirit! Over the past month, each of our Afterschool programs hosted their own family engagement event, giving students and their grown-ups a chance to meet other families and get to know our afterschool staff a little better.

PJA Afterschool at Odyssey kicked things off with a festive Potluck and Craft Night. Students had the chance to share a dish that was significant to their family’s culture and traditions. The room was filled with creativity as families worked on beaded rainbow corn, a showstopping centerpiece for any holiday dinnerscape!

At Kidscorner, families brought dishes to share as students led the way for a Drawing Night, guiding their families in imaginative prompts. Program Coordinator, Joni Mueller, was inspired by a local podcast called Line Time. It was so fun to see what the kids came up with, and to see how each person interpreted the prompts in a unique way.

Kidspace at Forest Park welcomed families for a lively Cookie Swap, where families traded homemade treats, swapped recipes, and filled the room with the delicious scent of baked goods. Kidspace’s Program Coordinator, Lindsey Smith, had the students build a Gratitude Tree, where each leaf shared a thoughtful sentiment from a student about what they were thankful for this holiday season.

Finally, Kidzone at Glencoe Elementary rounded out the series with a cozy Game Share and Hot Chocolate Night, complete with board games, friendly competition, and warm mugs in hand, a perfect recipe for connection.

Across all four events, one theme shone through: community. It was wonderful to see families meet, mingle, and discover more about the spaces where their children learn, play, and grow each afternoon.

A Week of Small Miracles: Celebrating Hanukkah Together

One of the most joyful weeks of the 2025-2026 school year was our Hanukkah week. It’s been several years since our school kehillah (community) was together for all of Hanukkah, and this year it was extra important that we find comfort, strength, and joy through our many celebrations. On Monday morning (the first full day of Hanukkah), we gathered in our age-group cohorts for tefilah (prayer), and we took a moment to acknowledge and commemorate the sadness of the moment in light of the horrific terror attack during Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Australia. Our students showed curiosity, empathy, and strength as we sang and prayed together, vowing to dedicate some of our Hanukkah celebrations in honor of those who had lost their lives.

From a stellar performance by our Kindergarten of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, to our student-led middle school Hanukkah Olympics, our celebrations were infused with joy and meaning. Students studied in hevrutah (partnership) to unpack the deeper meaning of Hanukkah, all while learning songs, frying

latkes, playing dreidel, and creating small miracles by decorating the classroom doors of their buddy classes. Each afternoon the entire school gathered together in our lobby to light candles and sing together, all of us reveling in the beauty of our community, none of us taking this sacred moment for granted.

At the end of the week, our eighth-grade students asked the younger students in their mishpacha (our mixed age family groups) “how do you bring more light to this world?” Students mentioned how they were caring friends, helped out at home, gave amazing hugs, and were excellent older (and younger!) siblings. Our students bring light to the world with their empathy, creativity, spirit, responsibility, and strong sense of community. At our all-school Kabbalat Shabbat gathering, we sang the words from Zechariah (4:6) which are part of the Haftorah read on Shabbat during Hanukkah: “Not by might, and not by power, but by spirit alone, shall we all live in peace.” What a blessing it was to live those words with our PJA students this past Hanukkah.

Navigating the Conversation: Israel Education at PJA

At PJA, we believe in the importance of engaging in complex, essential conversations regarding Israel. Since October 2023, navigating these discussions has required immense care. Our goal remains steadfast: to foster a deep love and support for Israel while providing accurate information and acknowledging the profound pain and suffering within the region.

In November 2025, thanks to the generosity of the Leonard & Lois Schnitzer Charitable Supporting Foundation of OJCF, PJA was honored to welcome Sivan Zakai to PJA. Sivan Zakai is a scholar, teacher educator, and educational consultant. Her work focuses primarily on Israel education in North America. Sivan serves as the Sara S. Lee Professor of Jewish Education at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. In addition to directing the Children’s Learning About Israel Project and co-directing both Project ORLIE: Research and Leadership in Israel Education and the Learning and Teaching about What Matters Project, Sivan serves as a member of the faculty at the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute. Her books include My Second-Favorite Country: How American Jewish Children Think about Israel and Teaching Israel: Studies of Pedagogy from the Field.

The primary goal of Sivan Zakai’s visit to PJA was to work with teachers and administrators on norms for conversation about Israel education. Sivan’s work with faculty and staff also centers on the articulation of PJA’s vision for Israel education. Parents/guardians were invited to a conversation with Sivan Zakai, at which they were welcomed to participate in a discussion about her work and learn more about her research regarding students’ understandings, expectations, and hopes for their own Israel education.

To this end, Sivan conducted sessions with teachers and administrators at which she presented different examples of conversational norms. These were engaging conversations at which teachers felt supported to share their thoughts and concerns. Next steps in this work include the formation of a smaller working group to unpack our work with Sivan, in addition to looking at data from a survey sent to all families, faculty and staff, and board members, regarding Israel education at PJA.

The day with Sivan was thoughtful and informative and gave us a sense of the “why” of this important work. We are most grateful to have had the time with Sivan to learn with and from her, and to be able to further focus on our Israel education work.

Donate from your BottleDrop account balance or support PJA with BottleDrop Give Blue Bags. Pick up the bags from Kim Krikorian or Richard Boyd.

Support PJA's Early Childhood Program or the 8th Grade Israel trip.

PJA’s 2025 Auction Was Out of This World!

On Sunday, December 7th, 250 of our closest friends gathered at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center to celebrate Portland Jewish Academy and ensure its financial success. We are delighted to announce that we raised $740,000 to support all PJA students, with nearly all of these funds allocated to tuition assistance.

The intergalactic theme brought out lots of creativity, with costumes ranging from aliens to black holes, and Pigs in Space to NASA astronauts. The grand prize for the costume contest went to a group of five representing ET…from the alien himself to the movie's director, Steven Spielberg. Congrats to the winning crew of Elizabeth and Jordan Rice, Christina Kramer and Sammy Fischer, and Diane Bozak!

The night began with the traditional silent auction, which filled the gym with nearly 100 silent auction items all donated by local businesses and generous PJA parents and alumni. New this year was a “Plinko-style” wall of wine, beer, and spirits. A giant UFO took up the center of the room, while enticing auction items filled the rest. After the last bids were made, guests proceeded to the lobby where they were treated to latkes, fried chicken and other delicious dishes, expertly prepared by Allen Levin and our friends at Century Catering.

Once in the ballroom, beloved event co-hosts, Ian Lindsay and Josh Kashinsky, kept the crowd entertained with games and the live auction, featuring everything from coastal and mountain getaways to a dazzling yellow sapphire necklace and a cocktail party at Mother’s Bistro. New this year were fifty-four, $54 “mystery boxes” that sold out in a flash! The winner opened their box to reveal a spaceship, indicating they were the winners of a coveted reserved parking spot for a full year! Congrats to PJA parents Ben and Avital O’Glasser on the big win! Guests were also treated to a moving video featuring several PJA Proud members of the community, including the Shukla sisters, Jordana Loughran and Arielle Goranson, PJA alumnae and current parents.

Prior to the costume contest, was the final opportunity for attendees to show their love for PJA by making a Mitzvah Moment gift. PJA guests held their auction numbers high and proud at levels ranging from $72 to $50,000. Each and every one of these gifts, as well as the 95 sponsorships that came in beforehand, were matched, dollar for dollar, by the Jay and Diane Zidell Charitable Foundation. PJA truly would not be the stellar school it is without their boundless generosity.

Todah Rabah to the Zidells and to everyone who made PJA's 2025 Auction an astronomical success!

July 6 - 31 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Age 4: PJA Aftercare 1:00 - 5:30 pm

Ages 5+: Spend the afternoon with MJCC

Extended Day: 1:00 - 4:00 pm

After-Care: 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Alumni Spotlight:

Nicolas Chapin, PJA Class of 2021

How long did you attend PJA? What are your fondest memories of your time as a PJA student?

I attended PJA for the entirety of middle school. One of my favorite spaces in PJA was the Learning Commons. I would skim through books and have wonderful conversations with librarian Molly Sloan, who is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. I also remember the writing club with Ms. Harriet, writing poems, doing fun exercises, and drinking tea. She shaped my love of words and writing. I also learned so much in science with Ms. Morton. Her lessons and labs more than prepared me for high school and even college science. I always had the biggest smiles in my Jewish Studies classes. PJA’s teachers are its gems, and its students grow tremendously because of it.

What are you doing currently?

I am currently attending University College Utrecht in the Netherlands for my bachelor’s degree. I also teach martial arts and music lessons on weekends, performing in concerts whenever I can. Recently, I’ve been really interested in human geography, political science, psychology, and Native American history.

Describe your life/educational path after PJA. After PJA, I attended Northwest Academy. PJA more than prepared me academically for high school. I was able to take classes in philosophy, anthropology, psychology, and even painting, print-making, and photography. In high school, I studied for five different AP exams on my own, since my school did not offer AP classes, and participated in extracurricular activities like music, martial arts, and theatre.

From there, I got accepted into my first choice college, University College Utrecht. Living and studying in the Netherlands has been an exciting transition. It is an extraordinarily international environment, and I am around people from every corner of the world everyday.

Can you share with us how your PJA education shaped you into the person you are today?

PJA taught me an openness to new perspectives, and a deep love of learning that makes long nights of studying seem like an adventure. Having teachers who are there to support you in your learning, at every step of the journey, shapes and forges a healthy relationship to learning. Instead of seeing schoolwork as a chore, it becomes fun, interesting, and satiates our innate natural

curiosity. The empathy and kindness I picked up at PJA has also shaped me as a person. The ability and desire to step into the shoes of others, metaphorically speaking, is integral to connecting with others and understanding their ideas.

Any advice you have for current PJA students? Any gratitude you’d like to share with a teacher/staff member or the school in general?

I would advise current PJA students to develop their love of learning. Especially in Middle School, being scared about grades is far less important than simply having fun learning, and with a little focus, and a teaspoon of elbow grease, the grades will come naturally. Be curious and discover what you love to do and learn about. Additionally, figuring out how you learn as an individual is helpful. My last piece of advice is to remember that you will be okay. This was advice from Ms. Morton. If you are struggling with learning a certain concept, you will be okay. The key is to keep your love of learning alive and don’t give up! Without mistakes, you cannot improve.

I am so grateful to everything I learned during my time at PJA and all its amazing teachers and staff. For all the reasons above, they have shaped me into the person I am today and have allowed me to pursue my dreams.

Are you a PJA alum?

Share photos and updates with us at pjaproud.org/alumni

Shining Bright: Celebrating Belonging

and Big Achievements in Early Childhood

Wintertime has been full of big accomplishments in the Early Childhood Program. We developed deep, caring connections with our teachers at PJA. We celebrated being able to sit up and eat solids for the first time, and we cheered for children taking their first steps and for those who have said goodbye to diapers. There is so much to celebrate when it comes to feeling like you belong in your community, collaborating with another person, and saying words that others can understand.

During this time we have also been learning about Hanukkah. During the holiday, our hallway was filled with class contributions of large paper lanterns. Even though they don’t light up, it serves as a reminder of the light that each child brings to our program. “A little light dispels much darkness,” as the popular saying attributed to Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi goes. Even the quietest moment of courage can push back overwhelming odds, just as the Maccabees once did.

In December, classes invited families to join in games of dreidel with the children. Some classes had families helping out with special art activities or making latkes. Food traditions add another layer of sensory learning. Making latkes or tasting foods cooked in oil opens conversations about family customs and gratitude. Art activities, such as decorating a Hanukkiah, painting with gold and blue, or patterning candles, encourage creativity while reinforcing cognitive development.

Most importantly, Hanukkah in early childhood is about nurturing feelings of joy, belonging, and pride. By focusing on light, kindness, and togetherness, educators and families help children build a positive emotional connection to Jewish life, one that can continue to shine long after the candles are extinguished.

Highlighting Two Capstones for a Cause

Two students kicked off their capstone service projects this past December. Capstone is a culminating, year-long project in which 8th grade students identify a community need, research its background, and design a meaningful service initiative that addresses it. Capstone allows our students to live our school's mission and middot (values), as they think for themselves and work for the world.

On the first day of Hanukkah, Piper T. hosted a bake sale during afternoon carpool, which helped make Hanukkah even sweeter for our families, and allowed them to support a great cause. Piper organized a crew of bakers on a Sunday afternoon to bake in the PJA kitchen to ensure all treats were kosher, and then sold her delicious cupcakes, brownies, and hot chocolate to an eager group of students and families. All proceeds from Piper’s bake sale will go to Alcoholics Anonymous.

George S. created a wish list on Amazon to pack hygiene kits which will be distributed to Portland’s Blanchet House to support people experiencing houselessness. George shared his wishlist with the PJA community, who came through in droves, ordering chapstick, handwarmers, socks, and more! On the Wednesday of Hanukkah, George led middle school students in a “packing party” and then delivered 75 fully equipped hygiene kits to Blanchet House.

Yasher Koach (may you go forward in strength), Piper and George!

Ask the Expert: Sean Bartlett, Social

Emotional Learning & Garden Educator

Q: How does SEL (social-emotional learning) fit into PJA’s overall mission and daily schedule?

A: Social-emotional learning is taught intentionally and is blended into all of the work we do with students. Our kindergarten through 6th grade students receive weekly instruction in four specific units through our SEL curriculum, Second Step: Growth Mindset & Goal Setting, Emotion Management, Empathy & Kindness, and Problem Solving. Each content area is delivered in a developmentally appropriate way to proactively teach the skills that can help students successfully navigate their world. The themes of each unit are revisited each school year, building on the instruction and growth from the previous year. This program is designed to increase academic perseverance, prosocial behavior, positive relationships, and an overall positive school climate. Teachers frontload the school year with this specifically designed curriculum to build a set of common language, practice, and skills around solving problems, among other topics. They practice the skills in real time throughout the year and reinforce it with supplemental materials and values-based learning.

In addition to Second Step, PJA faculty, staff, and administration align practices with our schools mission and middot (values). PJA’s mission states that we provide a “values-based education that supports the social, emotional, and spiritual growth of children.” Our students experience this most frequently through the middot. They are reminded to show respect in the way they act and words they use. Students are challenged to take responsibility for the world they live in now and want to create for the future. Each child is celebrated in their own unique identity, while learning about the identities of others with Jewish identity at the center of our work. PJA fosters an environment where students show appreciation to their teachers, families, and peers by celebrating their accomplishments. We study academics, but also emotions and interpersonal skills. The driving force behind all of this work is that we are a community. Being in a diverse and joyful community requires us all to do the good work of social-emotional learning.

PJA Mini-Grants Help Fund Tikkun Olam Projects

In the past month alone, we have received three new applications to the Noam Stampfer Gemilut Chasadim Fund. All have come from current 8th graders as they work to design and carry out their Capstone Projects.

The Noam Stampfer Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness) Fund isn’t just limited to Capstone Projects, however. It was established in 2013 to give PJA 8th graders and alumni the opportunity to receive “mini-grants” for service projects. In the past, the Fund has supported:

• construction materials to build a portable sukkah;

• a field trip to the Mercy Corps Action Center for the 8th grade class to participate in a workshop on the refugee experience;

• baking supplies for a granola project with proceeds going to Blanchet House;

• the construction of a bench for Israel’s Project Harmony;

• a “fun run” supporting Janus Youth Programs.

The grant was established to honor Noam Stampfer, a PJA parent and Board member, who passed away unexpectedly in 2001. Noam’s friends and family have looked to honor his memory in many ways including the establishment of this fund which helps students and alumni carry on Noam’s commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world), as well as his entrepreneurial spirit.

At its core, the fund’s purpose is to support the good work that PJA 8th graders and alumni are doing in their local or global community. Individuals who see a need and envision a way to meet that need are encouraged to apply for money to finance their projects.

At this time the maximum grant amount is limited to $540 per project. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and grant recipients are required to submit a grant report after the project has been completed. If you have a project idea, please consider applying.

The application can be found here: pjaproud.org/alumni-grant.

In Grant News

We are grateful to the following donors who made recent grants in support of PJA:

• The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Lisa and Arieh Coll, and Prizmah Engage: Growing School and Community Partnerships to support collaboration between PJA and PJ Library

• Holzman Foundation, Inc. 8th Grade Israel Trip scholarships*

• Robison Foundation for Jewish Elders to support the B’Yachad partnership between PJA and Rose Schnitzer Manor

• Leonard & Lois Schnitzer Charitable Supporting Foundation of OJCF to support PJA's participation in the Hadar Institute’s Pedagogy of Partnership (PoP) program

• OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation for general support

*Due to rising costs, the 8th grade Israel trip has become very expensive. Want to join other donors in underwriting this trip to make it more affordable to PJA families? Please visit pjaproud.org/donate or email Steve Albert at salbert@pjaproud.org

pjaproud.org/donate

PJA Dor L’Dor Society

The Dor L’Dor Society recognizes those who have made the extraordinary commitment of including Portland Jewish Academy in their estate plan with a gift through a bequest, trust, life insurance policy or other planned gift. We gratefully acknowledge all of the members of the PJA Dor L’Dor Society.

Anonymous (3)

Steven Albert and Janie Goldenberg

Bonnie Boone Altshuld and Steve z”l Altshuld*

Ron and Judy Appelbaum

Alan Bacharach*

Gloria Bacharach z”l*

Richard Barker and Kelly Portnoff-Barker

Stacy Barna

Jackie and Stuart Barthold*

Barry and Karla Benson

Gregory Bishop and Sharon Klin*

Lynn Bonner*

Donna and Dick z”l Brownstein*

Marlene Davis z”l*

Stanley Davis*

Julie Diamond z”l

Esther Dickstein

Edith Dorsen

Robert Erlich z”l

Becky and Greg Ewer

Eleanor Fischer z”l

Robin and Eric z”l Flamm

Karen and Skip Freedman*

Nadine Gartner and Benjamin Olds

John and Beth Germain*

Jacob Gildesheim*

Jonathan and Sarah Glass

Edward and Florence Glick z”l*

Eric Goldenberg*

Erica Goldman and Jeffrey Druckman*

Adam and Robin Greenman*

Rick Haselton and Sura Rubenstein*

Merrill and Perry Hendin*

Helen Herner*

Ruth Horenstein*

Lewis and Lisa Horowitz*

Hilde Jacob z”l

Dr. Irvin and Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs

Sam Jacobson*

Phil Jansen and Ariel Shattan*

Garry and Judith Kahn

Hank Kaplan and Marni Glick*

David Karlin

Lisa Katon and Noah Kressel

Sheldon Klapper and Sue Hickey

Eric and Robin Kornblit

Tony and Priscilla Kostiner*

Stacey Lebenzon

Shirlee and Reuben Lenske z”l*

Jordana and Ryan Levenick

Al and Rosanne Levi*

Holly R. Litwin*

Gail Mandel and Steven Klein

Richard and Judi Matza*

Zen Menasche-Slayen*

Vic and Toinette Menashe*

Larry and Joyce Mendelsohn*

Mark and Marcia Meyer*

Joel Mullin and Sheri Katz

Hillary Nasso and Ken Wittenberg*

Diane Nemer z”l*

Dale Oller

Ella and Herbert Ostroff z”l*

Jack & Clara Paige Family Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation

Make a Lasting Impact

For more information about PJA's Dor L'Dor Society, contact Steve Albert at: salbert@pjaproud.org or call 503.535.3592.

Robert Leonard Parnas z”l

Erik Richmond and Annette Demsey

Gayle and Paul Romain

Steve Rosenberg and Ellen Lippman*

Stan and Madelle Rosenfeld

David and Darcy Rubin*

Nicole Heiman Sacks z”l and Robert Sacks*

Jerry and Bunny Sadis

Stephen and Becki Saltzman

Faye Gordon Samuels

Andrea K. Sanchez and Benjamin Drucker

Joan Schnitzer

Richard and Patricia Schwartz*

Gary and Linda Singer*

Jonathan Singer

Anthony Slayen*

Kelly and Julie Smith*

Les z”l and Martha Soltesz

Marshal Spector

Roslyn Srebnik Fund of the Srebnik Family Trust

Carol and Noam z”l Stampfer*

Sherry and Steven Stone*

Howard and Vivian Wasserteil

Rabbi Joey Wolf and Lisa Rackner*

Carrie Wynkoop and Kari Chisholm

Esther and Henry z”l Zabronsky*

Ken and Jennifer Zeidman

Mark and Mindy Zeitzer

Jason Zidell

Jay and Diane Zidell

*Denotes Founding Members of the Dor L'Dor Society

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly six years since our son, Eli, graduated from PJA in June 2020. His PJA education began in Transitional Kindergarten and the opportunities, culture, and nurturing yet challenging environment the school provided him has fundamentally contributed to who he is today. He is an independent and inquisitive thinker as well as a thoughtful and empathetic individual. He is a mensch. PJA provided him with a solid foundation for high school, which in turn prepared him for college. His classmates from PJA are still at the forefront in his life and serve as a lodestar as he navigates both opportunities and challenges.

For us, including Portland Jewish Academy in our estate plan was an obvious and heartfelt decision. We are infinitely grateful to PJA’s teachers, administration, and staff for being our partners in Eli’s education and growth. We want to do our part to help ensure that PJA thrives and continues to provide such an outstanding educational experience for future generations.

Gail Mandel and Steve Klein Proud PJA alumni parents

Portland Jewish Academy

Schnitzer Family Campus

6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219

P: 503.244.0126 | F: 503.245.4233 | pjaproud.org

We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and our community for their support of PJA. jewishportland.org

VIEW THE COMPLETE CALENDAR: pjaproud.org/calendar

March 30 - April 10: No School (Passover Break)

March 19-20: No Day School (Family Teacher Conferences)

March 20: Early Childhood Staff In-Service

March 3: In-school Purim celebrations

February 27: Early Childhood Family Kabbalat Shabbat

February 16: No School (President's Day)

Feb. 10-13: Middle School Taglit

Feb. 9: No Day School (Professional Development)

Feb. 2: Tu B’Shvat

Calendar of Events

Jason Zidell

Sandra Valle

Danelle Romain

Michelle Kashinsky

Martha Izenson

Chris Hathaway

Arielle Goranson

Nicole Frisch

Eric Brickenstein

Jules Bailey

Naomi Harwin | Secretary

Nate Smith | Treasurer

John Emshwiller | Vice President

David Solondz | President-Elect

Nadine Gartner | President