The entire school could be assembled in a classroom-sized multi-purpose room where we would sing 'Avadim Hayinu' and imagine ourselves as Hebrew slaves building pyramids out of cardboard bricks while Geveret Morgan accompanied us on the piano.

The 'office' consisted of a single tiny room staffed by receptionist, Geveret Barb Friedman, and our beloved Dr. Doris Shneidman, both of whom knew each of us by name. My K-4 classroom was a few steps away from the office door, the entrance to the 'school' and the door to Geveret Merzy Eisenberg's classroom where we each sat on donated carpet sample rectangles arranged in a circle on the floor and sang songs like 'Hashafan Hakatan' and pretended to catch colds from leaving the door open in the cold and sneezed our brains out. We paid very close attention to Geveret Eisenberg's wardrobe choices - as it was only on a 'slacks day' that we could motivate her through our good behavior and learning to treat us to a headstand.

On reflection, in those early years I think we sang a lot. Baby Beluga in K-4 was accompanied by goldfish crackers, which the girls in our class would savor for hours while the boys ate every morsel before the first verse was through.

But the most remarkable thing about MJDS in those years was the true innovation, risk taking, and creativity that our teachers and Doris each lovingly invested into creating something from nothing. That's what it felt like to be among the first classes at MJDS - we were pioneers and a part of something truly special and unique. Geveret Kathy Wolkenstein brought our entire K-5 class to her home/farm where we got our first lesson about the 'birds & bees' when we conveniently witnessed the birth of a new calf. Geveret Arlene Rubin divided us into reading groups by level with a brand new reading curriculum. Geveret Nancy Dowling pushed us to polish our penmanship (or rehabilitated those with tinywritus) with regular visits to the Handwriting Hospital (a decorated refrigerator box which conveniently housed a desk and featured a window from which we could look out at our classmates and longingly hope for a quick cure). She inspired a love of math with a plethora of fun math activities under the Numbrella. Geveret Judy Dermer taught us sophisticated mathematical concepts far beyond what any other 4^th graders studied - with a pilot curriculum from CSMP that featured 'mini-computers' (really magnetic cardboard squares), arrow & 'string' Venn diagrams (algebra in an accessible form) and problem-solving skills that many high school students struggle to master. Geveret Jane Gobeli developed our independence, responsibility, and self-awareness through her holistic and experiential approach. Geverets Marni Gracunas and Kristen Petersen taught us sophisticated study skills and expanded our understanding of world and American history through a combination of our first-ever lecture style classes complete with endless notes hand written for our benefit chalkboard after chalkboard - and experiential lessons on ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece. Geverets Adina Altshull, Merzy Eisenberg, and Stisha Steigman pioneered Hebrew language immersion from K-4 through 8th grade - conducting classes fully in Hebrew and enabling us to read Hebrew literature and poetry from Ha Yeladim m'Rechov Mapu to Chana Senesh to Achad Ha Am. They patiently and proudly sat through countless Hebrew plays, skits, and songs and applauded with gusto. Geveret Rena Porat cultivated our artistic spirit, skills, and creativity with a seemingly endless supply of projects we could complete with tempra paint, clay, butcher paper, and sticky tape. Geveret Sandy Morgan taught us recorder, glockenspiel, the Statue Game, the Circle Game, and just about every Jewish song you could imagine in choir. She even went as far as to write an original biblical musical, Moving on with Abraham, which was so popular that she actually double-cast Abraham and Sarah so there were more opportunities for students to play lead roles. Geveret Ateret Cohen ensured we understood the horrors of the Holocaust and the ways in which the darkest period of contemporary Jewish history has shaped the Jewish people, Israel, and the world. Geveret Nina Taus automated our library with computer-based card catalogue and barcode library cards and taught us how to sew. Geveret Kathy Alpren taught us to love writing by creating comprehensive autobiographies cataloguing our first 14 years of life. Geveret Nancy Greenman taught us to use the school's first-ever computers with Logo Writer, Oregon Trail, and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, and Geveret Jan Rosenberg equipped us with the typing and computer skills that form the foundation for our everyday computer-centered lives.

We were at the first Shabbat Sings, Special Interest Days, Science Fairs, Folk Fairs, and Special Friend Days. We proudly moved to a new space as our school grew, marching with torahs, Israeli & American Flags in hand (metaphorically and literally) from Emanuel to Beth Israel to what is now the JCC, and finally to the current building (arriving while the paint was still wet, dedicating each new space and making it our own).

There was something special about being the 'pioneers' in those early years - where risk-taking was understood as an important part of the process of creating something great where nothing had existed before. We learned that when working together as a loving community, we can overcome many challenges, and that together we can create a whole that is far greater than the sum of its parts. Most importantly, we discovered by example that those who devoted their lives to fostering this special and unique MJDS experience for us left an indelible mark on our life journeys and have therefore immeasurably enhanced the Jewish future and the world through the impact each of us and all of us will make.

I have spent the past fourteen years working on behalf of the Jewish future - first for a decade at Hillel, advancing the movement's strategy for inspiring every Jewish student to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life. For the past four years, I have served as Deputy Director of Development at AIPAC, supporting and securing the U.S.-Israel relationship, keeping America strong and Israel safe. All of this work has called for considerable innovation, risk-taking, and pioneering - even within well respected and successful legacy Jewish organizations. I think it's safe to say I wouldn't be where I am without the individual and collective lessons learned from the many educators and role models at MJDS. I am therefore, incredibly gratified to thank and honor all of you for your kind, caring, patient, and loving investments in my education and growth.

Graham Hoffman

Class of '93

In celebration of the 36th anniversary of MJDS, we are excited to present MJDS Stories, a series of narratives told in first person by different voices of our MJDS community. Parents, teachers, alumni, alumni-parents, students and friends share how MJDS has made an impact on their children, their Jewish identity and their lives. MJDS Stories deepens the meaning of our mission and amplifies the excitement of our 36 milestone.