Dear MJDS Friends,

Like all of you, MJDS holds a very special place in my heart. I credit my time there with the ways in which Judaism, learning, teaching, children, and being a part of a special school community all play a role in my adult life. Jewish education is very much a central part of who I am - as a life-long learner, as a mother, and as a professional.

When I switched elementary schools in third grade, from public school to MJDS, our family was immediately welcomed and embraced by the warm environment, nurturing staff, and loving community. As a child, it not only showed me what a school should feel like for all students, but my positive experiences there have guided many of my choices as I grew up.

I have always wanted to be a teacher, but, MJDS further narrowed my career path towards Jewish education. My love for Judaism, learning, and education since then have been woven into my life, from attending Jewish summer camps to majoring in Jewish Education at UW-Madison. After graduating, I taught Hebrew & Jewish Studies at a Jewish day school for many years. My memories from MJDS only increased my dedication to creating meaningful, engaging, and creative lessons for those students. After staying home to raise our two young children, I have returned to the field of Jewish education as a child development and parenting specialist in a Jewish nursery school program. I love that I am able to share my passion for teaching, Judaism, and children with our Parent & Me families. I have been selected to be a part of a wonderful pilot program called the First 36 Project; a neuro-science research program for early childhood educators in Jewish parenting centers. Not only do I enjoy expanding my own knowledge, but I love sharing it with my classes and community as well. I thank MJDS for instilling in me the idea that one never stops learning.

As a mother, I can only hope that our children grow up appreciating the amazing Jewish values, lessons, and character strengths that they are receiving from their own Jewish day school experience. I will always be grateful to MJDS for the family-like community to which I belonged, the strong Jewish identity that I developed, and my passion for Jewish education that I will always cherish.

Mazel tov, MJDS, on this meaningful double chai milestone... and to many more years to come.

With love and gratitude,

Sari Edber (Pelc)

MJDS alumna, Class of '93