It’s That Simple - We are Responsible

Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh – All Jews are responsible for one another. This principle of Judaism can be found in Talmud (Shavuot 39a). It is our obligation to make sure each one in our community has their needs met. We cannot turn away from a fellow Jew who needs our help and support. Of course, we are not limited to caring only for our internal community. Our responsibility extends well beyond, “l’taken et haolam” – to repair the world, which includes the universal concept of working towards justice and equity for all people!

Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh is a profound reminder that we must ultimately rely on each other for our strong and vibrant Jewish community. That support comes in many ways.  There are national and international Jewish agencies that support Israel and provide crucial services to Jewish people locally and throughout the world, including those who are most vulnerable. 

We must also remember that our responsibility resides right here at Schechter Bergen.  Schechter Bergen is only as strong and vibrant as the larger community and families are willing to help it to be.   

At our recent State of the School program, those participating learned that after tuition, the school still has a financial gap of over 1.2 million dollars. In other words, tuition only covers about 88% of the total cost to educate a Schechter Bergen student. Our beloved Kehillah relies on the generosity and support of the community to close that 1.2 million dollar gap through the school’s annual campaign.

Everyone associated with Schechter Bergen from the Board to the Leadership, to our teachers and staff are passionately committed to providing our children with an outstanding education  - preparing them to live meaningful and purposeful Jewish lives and making a difference for their families, community and the world around them.

Our mission demands that we provide a dynamic and experiential curriculum that truly engages our children while keeping tuition at a level that makes our school as affordable as possible for more families. 

Think about it - even though our tuition is modest compared to that of the average independent school, we established a Kehillah model that enables us to have a remarkable student-teacher ratio complemented by an array of learning specialists that ensures that we can differentiate the curriculum and meet our students where they are at. 

Our Popkin Innovation Lab has state-of-the-art  equipment and our students are introduced to design thinking at any early age (for more information about the PopLab, see our recent Yesh story HERE). In the PopLab our children can allow their creativity to soar while being introduced to the idea of using that creativity to solve problems around them.

Our teachers are life-long learners, using research to enhance their teaching and classroom environment. Our teachers work together collaboratively and put our children first. They are the foundation of the school and help to create the warm, nurturing environment that Schechter Bergen is known for.

How is all this possible?  Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh – Because we are responsible for one another. Hundreds of current parents, past parents, grandparents and alumni give to the annual fund.  If the annual fund fell short – all the “magic” that happens daily at Schechter Bergen would be at risk.

The Annual Fund must be successful and reach its goal of one million dollars each year and it needs every single family to participate.  Participation is the key -- at whatever “best” gift a family can afford. Your participation acknowledges that we all have a responsibility to each other beyond your child’s own tuition.

For the larger Schechter Bergen community - past parents, alumni, grandparents, friends of the school, your belief in Schechter Bergen and its vital role in the Bergen and larger Jewish communities is what sustains us. Schechter Bergen and schools like ours are more essential than ever before in ensuring a vibrant Jewish future. We need your continued support.

Together, Schechter Bergen can go from michayil l'chayil - strength to strength - our children are worth it, our future is as well!  It is that simple - We are responsible and we can make a lasting difference.

Please make your gift today HERE.