Kehilah, a Hebrew word meaning “community,” represents one of Rodeph Sholom School’s four core values and reflects our commitment to a sense of unity, respect, and collective responsibility. We are proud to highlight members of the Rodeph Sholom School community, like parent and alum David Politis ’94, P’28, ’30, through our Kehilah Spotlight series.
As a Rodeph Sholom School alumnus and a parent of two current students, I want to share the special experience that has come with being part of this growing multi-generational community.
I began my time at Rodeph Sholom School as a student in 1984. One of my clearest memories is of when the School first expanded from its original building at 84th Street to 79th Street in 1993. I remember feeling very special to be one of the first classes to go to school in the new 79th Street building—the same building that now houses the Middle School. After graduating in 1994, I always felt that Rodeph Sholom School was a special place. That is why, over 20 years later, when it was time to enroll my sons Noah and Sammy in school, the choice was obvious.
Now, as a parent, I get to see my sons walk the same halls I walked through in 1993. This year, I enjoyed watching my 3rd grader, Sammy, create a fictional immigrant named Misha Federman as part of a mock Ellis Island—a signature 3rd Grade event as part of a unit about the experience of immigrants coming to New York at the turn of the century. Noah, in 5th Grade, is in his first year of middle school. Managing the change from elementary school to middle school can feel like a big leap, but I have found the Middle School Advisory Program to be invaluable during this transitional year. Through this program, Noah is learning how to be more independent and organized while also advocating for himself—skills that not only prepare him for middle school, but also for high school and beyond.
Watching my children learn and grow, it is clear to me that what I loved about my own time at Rodeph Sholom School is still true today. Having sat in the same classrooms and participated in the same traditions that my children now experience, I feel that there is something incredibly special about being part of a school that has stood the test of time. Rodeph Sholom School is built on a strong foundation of collaboration and dedication, and I am proud that my children and I get to be a part of its legacy.
Since its inception in 1970, Rodeph Sholom School has been proud to have a strong culture of philanthropy. Our teachers and staff are invaluable in guiding our students through their early lives and adolescence, and our families and friends offer tremendous support, year after year, to make that work possible and to help our programs thrive. Learn more here.