As we make this transition, I am captivated by the image of an old-fashioned scale. In the Unetaneh Tokef prayer, we call out, “Uteshuvah, utefillah, utzedakah can undo the evil decree,” praying that Hashem sees that our good deeds on one side—repentance, prayer, charity—outweigh the accumulation of our missteps, that the scale tilts toward good in the year ahead. And then, the balance shifts, and we are rewarded with Sukkot, z'man simchateinu, the time of our rejoicing.

At Prizmah, I find myself in a similar position, looking back to the year we have left and anticipating ahead to what is to come. Specifically, where has our scale tipped and how can we hope to maintain or accelerate the positive momentum that so many schools have experienced in recent years?There is great reason for optimism: enrollment across the field is up, the perceived value of day schools is increasing, and we have seen a significant rise in investments in our schools. Prizmah’s determination to make an impact on thriving day schools and yeshivas has been strengthened by the thousands of school professionals, lay leaders, and devoted funders who continue to believe in the unique capacity of day schools to ensure a vibrant Jewish future. This is simply an extraordinary time for Jewish day schools. Read more.