The dream of parents, leaders and philanthropists will come to pass as the Jewish High School of Connecticut will open in 2010 in Bridgeport, the first pluralistic Jewish school in the county.
“An open-minded spirit of intellectual inquiry will guide learning and teaching; encouraging students to question, challenge and strive toward realizing their highest potential” said Rabbi Edward Harwitz, head of school at the Jewish High School of Connecticut. “JHSC seeks to break the mold of contemporary Jewish education, encouraging student initiative and strengthening each student”™s unique voice and passion.”
Rabbi Harwitz said the school will first open its doors to ninth and 10th graders. He said to finance the school”™s launch, the board of trustees of the nascent school raised more than $3 million and that fundraising accelerated over the last several months as a result of a generous challenge grant by Michael Steinhardt.
“We are extremely grateful to Michael Steinhardt for the opportunity to raise funds through a challenge grant” said Susan Birke Fiedler, president of the Jewish High School of Connecticut Board of Trustees. “The challenge motivated philanthropists throughout the region to give generously during this crucial startup phase.”
Harwitz said the school”™s campus will be located on the land of Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport and though there will be construction to accommodate the school for now there will be no additional structures erected.
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Michael Steinhardt said, “I believe it is important in these economic times to inspire support for worthy new options for the Jewish education of our children. I am happy to play a role in helping funders in the Connecticut community realize the value of Jewish education and the central importance of excellence in the ways we deliver that education.”
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In New Haven, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven launched a last-minute campaign to help meet the challenge.
“It was collaboration with the sheer determination to bring this high school to southern Connecticut,” said Joel Karp, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven.
The Jewish High School of Connecticut is currently receiving funding from the United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien and from the Annual Campaign of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Eastern Fairfield County.
Harwitz said the school will be co-educational, serving students from all Jewish backgrounds.
“When we welcome our pioneering students in the fall of 2010, we will embark on a new frontier for education in this community,” said Harwitz. “The school will provide a rigorous, comprehensive curricular and co-curricular program of Jewish and general studies, athletics and the arts in an environment that encourages spirited discussion and cultivates critical thinking.”
