Auction opens Maimonides to all
By Deborah Moon
Scholarships to give all children the opportunity to attend Maimonides Jewish Day School are made possible by the school’s annual auction—this year slated for March 2 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.
“This is where the scholarship money is generated so we can give scholarships,” said Director Devora Wilhelm.
Karen Hafner, parent of former Maimonides student Daniel Hafner, said the school’s scholarship policy enabled her son to receive an excellent education from pre-kindergarten through third grade. She said the school prepared her son exceptionally well to transition to Maplewood Elementary, where he is now in fifth grade, and to which she moved him for a larger group of peers.
“The sad news is he’s lost in the public school setting,” said Hafner. “When he was at Maimondes, everyone had an individualized plan prepared by the teachers so they were able to learn at their own rate. He worked with seventh-graders in reading and math.”
Hafner said she hopes the community will support the school’s scholarships, which truly enable every family who wants a Jewish education for their child to receive it. She said the perception that the school is only for Hassidic and Orthodox families “is totally not accurate.”
Coming from a Reform background, Hafner said, “I never felt like my Judaism wasn’t good enough for them. …They never questioned what our affiliation was; they just welcomed us.”
A single mom who receives no support from Daniel’s father, Hafner said she could never have afforded the tuition at Maimonides on her salary as a school counselor.
“Devora worked with me to make sure he could go,” said Hafner. “From day one, she made sure I could afford it. She was gracious.”
Hafner said that graciousness and kindness extended beyond the school. She said they were often invited to the Wilhelm’s for Shabbat dinner or to visit their sukkah.
“When I had a job in Sandy, she let me drop Daniel off at her house—she’s so giving,” she said. “Daniel felt as welcome at her house as at our own, which is saying something because we are not Hassidic.”
Heidi Holmes, who is co-chairing the auction for the second time with Miriam Shpitsek, said she hopes people come to this year’s auction because it “supports the kids,” and “we want to raise awareness our little school is doing something amazing.”
This year’s auction begins at 5 p.m. with a silent auction, during with pianist George Fendel will perform. Dinner catered by Allen Levin will begin about 6:15, followed by the live auction.
Holmes said this year’s auction was moved to the MJCC because it is a nice, newly renovated venue that is easily accessible to a large portion of the Jewish community.
In keeping with this year’s theme of “Building Our Future,” Holmes said the auction will be decorated in a construction theme and that the committee has received many donations for home improvement. For instance a $1,000 gift certificate to Best Windows, carpet cleaning, design services, concrete texturing and cleaning services will be on the auction block. Photographer Tobin Floom has donated a large print on canvas, with the winning bidder getting their choice of one of several works.
Holmes said the auction will feature “something for everyone,” with donations from numerous business in Lake Oswego, artisans from gift shows in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and a gallery section of art.
For reservations or more information, call Maimonides Jewish Day School at 503-977-7850.
Building Our Future information
WHAT: Maimonides Jewish Day School Annual Auction; Silent auction, kosher dinner, live auction
WHEN: 5 p.m., Sunday, March 2
WHERE: Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway
TICKETS: $50 general seating; $500, table for 10; $700 Patron seating for 10 with amenities
RSVP by Feb. 20 to 503-977-7850