PJA Auction hits high note
By Deborah Moon Seldner
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Portland Jewish Academy grossed approximately $295,000 at this year's auction, a significant increase over previous years, according to development director Lisa Horowitz.
Under the theme PJA Rocks, the auction hit a high note with the Mitzvah Moment to raise money for scholarships to the community day school, which serves children in preschool through eighth grade. Perhaps motivated by reports of the school's proof of excellence and the promise of matching funds, the bidding frenzy ended up bringing in $175,000 to ensure the school is open to all students in the community who wish to attend.
"People really responded to the matching funds," said Horowitz.
Two families—Jay, Diane and Min Zidell, and Steve (Rosy) Rosenberg and Ellen Lipman—pledged to match up to $50,000 during the Mitzvah Moment. When the resulting bidding frenzy stalled at $48,600, the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Care Foundation offered to throw in another $25,000 if bidders would raise an even $50,000. New bidding quickly sealed the deal.
"I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of Jay, Diane and Min Zidell and Rosy and Ellen," said Head of School Julie Smith. "Those families' ongoing generosity and commitment to the school really helped us raise the ceiling on financial donations."
Schnitzer was referring to the award PJA received from the U.S. Dept. of Education this year.
As PJA President Jay Rosenbloom told the audience, "Each year we stand before you and tell you that we are doing a great job and you should continue to support what we are doing.
"You no longer have to take our word for proof of the academic excellence PJA has achieved. This year the school was designated a Blue Ribbon School ? (a) distinction given only to schools that rank in the top 10 percent nationally for academic achievement."
