PJA/MJCC Co-President Jordan Schnitzer visits with Michelle Rosenbloom and Dr. Richard Garfinkle during the PJA Auction Dec. 16 at the MJCC.

Portland Jewish Academy raises $406,000

Two families join to match Mitzvah Moment

By Jewish Review

article created on:

More than 400 guests and volunteers attended Portland Jewish Academy’s 46th Annual Auction held Dec. 16 at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

The auction raised $406,000, of which $280,000 was pledged as part of the Mitzvah Moment.

The Mitzvah Moment initially raised $140,000. Then the Zidel and Rosenberg/Lippman families matched that amount.

The Mitzvah Moment was an opporutnity for auction-goers to pledge money outside the framework of the auction  to fund materials and staff development so that PJA can implement the curriculum framework of the International Baccalaureate.

The school has applied to become an International Baccalaureate world school. Teachers are currently attending training and working on developing curriculum.

“I was impressed by the community support for this program,” said PJA Head of School Patricia Schwartz. “I loved the feeling at the auction—people having a great party in their home—the JCC.”