Eight years ago, in the summer of 2017, I relaunched this blog in my then-new role as Head of School at OJCS, promising transparency, authenticity, and community engagement. Since then, I’ve published over 175 blog posts, mixing metaphors, extending analogies, and—admittedly—never quite mastering brevity.
A playful yet real look back by the numbers:
- “Transparency Files” posts: 27
- Posts tackling French curriculum and bilingualism: 16
- Posts exploring Jewish Studies, pluralism, and identity: 24
- Posts explicitly focused on culture, innovation, and change: 38
- Total approximate word count: 210,000 (enough for three average novels—or about the length of a typical Jon Mitzmacher email)
Behind these playful statistics lies the heart of the meaningful work we’ve accomplished together. This June offered several opportunities to share reflections directly with different parts of our community—our Board, our families and supporters, and (on Monday night!) our graduating class. Each message carried its unique emphasis, but woven together, they create a powerful tapestry of gratitude, celebration, vision, and hope.
To the Board of Trustees
Reflecting on our time together, I shared my gratitude for the extraordinary dedication of our lay leaders. Our Board members have given generously of their time, talent, and treasure—especially their time, the most precious gift. Over these eight years, we have navigated strategic shifts, enrollment growth, financial stewardship, a global pandemic, and October 7th, demonstrating courage, moral clarity, and thoughtful decision-making at every step. I expressed particular thanks to four remarkable Board Chairs—Michael Polowin, Leila Ages, Lorne Segal, and Joanne Gorenstein—each of whom led with wisdom, integrity, and care. We wrote these chapters together, understanding clearly that while no single person finishes this sacred work, each of us has the profound obligation to contribute meaningfully to its ongoing story.
To the OJCS Community
Addressing our wider community, I reaffirmed the clarity with which I chose Ottawa—not once, but twice. Coming here was never a difficult choice because I saw, clearly and immediately, the enormous potential in this school and community. OJCS has become an engine of transformation, a beacon of unapologetic Jewish joy in Canada’s capital. Our achievements—steady enrollment growth, bold innovations, meaningful engagement with pluralism and inclusion, significant enhancements to French fluency, increased contact time and rigour in Jewish Studies, our beautifully renovated spaces, and a remarkable 75th anniversary—testify to our capacity to build something truly transformational. And still, I insisted, our greatest days lie ahead, with much ground yet to break and many more Jewish lives to inspire.
To Our Graduates
Speaking directly to our graduates, I celebrated their extraordinary journeys and their resilience. They began Grade 1 as I began my tenure, and we’ve grown together over these eight remarkable years. In a world increasingly divided, OJCS has served as a haven for unity and diversity, preparing them to enter a complicated world as compassionate, literate, and passionate Jewish leaders.
A Special OJCS North Stars Blessing for Our Community
As I conclude this chapter, let me offer a special adaptation of the OJCS North Stars Blessing we offer each year at graduation, now reimagined specifically as a blessing for our entire community:
- “Have a floor, but not a ceiling” – as a community, may we always maintain high standards, setting strong foundational expectations while continually encouraging bold aspirations. May OJCS always push beyond perceived limitations, committed to excellence, innovation, and meaningful growth for everyone it touches.
- “Ruach” – may our community forever be defined by unapologetic Jewish joy. Even in challenging times, may we remain playful, spirited, and passionately engaged in the celebrations, traditions, and everyday moments that make Jewish life vibrant and compelling.
- “We own our own learning” – may we continue to embrace learning as active and intentional, never passive. Let OJCS continue to be a community where everyone—students, teachers, parents, stakeholders—feels empowered and inspired to shape their educational experiences and paths forward.
- “We are each responsible one to the other” – may our community remain deeply committed to caring for one another and repairing the world around us. Let OJCS always be a place where Torah inspires mitzvot, mitzvot inspire learning, and acts of kindness and responsibility become our hallmark.
- “We learn better together” – may our community remain a beacon of collaboration, unity, and mutual support. Understanding that we achieve more collectively than individually, let OJCS always model this deeply Jewish value, inspiring stronger relationships and shared successes.
- “We are on our own inspiring Jewish journey” – may our community proudly and intentionally embrace our unique approach to Jewish pluralism. Let OJCS always be a haven where diverse Jewish journeys are not only accepted but celebrated, offering a powerful example of unity without uniformity to the wider world.
Thank you for walking this journey with me, for engaging openly and thoughtfully, and for believing so deeply in the transformative power of Jewish education. It has truly been the honour and privilege of my professional life.
As we look toward our shared future, let joy be our guiding principle:
“Ivdu Et Hashem B’Simchah—Serve God with joy.” (Psalm 100:2)
May the joy we have created together continue to inspire us, enrich our lives, and guide us forward.
And so, once again, this blog will go on a brief hiatus as I prepare to change roles. People have asked, and so let me name here that as of August 1st, will become a Senior Director with Scott Goldberg Consulting (SGC). As was true during my years with Schechter and Prizmah, I am looking forward again to widening my aperture while still serving the field. This blog has transitioned with me along my professional journey, evolving and growing with each new role I have been blessed to play. This will be true now as well. I will take some time off from weekly blogging – I will take some time off period! – but then I look forward to relaunching the next iteration of “A Floor, But No Ceiling” once I am clear as to how my thought leadership is best exhibited in this new role. I am excited for what comes next…stay tuned.
