When Anna Klein’s daughter, Mia, was a four-year-old preschooler at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School (BT), her class was asked to bring in brown bag lunches for the homeless. The bags were being delivered to Beans and Bread, a soup kitchen in Fells Point, not far from where the family was living at the time.

“I volunteered to drop them off,” recalls Klein. “And when I did, it was because these are the values I want my children to learn. I want them to know that they have an obligation to give back, not only to the Jewish community, but also to the global community. And, Beth Tfiloh emphasized the values of going out in the world and doing good.”

It was this commitment to civic responsibility, coupled with the knowledge that a Jewish private school education* developed the Jewish identity of its students, that was instrumental in her desire to see her children attend BT.

“I attended Jewish private schools through 12th grade and am the grandchild of a Holocaust survivor so my Jewish identity was always very strong and a big part of who I am,” she adds.

“A Jewish day school education has proven to be one of the most important entities in securing the next generation of Jews – no matter how they choose to identify as Jews,” says Michael Elman, who co-chairs The Associated’s Day School Commission with David Hurwitz.

Yet many of Davis’ friends are often under the impression that one has to be religious in order for a Jewish private school to be the right fit.

Not true, says Davis, who grew up Conservadox (Conservative/Orthodox) while her husband grew up Reform. “At Schechter, people don’t judge. There are Jewish families across the Jewish spectrum.”

Klein agrees. “I often hear people express concern that sending their child to a Jewish private school, doesn’t provide the exposure to deal with the real world, which is obviously a lot more diverse. But I couldn’t disagree more, and I proudly share my experience.”

The Associated provides scholarship assistance to students at Jewish day schools.

“After graduating, I confidently navigated the VERY diverse world of Boston University, in large part because of the comfort of my strong Jewish identity. My first college friends were not even Jewish, and I loved shlepping them to a Hillel party and sitting around my Shabbat table with people from all over the world, Jewish and non-Jewish.“

“A Jewish private school education is important to the continuity of our community,” Hurwitz says. “And we are thrilled that The Associated, as the convener of Jewish Baltimore, recognizes the value of Jewish private schools in ensuring the sustainability and strength of our Jewish community.”

For families in Baltimore interested in an independent school experience for their children, consider a Jewish private school education. Learn more at associated.org/jewishschools.

* Jewish private schools, also known as Jewish day schools, are part of an independent network of schools that provide children with a superior academic curriculum along with a deep understanding of Jewish values and traditions.

This story originally appeared in the September issue of JMORE, a new publication that tells the vibrant story of Jewish Baltimore. Read today’s issue!