April 7, 2025
Last Sunday, we held our revamped gala, now titled A Mirowitz Celebration, at Reverie, a new venue in Chesterfield. I hope you enjoyed the evening if you were able to attend. If you were unable to attend, I hope you will come next year. I’m pleased to share with you a version of the speech I had the privilege of delivering that evening.
It is an honor to stand before you as we celebrate our school, students, and shared mission.
We are here to celebrate tonight, but before we do, I want to acknowledge that this has been a time of significant change and challenge for our school. While we have made measurable progress in many areas—strengthening our financial systems, improving transparency, and stabilizing our budget—I recognize that these accomplishments don’t capture the full picture of what many in our community are experiencing.
I know some of you feel hurt, concerned, or disconnected. Others worry about what these changes mean for the school we all love. I want you to know that I see these feelings, and they matter deeply to me. Behind every decision is a person—me—who cares deeply and carries the weight of these choices. I worry about disappointing the families who trust us with their children’s education. I feel the weight of responsibility to the dedicated teachers and staff who pour their hearts into this school. And sometimes, I fear that in addressing one challenge, I might inadvertently create another.
Moving forward, please know that I commit to creating more opportunities for dialogue, increasing transparency, honoring traditions while embracing necessary change, and balancing financial sustainability with community cohesion.
Above all, I am committed to keeping our children— your children—at the heart of everything we do. Their education, their Jewish identity, and their future are our guiding lights.
We are here together because we believe in the power of Jewish education to give our children both roots and wings. Roots that ground them in tradition, history, and values that have endured through generations.
And wings that allow them to soar—to ask, to innovate, to shape a future where Judaism is vibrant, inclusive, and meaningful. This is happening every day at Mirowitz. And that’s why we decided to call our event “A Mirowitz Celebration.”
Let’s start by celebrating our teachers. They are the ones who plant the seeds of knowledge, inspire curiosity, and shape our students into thoughtful, engaged young people. We honor four extraordinary educators whose dedication embodies the essence of roots and wings.
We celebrate Morah Elona Neece as she completes her fifth year of teaching at Mirowitz. Elona brings energy and enthusiasm to each lesson in her fifth-grade classroom. Elona is creative in her lessons and builds meaningful relationships with her students.
We also celebrate Morah Roxana Lichtman’s fifth year at Mirowitz and 20th year in education. A hands-on educator, Roxana believes each student has immense potential. Her participation in the prestigious Legacy Heritage Teacher Institute for Innovation has only expanded her work to all corners of our school.
We celebrate Coach Gary Lerner’s 10th year in education at Mirowitz, where he found his second career. Coach Gary is a true example of a team player who steps in and steps up for anything and everything needed in our school. Whether it is joining the before-care team, teaching a class, leading tefillah, or taking students to Europe this year, Gary is always engaged and shares his passion for education.
Last but certainly not least, we celebrate Morah Becky Lerner’s 20th year at Mirowitz. Morah Becky coordinates all that we learn and do related to Hebrew and Israel. Her dedication and knowledge are significant reasons our students learn as much as they do. Becky is always watching, listening, and thinking about the needs of her students and our school. She is an incredible thought partner to our leadership team.
Our school is not just a place of learning; it is a home where students of different backgrounds, practices, and beliefs come together to explore what it means to be Jewish today. In a world that too often seeks to divide, we model something powerful: a pluralistic Jewish community that thrives on respect, on curiosity, and on the deep connections that bind us together. I am so pleased that we honor the most incredible people tonight in the Siteman/Garland families and Patty Bloom.
As we look ahead, we do so with hope and determination. The work we do here—fostering understanding, nurturing leadership, and ensuring that every child knows they belong—is essential. It is a promise to the future, and it is a promise that we make together.
We also want to take a moment to remember two remarkable leaders we lost this past year—Ed Balk and Marshall Myers, former board presidents and dedicated champions of our school and our community. Their vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment helped shape the institution we are so proud of today. Their legacy lives on in the students who walk our halls, the teachers who inspire, and the community they helped build. Zichronam L’vracha, may their memories be a blessing.
We believe that from generation to generation, l’dor v’dor, we shall grow.
Everyone reading this loves Mirowitz. So, let’s celebrate. Let’s honor our shared commitment, our community, and, most of all, our students. Because through them, our roots will remain strong, and their wings will carry us forward.
L’Shalom,
Raquel