January 31, 2010

Dear MJHS Family,

On Monday, August 14, 2006, in a dedication ceremony comprised of words of gratitude, the hanging of mezuzot and the cutting of a blue and white ribbon, Kadima Memphis Jewish High School was opened. The pioneering freshman class consisted of nine students who, along with their parents, committed to taking a road less traveled. They put their trust in the promise of the school's founders, school administration and teachers to provide the students with a stellar secular and Jewish studies education that maximizes each student's potential while instilling a sense of cooperation, mutual respect and support of their peers. Seven of these trailblazers comprise the graduating Class of 2010. They and their fellow students in the freshman, sophomore and junior classes come from every Jewish denomination and educational framework in Memphis and have thrived in the culture of inclusiveness achieved around the oval Harkness table at which they engaged in their dual-curriculum studies. Expectations of MJHS students have been set high by a faculty and administration with top-notch credentials and a well-focused sense of mission. They are the backbone of our school, and we are deeply appreciative for their dedication.

From the inception of the idea of MJHS until now, we have been fully committed to the fulfillment of the promises we made to our students and their parents. We believe we have delivered on the promise of creating an exceptional educational environment for children from the full spectrum of our Jewish community. We believed that MJHS was one of the finest schools in our city, and increasingly more families were coming to our school to explore it as an option for their children's high school years. Nevertheless, we now have to face the reality that we have not been able to find enough donors in Memphis or beyond who are both willing and capable of financially supporting MJHS at this crucial time. Beyond frustrating, it is personally painful that we find ourselves at this juncture. Just as the broader community is recognizing the high caliber and successes of our program, just as the college acceptances are arriving, just as it appears we would have had the opportunity next year of welcoming the largest freshman class to date and additional students in higher grades, the economic recession has taken a heavy toll on our ability to raise needed dollars, leaving us with major budgetary deficits. We have solicited financial support from our school family, the Memphis Jewish community at large, foundations, and national and international philanthropists, but we have been unable to secure sufficient funds to sustain our school.

Knowing we have tried our best is not a great comfort to us. We are greatly saddened by the loss of opportunity to serve your children's educational needs and that of the many students we hoped to have had in the future join the MJHS family. Your children's enthusiasm for their studies and love of the school has been inspirational to us and to all who have witnessed it. We truly hope your children will remember fondly their time at MJHS and carry the lessons they learned here close to their hearts throughout their lives. In the years to come, may we continue to be blessed with hearing about milestones in their lives, their many future endeavors, and their much anticipated successes.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the founders of Kadima Memphis Jewish High School, we would like to sincerely thank our students who have fully engaged in their studies and in the school's culture and who recognized and embraced the importance of Jewish education. We thank the parents who entrusted their children's education to us and hope while sharing this difficult news with others, you will also share the very positive story of what went on daily inside the halls of MJHS and the profound impact the school has had on your children.

And finally, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our Class of 2010. You will have the very special, singular position of carrying the banner of our school as your alma mater. We are proud of you beyond measure for having spent your high school years in serious study of your secular subjects and exploring in-depth your Jewish heritage and identity, and importantly, expanding your knowledge of the history, culture and geography of Israel and her centrality to the Jewish people. You have already shown yourselves to be Jewish leaders by deciding to make Jewish education in your teenage years a priority in your lives. Be proud of the message you delivered by doing so. We remain forever awed by your commitment and by what you have achieved.

For questions about Kadima Memphis Jewish High School, contact:
Andy Groveman
c/o 100 Peabody Place, Suite 1400
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901.260.7288