Dear CESJDS High School Community,

Last week was the final week of classes for High School students, and also my final week at CESJDS. 

While it was a remarkable four days (Friday was an at-home Study Day for students) filled with Jewish joy and collective moments of awe alongside the culmination of a year of learning with final projects and exams, it left my heart both heavy and grateful for my five years spent as CESJDS High School Principal and Upper School Campus Head. 

Some highlights from the week:

• Greeting Upper School students at the front door on Monday and Wednesday, reminding high schoolers that this was their last week of classes… tired faces brightening up with smiles and laughter!
• A brilliant night of music and spirited student voices filling the theatre at Tuesday’s evening Spring Concert. The Middle and High School Ensembles and Choirs were expertly guided by Mr. Prince and Mr. DeHaviland. 
  • I could not forget the spirited rendition of Ex-Wives, (Excerpt, “Six, The Musical: Teen Edition”) by six Middle School girls OR the traditional Klezmer tunes performed by Period 2 HS Ensemble OR the original pieces (Samba for Gary and 1-800-Jazz-4-Me) composed by our Advanced Music Students and performed by Period 7 HS Ensemble OR  Al Kol Eileh performed by Shir Madness. What talented singers and musicians we have! 

• Serving as “Head Basketball Coach” for the Faculty Team on Wednesday in the first ever Faculty vs Junior Class Basketball Game, a tradition I hope will continue. The 11th Grade won the game (31 to 24) but it was close and the faculty gave it their all!  

• Admiring student leadership at the final HS Kab Shab (Kabbalat Kayitz!) on Thursday when six student government co-presidents delivered the Dvar Torah for Parshat Beha’alotcha on lessons in leadership.
• Spending my final advisory on Thursday with my extraordinary group of eight 9th graders, filling up Containers of Connection for each with notes of appreciation and admiration and, of course, snacks!

Leading a division, no matter if Lower, Middle, or High School, requires that students are always at the center of decision making. I am proud of the structures, processes, practices and student leadership opportunities we have built over the past five years so that students can grow, lead and thrive. Aileen Goldstein, Interim High School Principal for the 2026-2027 school year, has been a wonderful partner and instrumental in putting in place the following and more:

• Grade-level deans to build a strong sense of community and establish norms and expectations across each grade. 
• Off-campus grade-bonding trips the first week of school to allow for all grades, especially the 9th grade where approximately one-third of students are new to CESJDS, to experience joy and communal moments of awe. 
• Expanded student leadership opportunities in student government, athletics, health and wellness, social entrepreneurship, student-led Kab Shab and twice-yearly implementation of student surveys to elevate student voice. 
• Revamped graduation requirements starting with the Class of 2029 to allow for greater student choice. 

Leading a Jewish school requires more than just putting students at the center of decision making; it requires a commitment to the Jewish people, a dedication to the mission and values of a Jewish institution and a desire to create intentional joyful spaces that allow for Jewish identity development. This has been my learning over the past five years as I have supported the development of meaningful daily Z’manei Kodesh spaces, weekly Kab Shabs, yearly grade-level Shabbatonim and Zimriyah on Yom Ha-atzma-ut plus a multitude of wonderful programming on Israel. I am so grateful to have learned from the rabbinic leaders and outstanding Jewish educators at CESJDS, including Aileen Goldstein who will lead the High School next year with joy, head, and heart. 

As I embark on a new chapter in my professional journey, Head of School at the Ann & Nate Levine Academy, an inclusive Jewish day school in Dallas, Texas, I will be forever grateful for this learning and the connections that I have made in the CESJDS community. During these trying times for the Jewish people, I look forward to leaning into this purposeful and meaningful work with the sense of urgency that Paul Bernstein, CEO of Prizmah, writes about in his recent article, Meeting Today’s Urgent Need for Jewish Community and Identity. After five years at CESJDS, I feel confident that I can fully convey the power of a Jewish education. 

With Gratitude and Appreciation,

Dr. Vardi