CESJDS is home to a large population of Hagshama families, families where both the children and parents went to JDS. Currently, JDS has 97 legacy students in its halls.
The experience of Hagshama families shows different perspectives from other families that are not part of the legacy block. Being a legacy parent can give parents a different perspective on the school, according to Marshall Einhorn (’94), father to Elana (‘23) and sophomore Ari Skolnick Einhorn.
“It certainly gives me an appreciation for the JDS,” Marshall said. “My parents, my older brother’s education, and the JDS community more broadly. I appreciate not only what JDS gave me but I guess in those relatively early years in school, my parents [putting faith in JDS].”
Due to their experiences at JDS, many alumni consider the school as the first option for their kids. Many alumni recall the positive elements of JDS when considering other schools. JDS was a clear choice for Asher Epstein (‘92), father of junior Dalia and sophomore Ami.
“There are wonderful schools in this area but I have a very strong affinity to the school,” Asher said. “I had a positive experience as a student. I know the curriculum is fantastic. The teachers are fantastic. The facilities are fantastic.”
Many parents like Marshall participated in multiple sports teams in their time at JDS, which is a legacy that has been built on by their children. Both Ami and Asher have participated in the tennis team in their time in high school and Ari and Marshall played basketball, soccer and baseball. l.Despite this looming legacy, most Hagshama students have felt little to no pressure to live up to the legacy of their parents at JDS.
“My parents always told me that I should do what I want,” Ari said. “I don’t have any expectations, to live up to whatever my dad has done here. Even though he’s done some pretty cool things.”
Marshall is excited for Ari to get to participate in many of the activities that he experienced at JDS, like prom and the Israel trip.
Many JDS parents have had interactions with old teachers who are now teaching their children. For example, Marshall’sfirst parent-teacher conference at JDS was with Hebrew teacher Yaffa Dagony whom he had as a teacher.
“It was fun to reconnect with her in that context. When you’re a student, it’s hard to imagine being a parent one day, let alone a parent who is sitting with their kids at a conference with your past teacher]” Einhorn said.
Many JDS Hagshama parents have observed a noticeable change in the atmosphere of JDS since their departure and the arrival of their kids. They recall things like classrooms, teachers and environment changing.
“My daughter’s kindergarten class was in my English classroom,” High School Assistant Principal Aileen Goldstein said. “And walking into the library (at the Lower School); what was our library is now this huge, beautiful classroom space that’s light and airy that for us was dark, dingy and dusty.”
Despite all these changes, many Hagshama students experience a comforting similarity to their parents in their time at JDS.
“It’s cool knowing that I get a similar education from similar places and similar teachers even though the schools changed a little bit. But still, cool knowing that there are a lot of the same things,” Ari said.
JDS parent’s observations of their children mirror children’s observations as well.
“I love how comfortable my daughter is with herself and with the school, [I love] watching how much she loves the school and how much she treasures her Judaism and wants to take advantage of every single opportunity,” Goldstein said. “That’s something that I also enjoyed about JDS [as a student].”
