As PCJDS closes, new Jewish school in works

A group of parents and supporters are attempting to launch a new Jewish school to replace thee 30-year-old, soon-to-close Pinellas County Jewish Day School.

With the assistance of the Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties, a community rally is set for Monday, June 7, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom in Clearwater to discuss not only the possibilities that exist, but why the existence of a Jewish day school is important for the entire community.

Current Jewish Day School parents Janice LeVine, who is also a PCJDS teacher, and Dr. Jose Prieto are co-chairing the effort.

Among the many issues that have to be decided quickly are:

• Whether the school will be another Solomon Schechter school (affiliated with the Conservative Movement but open to students from other streams of Judaism), an independent Jewish community school linked to no particular stream of Judaism, or an independent community school with some ties to Solomon Schechter schools. The hope is the new school will attract all Jewish families, Orthodox to Reform .

• A location — such as a synagogue or temple to reduce costs. Temple B’nai Israel in Clearwater has offered its facilities.

• Funding for the new school to make it viable, but at the same time affordable for all.

About 100 concerned parents began plans for the new school almost immediately after PCJDS officially announced it will close at the end of the school year. Their hope is to have a new Jewish day school in time for the new school year.

The final straw for the financially troubled PCJDS was when only 85 families re-enrolled for the new school year. The board — the second one seated this school year — considered the lack of re-enrollment as signal parents had lost confidence in the school, its leadership and its future.