History of the Jewish Day School

1951
A courageous group of community leaders sees the need for a Jewish Day School in Allentown. They gather in parlor meetings over the course of two years to discuss their hopes and concerns.

1954
The Charter for the Jewish Day School of Allentown is entered in the Lehigh County Court Record on June 28, 1954.

In September, 1954, the JDS opens with a kindergarten and a first grade and 20 students. Oscar Levenson is President. Rabbi Emanuel D. Rothenberg is principal, and Rabbi Jacob Friedman is the first director.

Enrollment grows, and the need for a new facility becomes clear. 1n 1956, Oscar and Sarah Levenson transfer the deed for the land at 24th and Pennsylvania Sts. to the JDS.

1956
Groundbreaking Ceremony takes place on April 29, 1956; construction begins in June, 1956.

1957
Cornerstone laying ceremony is held on May 26, 1957.

1959
Under the direction of PTA, the newly equipped kitchen begins serving lunches.

First commencement exercises are held on June 14, 1959 with t he graduat ion of t he third grade class.

1961
Originator and editor of JDS' newsletter, "The link," Jane Kinderleher is recognized at a National PTA Convention.

Graduation of the 13 children in the first class to complete the entire seven-year program. The student body now includes children from Allentown, Bethlehem, Reading and Easton.

1965
Morris Garfinkel becomes President; a Junior High School program is developed. A new wing is planned and contracted; teachers are hired.

1967
The 1967 War breaks out in Israel. All energies are put into the Israel Emergency Fund. School construction is postponed until 1969.

1971
Milton Sheftel becomes President. Rabbi Barry Cohen is principal. Enrollment increases to 135 students.

Junior High School wing is dedicated on June 6, 1971.

1974
The Board votes to offer a full-day kindergarten program.

1975
450 people attend the Scholarship Fund Dance and witness Milton Sheftet, Mrs. E.G . Scoblionka and Morris Garfinkel burn the mortgage to the school.

1976
PTA's fundraising projects fund a $10,000 kitchen renovation, playground equipment, a fence around the school yard, and two sets of encyclopedias.

1977
Yitzchak Rabin visits the school during the year of Israel's 30th birthday.

1975
In January, a Resource Room is opened with a full-time teacher. A Hebrew studies counterpart is developed by Abby Wiener and opens in April.

1980
A formal art program is begun.

1981
After school activities include The Ranger Rick Nature Club, Kung Fu classes. Great Books Club, and the Talmud Club.

1983
JDS students participate in the MS Read-a-thon and raise 1907.00 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society

1984
Primary Kindergarten class begins at the JDS with Morah Bunny Filler as teacher.

JDS children exhibit artwork at the 41st Children's Art Exhibition in NYC.

1986
The Abraham Miller Computer Center is opened and computer education becomes an integral part of each class' curriculum.

1987
The new Early Childhood Education wing is dedicated on April 26th.

1989
PTA donates two state-of-the-art playgrounds and new basketball courts.

A new addition is completed with 6 classrooms, a new library, computer center, resource and conference rooms.

1992
A ceramic tile Kotel is added to the front entrance; it is made by JDS students under the direction of Mrs. Debbie Sullum.

1994
JDS Students participate in the Israeli Independence Day celebration at Allentown City Hall.

The Middle School program begins, replete with lockers and an eight period daily schedule.

1995
Students, faculty and parents create an entertaining and educational Jerusalem 3000 program.

1996
The "Hebrew Resource Room" is developed in conjunction with Project Yachad and finds its new home at the JDS.

1997
The PTO enhances student life with the "Meet the Musician" program. PTO volunteers wire classrooms for computers. Shock absorbing tire mulch is added to the playground for safety.

1998
The Matzo Factory comes to JDS.

Middle School students attend a reception and meet Elie Wiesel.

2000
Fifth graders learn about the social pressures facing adolescents and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle through the D.A.R.E. program.

2002
The JDS holds its Premier Band Concert. First Torah Fair is held with community clergy forming the panel of learned judges.

After-school activities include Chess Club, JDS Voices, Arts and Crafts, Talmud and Yoga.

2003
Video-conferencing comes to the JDS.

2005
Sharon Fehlinger is named Head of School and former teacher, Abby Wiener accepts the position of Dean. The school repositions itself in the community as a "Community School".

2006
Spanish is added as an elective in the middle school, making it possible for our students to be tri-lingual. The initiation of the Bat Ami program takes place.

2007
Our 8th grade class participates in making the movie: Names not Numbers©, an oral history film project that preserves a small segment of the history of World War II and its aftermath. Our eight graders gained first hand knowledge by being paired with Holocaust survivors and Military personnel liberators.

2008
The JDS PTO assisted by a grant won by the administration funds the purchase of a National Weather Station for the science department. JDS receives a generous donation of our first SmartBoard for the Abraham and Minnie Miller Computer Lab and Classroom of the Future.

2009
Ellis Rosenberg is named Coordinator or Hebrew and Judaic Studies. The JDS hires our first Director of Admissions and Retention, Sara Schonbach. School offers elective courses to students in grades four through eight.