A NOTE FROM MR. G

Chaverim,

You may have noticed recently that I have begun referring to our school as “The Joy Kramer Religious School of Congregation Or Ami”. I did not make up this name. Someone pointed out a small obscure plaque placed very high in the hallway dedicating the Religious School in her memory. Sometime along the way, this dedication was forgotten. I am happy to “rededicate” the Religious School in Joy’s name.

So who was Joy Kramer? I realize that most of you reading this did not know Joy. I was fortunate enough to have known her. Joy, along with her husband Bill, was one of the founders of Congregation Or Ami in 1972 and the first principal of its Religious School. I taught under Joy in those first few formative years when we scrambled to put together a curriculum that reflected the liberal polydox philosophy of early Or Ami. By profession, Joy was a brilliant, talented educational consultant – My wife, Ruthanne tutored for her Educational Consultants firm in the 70’s. And she was a real joy (pun intended) to work with. She exemplified all the values of warmth, acceptance, creativity, and fun that hopefully still resonate in our school.

Tragically, Joy was taken from us far too young in 1984. But this past year her daughter Terry joined Or Ami and her grandson Daniel was enrolled as a student in the Religious School. I’ve thought a lot about Joy this year and have asked myself in certain situations WWJD? (What would Joy do?) If there is a heaven, I would hope that Joy is looking down upon us with her ready, encouraging smile. I think she is.

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Recruitment of New Students

Do you know a family who might have children who would benefit from our exciting educational program? A new family in your neighborhood? A co-worker? A family you meet at the pool this summer? Let them know about Or Ami. Let them know that we have a school that is open, sensitive, and accepting to children with special needs, children from mixed marriages, children of all backgrounds. Let them know that Or Ami attracts members from all over the Richmond metropolitan area, that we’re only minutes from the West End across the Willey Bridge. Let them know that Or Ami is a child-friendly community, that you will find children of all ages at every Shabbat service, that babysitting is provided, Let them know that we have very active youth groups and that kids actually want to stay when class is over.

And then let them know that Education Director David Goldsmith would be very happy to give them more information. They can call him at home 740-0869 or email him at OrAmiSchool@gmail.com.

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2010-11 Religious School Registration begins

On the left side of this page you’ll find the 3-page registration form to enroll your children in the Joy Kramer Religious School. The form is also being sent via email to returning families.

You will notice that there is no increase in tuition from last year. As in the past, we are offering a $25 per student multiple-child discount on the second and third child enrolled in the family. We ask those who can do so to consider voluntarily donating back any discount to the Sack/Hirsch Scholarship Fund which is set aside to help those families who cannot afford to pay the full tuition for their children’s Jewish education.

For your convenience, the registration form has been redesigned so that families with more than one student to register only need to fill out one form. Student Registration form