Charlotte Jewish Day School Receives $1,000,000 Endowment Toward Tuition Affordability

Charlotte Jewish News December 2021

By Gale Osborne

It is with great pride and gratitude that the Charlotte Jewish Day School (CJDS) received a $1,000,000 endowment gift, enabling more families in our community to have access to a life-changing Jewish education.

During the throes of the pandemic, Risa and David Miller and Stacy and Todd Gorelick, together created the Mariashi Groner Affordability Fund with the goal of making it possible for middle income families to provide a Charlotte Jewish Day School education for their children. Both the Millers and Gorelicks sent their children, who are all now in college or beyond, to CJDS. Their gift actualized their dream that all Jewish children in

our community have access to a CJDS education by making an affordable tuition program for all. Tuition is a tremendous burden for many families, particularly when they have two or more children enrolled in school. Families often grapple with trying to save for retirement or for college, and they are trying to be fiscally responsible. In the past, many families would not be able to qualify for a tuition grant as their income exceeded the traditional thresholds set for awarding tuition relief.

In announcing the gift, the Millers and Gorelicks named the fund in honor of school founder, Mariashi Groner. “By naming the fund, The Mariashi Groner Affordability Fund, we want to recognize the dedication and vision of CJDS school founder and director, Mariashi Groner. It is Mariashi’s vision and her belief in teaching the values of Torah and making them relevant for our children that we wanted to honor her this way. Mariashi has made it possible for hundreds of children in our community to become knowledgeable,

engaged Jewish adults around the world. Mariashi has been a leader in our community and her dedication and focus on the soul of each child have been a constant for the last forty years in Charlotte. We see how our children and our families have benefitted from the foundation created at CJDS. We believe that this gift of $1,000,000 in an endowment is just a start and will be an inspiration to others in our community who believe in the importance of Jewish education and for many whose children have benefited from a CJDS education to join us with a donation to the fund to increase the impact.”

This $1,000,000 endowment fund will generate approximately $45,000 in annual revenue to offset middle income affordability grants for family tuition. CJDS awarded over $600,000 in grants for the 2021-2022 school year alone. Tuition affordability allows the CJDS community to reflect the greater Charlotte community by creating a vibrant student body.

The Affordability Fund will be administered by The Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community (FCJC). Executive Director Phil Warshauer said “We are very excited for the Miller and Gorelick families, as well as the Charlotte Jewish Day School. Since I joined FCJC in 2006, this is the single largest endowment fund established by an institution that was not from a bequest or part of a building campaign. A gift of this size, made during the lifetimes of the donors, allows the two families to experience its benefits to the institution and the community. In working with David and Risa and Stacy and Todd over the years, I know this fulfills one of their dreams. The foundation is privileged to play a small part in the creation of this meaningful endowment.”

Stacy and Todd Gorelick have been longtime members of the Charlotte Jewish community. Their children, Henry (26), Adelaide (24), Jack (21) and Charlie (18), all attended CJDS for their elementary education. Stacy and Todd have both been on the CJDS board of directors at various times during the school’s 23 years as a community school, and Stacy now serves as the president of the CJDS board of directors. Stacy and Todd have been active leaders in the Charlotte Jewish community serving on the boards of The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, The Foundation of Shalom Park, The Levine Jewish Community Center, Temple Israel, and The Jewish Preschool on Sardis. Stacy and Todd have been involved in many non-profits and are active philanthropists in the greater Charlotte community.

Risa and David Miller moved to Charlotte in 1998. Their children Noah (21) and Jordy (18) graduated from CJDS. Risa is the incoming president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and served as president of the CJDS board of directors and as a board member of the Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community, the Jewish Preschool on Sardis and The Levine Jewish Community Center. Risa and David are engaged in upward social and economic mobility issues in Mecklenburg County.

Mariashi Groner said “For many years it was heartbreaking when we would have a family whose second or third child would be of age to attend CJDS, and they couldn’t afford the tuition and they wouldn’t qualify for any tuition offset. We would lose the family and the opportunity to provide a Jewish education to all the children. The Affordability Program changed the way we view tuition and the unique financial pressures of each family. Our hope is that our process is respectful and confidential. The generosity from the Millers and Gorelicks is a huge step in cementing this program at CJDS, and we hope others will join them in the effort because this recognizes the importance of Jewish education for every child.The Tuition Affordability Program has created a much more inclusive and well-rounded school community, reflective of the Charlotte Jewish Community.”

Charlotte Jewish Day School has been a community day school operating under the leadership of, Mariashi Groner, head of school, for 23 years. Mariashi, along with a team of dedicated educators, has built a school of excellence while staying true to its primary vision — it is about the well-being of each child and guiding them to become engaged, positive citizens of the world.

At CJDS, we hope that the tremendous generosity and leadership of the Millers and the Gorelicks motivates other families to invest in sustaining the CJDS mission for generations to come.

Todd and Stacy Gorelick family

David and Risa Miller family