One People, One Heart

When the B'nai Yisrael were camped by Har Sinai in anticipation of receiving the Torah, we were, as Rashi comments, "K'ish echad b'lev echad" — like one person with one heart. We didn't happen to be unified as a nation because we received the Torah; rather we received the Torah because we were unified. Just as achdus — unity — was the prerequisite to reaching our nation's highest point, the absence of unity has sunk us to our lowest points, namely the destruction of our Batei Mikdash due to our baseless hatred of one another. We're fortunate to live in a community where so much effort and focus is directed towards achieving unity, and hope that it makes us stronger as a nation and ushers in the days of the Mashiach and our ultimate redemption.

On a smaller scale, unity and cooperation are critical to the success of KHDS. We are strong because we operate as one unit, regardless of our backgrounds or departments. Our institution thrives not despite our differences, but rather because of them — with our opinions and strengths complementing one another, each individual an important part of the whole. Maybe that's no surprise to anyone, since we are all committed to the same mission.

What may be surprising to know is that we draw strength and receive guidance from many other schools and institutions across the country, as well. Facilitated by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, we regularly collaborate with all of the local schools and many local synagogues. We share ideas, resources, and advocate for funding allocations as a unified group. Teach Florida joins KHDS with Jewish day schools across the state, so that we are strong and unified in advocating for the same clear issues in Tallahassee. Through the Orthodox Union, we are able to advocate for KHDS in that same way in Washington D.C., as part of an even larger but just as cohesive group.

I am proud to represent KHDS in several professional organizations such as Torah U'Mesorah, National Business Officers Association, Torah Educators Network and the EDS National Board, the Step Up for Students Principals Advisory Council, and others. In these groups we are not competing with one another. Rather, we collaborate with each other, share ideas, offer advice, and ultimately make all of our schools better for the sake of our children.

For KHDS to succeed as an institution, we need the valuable input of many individuals. I invite you all to join our team and share your skills, talents, resources, and invaluable time and energy with us. We truly appreciate everyone who is already giving of themselves and I look forward to meeting with anyone else looking to share their unique abilities with our school. As a single unit, "k'ish echad b'lev echad", there is no limit to what we can accomplish for our children.