So They Can Surpass Us

Welcome

A letter from Dr. Sarah Shulkind & Lise Applebaum

In the early months of the 2019-2020 academic year, we had the joy and privilege of working with the community to draft our mission, our definition of why we do the work we do:

Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children become and how they help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the school we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.

We talked at length about the Hebrew word נצחוני (nitzchuny), which translates to “surpass” but also suggests “eternalize,” and how this complex meaning is deeply connected to the work of education. Our tradition imagines that when Adam and Eve stood in the Garden of Eden, they ate from the tree of knowledge not the tree of life; they knew, it was learning, the education of the future generations that would truly give them eternal life. Just look at our Milken alumni: Doctors on front lines battling the Covid-19 Pandemic, entrepreneurial leaders creating non-profits to serve the most vulnerable populations, innovators challenging the status quo in industries such as music, film, housing and technology. Our Milken graduates are creating a better world.

It strikes us now, that the concept of nitzchuny banay is also deeply connected to giving. You, our donors, give our Milken students so much more than generations before us could have ever imagined — a semester in Israel on the Tiferet Fellowship, a world-class robotics team in the Guerin Fab Lab, a school-wide, ruach-filled Shabbaton at Ramah.  You, our donors, give in the hopes that our children will surpass us, and when we look at our capable, ethical, responsible, accomplished alumni, we realize the wisdom of this investment. Your giving, whether to the Annual Fund for the here and now, or to Capital projects or the Endowment for the immediate and distant future, is a testament to how much you believe Milken Community School matters to your family and to the future of our world.

When COVID-19 came into our world, it was your giving that allowed us to pivot skillfully. It was your giving that provided the professional development for our talented faculty, your giving that enabled the technology and facilities improvements to get our campus safe and ready, and it was your giving that funded the extra tuition assistance necessary to help Milken families through these challenging economic times.

It is your ongoing contributions to Milken that set an example of commitment and generosity for our children, provide an exceptional Jewish education to our 700+ students, and help us build an endowment that will educate future generations. Your gifts to Milken Community School keeps on giving, for what our children receive from this community, they undoubtedly will give back in return.

Thank you for all you have given to build our School. Together, we will continue to grow Milken for our children and for the Jewish future they will create.

 

Warmly,

Dr. Sarah Shulkind
Head of School

Lise Applebaum
Board Chair

Read the full text of the letter

Mission

At Milken Community School, we think education is more than what you know. Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be.

Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.

7:1
RATIO

Faculty to student ratio

8
STUDENT-LED INITIATIVES

adopted by Milken administration

150+
FAMILIES

celebrated Shabbat Across Milken

60+
CHILDREN

received academic support through CAT, a student-created tutoring service

30
COMMUNAL

Shabbat dinners hosted by Jewish Studies teachers at their homes

127
LAWN SIGNS AND SPIRIT BAGS

delivered by faculty and staff to the class of 2020 graduates

51
STUDENTS

embarked on the Tiferet Israel Fellowship

Stories

Joey Freeman ’09: How Lessons from Milken Helped Inspire a Career in Politics

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As Joey Freeman ’09 strolls the corridors of power in California’s statehouse, he carries with him the lessons he absorbed during his middle and high school years at Milken. Joey, the chief deputy legislative affairs secretary to Governor Gavin Newsom, says Milken helped influence his decision to pursue a career in government and public policy. “Whether the issue was healthcare, immigrants’ rights or the environment, Milken made sure the Jewish values we learned manifested themselves in a commitment to social justice,” he says. “Those values still serve as guideposts that help inform the decisions I make in my professional life every day.”

Joey joined then-Lieutenant Governor Newsom in 2014, ultimately serving as his chief policy consultant focused on higher education, then taking on the role of policy director during Newsom’s successful 2018 gubernatorial campaign. In his current position, he works to advance the governor’s agenda in the legislature, collaborating with lawmakers on their bills and advising Newsom about how to act when those bills hit his desk.

“My early experiences in government go back to Milken, where I was president of the ninth grade class,” Joey says. “For each summer of high school, I interned for a member of the Los Angeles City Council. And I was president of the L.A. Youth Council, which allowed young people to meet with elected officials and make policy recommendations to the City Council. We created a chapter at Milken and at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights and developed a sister relationship between the two schools.”

In addition to providing him opportunities to cut his teeth in public service, Milken shaped Joey in other critical ways. He was part of the first class of students to participate in the Tiferet Israel Fellowship, a semester abroad program for Milken 10th graders. “I’d never been to Israel before, and it was a powerful trip,” he recalls. “Having Israel as our classroom was really incredible. As we studied the entirety of Jewish history, we would visit the sites where events actually occurred. It’s rare in high school to find immersive learning of that kind.”

After graduating from Milken, Joey went on to UC Berkeley, eventually running in and winning an election for student body vice president. He also became deeply involved in the campus Jewish community and still sits on the Berkeley Hillel board. “Reflecting back, I think there was a direct connection between my Tiferet experience and my ability to help ensure Jewish students felt safe on Berkeley’s campus,” Joey muses. “Having had the privilege of living in Israel for four months breathed life into my Jewish identity and made me a more effective advocate.”

Strengthening his ties to Judaism was one major part of Joey’s Milken experience; enabling him to build a cohesive and lasting community of support was another. “By and large, my best friends are all from Milken. We grew up together and share similar values, and we’re always there for each other in times of need,” he says.

In Joey’s view, Milken was the perfect place to mature into young adulthood. “There were elements of Milken that made it feel like Jewish summer camp – but one fused to a very college-prep-rigorous curriculum,” he says. “It was an amazing atmosphere, and I feel fortunate to have been a part of it.”

Challah Bake

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Kol Echad Virtual Performance

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Giving Tuesday: Photo Album

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Celebrating the Class of 2020

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Investing in our Students' Connection to Israel: Rich and Nurit Robin

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When Nurit and Rich Robin decided to send their daughters Eliana (Class of 2019), Yonit (Class of 2019) and Maya (Class of 2020) to Milken, they made a choice to prioritize a quality Jewish education. They also sought a way to imbue their children with the same love of Israel that first brought them together. As Rich recalls, “when we chose Milken, we recognized that the Tiferet semester in Israel program was a gift we wanted to give our children and it is what really distinguished Milken from all of the other good schools in the area.”

The daughter of an Israeli mother, Nurit grew up in New Orleans but spent significant time as a child in Israel. It was during her junior year abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem that she formed a more adult connection to the land – and also when she met Rich, who had moved to Israel from the US after college to join the Israel Defense Forces and had recently completed his service.

“Israel is a critical part of our Jewish identity, and we are proud Zionists,” Nurit says. “But even more importantly, we believe in the power of an excellent Jewish education to impact the future generation of young Jews.”

At Milken, Nurit and Rich work to accomplish both goals: advancing Jewish education and strengthening Jewish kids’ attachment to Israel. Through a contribution to Milken Community School’s Scholarship Fund to benefit Tiferet, they support a landmark program that empowers many Milken 10th graders to spend a semester at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel and experience their history firsthand.

The Jewish National Fund, who owns the Muss School, has generously agreed to match endowment donations dollar for dollar for Tiferet up to $5 MM. “The Jewish National Fund has made a unique investment in our community,” Nurit says. “Because after many years of partnership between Alexander Muss and Milken, JNF understands that by investing in Milken and our incredible students, they are investing in the future leadership of the Jewish community.” This past Spring, additional families including Milken grandparents have contributed a combined $2.7 MM in endowment funds directed to ensure the Tiferet program.

“When you walk the land, you come to love Israel in a way that cannot be achieved in a traditional classroom,” Nurit says. “Rich and I both had experiences in our lives that allowed us to connect to Israel physically, intellectually and emotionally. Israel is a complex country that illustrates the resilience of the Jewish people. To understand your people and your history is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. We wanted to help more students at Milken have such an opportunity.”

As it helps students develop their Jewish identities, Rich notes, Tiferet also equips them with essential tools for life beyond high school. “Kids who go on Tiferet return with a greater maturity and sense of self. The independence, group thinking and problem solving that are part of the program – and part of life in Israel – are all good preparation for kids who will be leaving home for college in a couple years,” he says.

Rich, an insurance company executive, and Nurit, a full-time parent who is trained as an attorney, feel grateful to be in a position to invest in Tiferet and in Milken. “If you want to help produce the next generation of literate and thoughtful Jews, and you have the ability to make a difference, we think the dividends are immeasurable,” Nurit says. “We have already seen several Milken families step up in a significant way to support this endowment effort, and we look forward to having more join us!”

Milken's Entrepreneurial Alumni Launch New Alumni Hub!

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As we look back on the year in Alumni Relations, there is so much to be excited about. Ross D. Mankuta, Milken’s Director of College Counseling & Academic Planning, added Alumni Relations and Strategic Partnerships to his portfolio in the summer of 2019 and the year has been marked by an excellent increase in alumni engagement and programming. As we approach Milken’s 30th anniversary, it becomes more and more apparent that we have built a truly remarkable community of alumni and alumni families over the years. With Ross’s leadership, we are striving to engage with these communities to ensure that their ties to Milken remain strong, and that their influence and connection to Milken will last for years to come. Ross works closely with two incredibly important volunteer groups, Milken’s Alumni Board, and the Alumni Parent Committee, both of which have been enormously influential in creating momentum in the last year.

Throughout the year Milken hosted regional alumni gatherings in Washington, DC, San Francisco, New York City, and Philadelphia that saw over 100 Milken alumni come together and connect in their home cities. Alumni also came together for an alumni focused Shabbat Across Milken with 60 attendees in November, a real estate networking event in December that saw over 50 attendees come together to learn and network, and several virtual events since April highlighting Milken alumni and friends of Milken in medicine, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and real estate.

During the COVID pandemic, alumni stepped up their engagement and provided critical support to the greater Milken community. In April, nearly 100 alumni co-hosted virtual chats for 20 unique colleges and universities with our college counseling department, providing valuable insights and experiences with Milken juniors and seniors, unable to visit campuses and yearning to learn more about institutions across the country.

Beyond that, two Milken alumnae supported our Alumni Relations office by creating a brand new Alumni Hub webpage. The Hub serves as a repository for alumni and alumni families to promote job hiring, services and resources being offered, and a “Masterclass” element to fellow alumni. Opportunities and posts on the Alumni Hub, already with nearly 400 members, have included job postings at Mayor Garcetti’s office, Google, MetLife, and even Milken, and resources have included therapy, podcasts for the special needs community, and COVID-19 related information for employees.

We are so proud of how far alumni relations has come in the last year, and are excited for continued growth and success for this important program.

The Avi Efraim Gesundheit Music Fund

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“We all have rhythm in our hearts.
Our hearts beat like drums.
The beat of our hearts is our rhythm.
Without the rhythm there would be no life.
Rhythm is life.”
—Avi Gesundheit

Avi Gesundheit (z”l), ’96, led an extraordinary life full of passion in making music. Nearly a quarter century later, the memory of his melody continues to inspire generations of Milken students through the Avi Efraim Gesundheit Music Fund.

Avi took up the saxophone during middle school at Milken, switching to guitar before landing, ultimately, on drums as his instrument of choice. A member of the high school jazz band, he and his friends Mike Lewis (z”l) ’96 and Brian Posalski ’96 also had their own garage band and would fill their houses with the sounds of spontaneous jam sessions.

Susan Gesundheit, Avi’s mother, remembers her son not only for his musical ability but also for the personal qualities that made him so beloved. “He was incredibly warm and had a big sense of humor,” she says. “He enjoyed participating at Milken, whether through music or joining the water polo team, and he was extremely well-liked there.”

A few weeks after his graduation from Milken in June 1996, Avi took a summer road trip with Mike Lewis to attend a Phish concert at the Red Rocks of Colorado. They were on their way to first see the Petrified Forest in Arizona and while driving outside of Flagstaff, a storm hit, leading to a fatal accident. Both boys were tragically killed.

To honor Avi, Susan and her husband Jaime established the Avi Efraim Gesundheit Music Fund, a gift in perpetuity to provide music enrichment programs for all students and faculty in the Milken community. “Jaime and I had been deeply involved at Stephen Wise, and we were part of Milken from its inception,” she says. “We had always been personally invested in ensuring its longevity, and this endowed fund for Avi seemed like a good way both to support the school and to make sure our son is never forgotten.”

Proceeds from the endowment help create opportunities for cross-curricular music education, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of music among diverse campus constituencies. “Some of Avi’s classmates at Milken are now parents who send their own kids to the school,” Susan notes. “We hope the fund serves as an example of how they might make contributions to advance Milken’s mission – and, at the same time, that it allows students to connect with how powerful music can be.”

That power has been prominent in the lives of people whom Avi touched. “Our daughter Daniela, Avi’s younger sister, was moved by his loss to become seriously focused on music as a career. She’s a cantor and a prominent indie music performer,” Susan says.

Whatever their personal or professional paths, Milken students who benefit from the Avi Efraim Gesundheit Music Fund continue to channel Avi’s spirit and celebrate his memory. “He’s really missed,” Susan says, “and we’re so pleased to have a forum that brings people together in his name.”

Thank you

Through our partnership with our lay leaders, we continue to instill Milken’s mission to our community: educating our students so they can surpass us. Thank you to the following people who committed valuable time, expertise and leadership through the year. We truly appreciate your passion.

BOARD OF
TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

Lise Applebaum Chair

Richard Sandler Vice Chair

Ken Gross Secretary

Leon Janks Treasurer

TRUSTEES

  • Rabbi Ed Feinstein
  • Sherri Fogelman
  • Dana Guerin
  • Lauryn Harris
  • Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas ’03
  • Scott Lieberman
  • Lowell Milken
  • Farid Pakravan
  • Sean Rad ’04
  • Nurit Robin
  • Ken Ruby
  • Richard Sandler
  • Anton Schiff
  • Nancy Schulman
  • David Shapiro
  • Daniel Tenenbaum
  • Janine Winkler Lowy
  • Rabbi David Woznica

Non-Voting Member

  • Chareen Kossoff

Past Board Chairs

  • Richard Sandler
  • Leon Janks
  • Aaron Leibovic

MILKEN PARENTS ASSOCIATION

Chareen Kossoff Chair

Desiree Bleet Treasurer

Mayrav Gaslin Communications

Sharona Novinbakt Volunteer Coordinator

Sigalit Khalili
Hospitality

Debra Siegel VP Middle School

Cheri Karubian VP Middle School

Dorit Cooper VP Upper School

Heather Dula VP Upper School

DOCENTS

  • Beth Baeck
  • Elana Banafsheha
  • Lisa Bani-Esraili
  • Holly Binafard
  • Heather Binder
  • Gigi Bloom
  • Miryam Cohen
  • Erin Dolkart
  • Mark Dorner
  • Revital Douek
  • Dana Ehrlich
  • Adeena Fitterman
  • Negin Gabayzadeh
  • Julie Getman
  • Jenni Hebert
  • Yifat Henn
  • Cheri Karubian
  • Mandy Lande
  • Ann Lieberman
  • Jennifer Lowe
  • Lori Moss
  • Ellie Pourbaba
  • Rabin Pournazarian
  • Mara Pressman
  • Tracey Raphael
  • Farnaz Refoua
  • Marie Ritz
  • Nurit Robin
  • Jiran Saevitzon
  • Lara Saltman
  • Marjorie Salvaterra
  • Debbie Sayah
  • Nancy Schulman
  • Melissa Shalit
  • Sandy Shohed
  • Ramona Simantob
  • Susan Smith
  • Stephanie Walsh
  • Hope Wintner Meisel

Annual Fund Volunteers

CO-CHAIRS

  • Lauryn Harris VP Development
  • Tamar Dolgen
  • Jonathan Goldin
  • Nazy Kohanim
  • Saul Smith

VOLUNTEERS

  • Andy Behrman
  • Joe Breckner
  • Erin Dolkart
  • Heather Dula
  • Dana Ehrlich
  • Adeena Fitterman
  • Karen Lazar
  • Gary Margolis
  • Rabin Pournazarian
  • Brad Pressman
  • DeDe Roussak
  • Lara Saltman
  • Jiran Saevitzson
  • David Siegel
  • Tanya Sorkin
  • Michelle Vogel
  • Stephanie Walsh

FACULTY & STAFF CO-CHAIRS

  • Dimitri Hodgkinson
  • Dr. Nick Holton
  • Ross D. Mankuta
  • Gala Zakai

GLA’s

  • Andy Behrman
  • Ann Lieberman
  • Tami Noriani
  • Alex Yedision
  • Angela Melmed
  • Talia Strauss
  • Elana Banafsheha
  • Roxane Golshan
  • Sharona Nickfardjam
  • Stephanie Walsh
  • Jill (Gigi) Bloom
  • Nooshin Heikali

FINANCE

  • Leon Janks Chair
  • Ken Gross
  • Scott Lieberman
  • David Shapiro
  • Anton Schiff
  • Lori Wolf

ALUMNI PARENTS

  • Julie Weil Co-Chair
  • Ken Gross Co-Chair
  • Aaron Leibovic
  • Susan Plutsky
  • David Smith
  • Aviva Carmy
  • Laura Grosz
  • Tamara Nikzad
  • Guitty Bolour
  • Annie Spar
  • Daphna Nazarian
  • Cheryl Davidson
  • Mahasti Tabibzadeh
  • Jennifer Trilling
  • Parham Zar
  • Shoshana Zar

AUDIT

  • David Woznica Chair
  • Leon Janks
  • Noah Michel
  • Ben Gross
  • John Fogelman

EDUCATION

  • Nurit Robin Co-Chair
  • Janine Winkler Lowy Co-Chair
  • Farid Pakravan
  • Sherrie Fogelman
  • Hope Winter(Meisel)
  • Lisa Mamos
  • Michael Berenbaum
  • Lowell Milken
  • Rabbi Ed Feinstein
  • Sean Rad
  • Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas ’03

GROUNDS

  • Daniel Tenenbaum Chair
  • Ken Ruby

ALUMNI BOARD

  • Nesim Hason
  • Leon Hason
  • Leore Ben-David
  • Carine Carmy
  • Maxine Malekmehr
  • Talia Bender
  • Hannah Berookhim
  • Idan Dolgin

DEVELOPMENT

  • Lauryn Harris

    • Development Chair

  • Tamar Dolgen
  • Sherri Fogelman
  • Jonathan Goldin
  • Nazy Kohanim
  • Farid Pakravan
  • Brad Pressman
  • Saul Smith

INVESTMENT

  • David Shapiro Chair
Expand full list

GIVING

Cash and pledges received July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020

Total Annual Fund
  • Parents$952,633
  • Alumni & Parents of Alumni$144,613
  • Friends & Foundations$34,463
  • Grandparents$15,540
  • Faculty/Staff$21,888
  • Total$1,169,137
Directed
  • Parents$18,000
  • Alumni & Parents of Alumni$221,096
  • Friends & Foundations$102,280
  • Grandparents—
  • Faculty/Staff—
  • Total$341,376
Endowments
  • Parents$1,250,000
  • Alumni & Parents of Alumni$36
  • Friends & Foundations—
  • Grandparents$50,000
  • Faculty/Staff—
  • Total$1,300,036
Total Fundraised Dollars $2,810,549
Constituency Total Annual Fund Directed Endowments
Parents $952,633 $18,000 $1,250,000
Alumni & Parents of Alumni $144,613 $221,096 $36
Friends & Foundations $34,463 $102,280 —
Grandparents $15,540 — $50,000
Faculty/Staff $21,888 — —
Totals $1,169,137 $341,376 $1,300,036
Total Fundraised Dollars $2,810,549

OPERATING COSTS

OPERATING EXPENSES

  • Financial Aid
  • Other Expenses

NET EXPENSES

  • Curriculum & Classroom Resources
  • Experiential Learning & Student Activities
  • Facilities & Security
  • General & Administrative
  • Salaries, Taxes & Benefits

OPERATING REVENUE

  • Tuition and fees
  • Experiential Learning & Related Fees
  • Fundraising
  • Other
Click on the graph to expand

OPERATING EXPENSES

20.3% Financial Aid
79.7% Other expenses

NET EXPENSES

72% Salaries, Taxes & Benefits
11.6% General & Administrative
7.7% Facilities & Security*
4% Experiential Learning & Student Activities
4.7% Curriculum & Classroom Resources

OPERATING REVENUE

93% Tuition and fees
2% Experiential Learning & Related Fees
4% Fundraising
1% Other
back

Honor Roll

Endowment Gifts

We want to extend our utmost gratitude to the supporters who contributed to our Endowment Funds, above and beyond making an Annual Fund gift.

Anonymous (1)
Susie & Jaime Gesundheit ♚✪
Ann & Scott Lieberman ♚
Nurit & Richard Robin +♚
Peggy & Edward Robin +✿

Benefactors’ Circle
($50,000+)

  • Anonymous (1)+
  • Neil Kadisha+✪
  • Dora Nazarian Kadisha+✪
  • Tracy & Jeffrey Kaplan+♚
  • Lowell Milken+♚✪
  • Nurit  & Richard Robin+♚
  • Peggy & Edward Robin+✿
  • Wendy & Ken Ruby+♚
  • Nancy  & Jay Schulman +♚✪

Head of School’s Circle
($25,000 – $49,999)

  • Anonymous (1)
  • Revytal & Simon Barlava
  • explore.org
  • Sherri  & John Fogelman ♚✪
  • Susie & Jaime Gesundheit ♚✪
  • Dana Guerin ♚
  • Ann & Scott Lieberman ♚
  • Kathleen & Laurence Paul
  • Ellen & Richard Sandler ♚
  • Sylvia & David Shapiro 
  • Karl Thurmond+♚✪
  • Jamie & Joseph Turquie
  • Janine Winkler Lowy ♚✪

Chai Circle
($18,000 – $24,999)

  • Anonymous (1)
  • Lise  & Dr. Robert Applebaum ♚✪
  • Lauryn Harris & Greg Pimstone ♚
  • Sharon & Leon Janks ♚✪
  • Stella & Farid Pakravan ♚
  • Sean Rad ’04 
  • Lauren & Anton Schiff ♚
  • Alexis & Jason Schutzer
  • Yael & Daniel Tenenbaum 

Visionaries’ Circle
($10,000 – $17,999)

  • Anonymous (2)
  • Linda & Maynard Brittan ✿
  • Drs. Amy Kusske & Jonathan Goldin
  • Bridget Hoffman & Rif Hutton ♚
  • Yael & Yoram Kochavy
  • Maryam & Josh Lieberman
  • Lisa & Benjamin Nissanoff+
  • Susan & Mel Plutsky ✪
  • Mara & Brad Pressman ♚
  • Niki & Dr. Charles Schwarz
  • Gloria & Benjamin Soleimani
  • Elizabeth & Michael Soroudi
  • Stone Family ♚
  • Carol Leifer & Lori Wolf
Expand full list

Champions’ Circle
($5,000 – $9,999)

  • Anonymous (1)
  • In memory of Robert M. Behrman
  • Tamar Dolgen & Sergio Bicas
  • Doris & Shahin Dardashty ♚
  • Susan & Jonathan Dolgen ✿
  • Debbie & Jonathan Feldman ♚
  • Elizabeth Kopple & Chuck Gillman
  • Inbal & Ron Gonen
  • Robert Herscu
  • Rebecca & David Kekst
  • Nazy & Frank Kohanim ♚
  • Melinda & Ken Lindner ♚
  • Naama & David Malka
  • Shiri & Joseph Mani
  • Marcia & Doug Mankoff
  • Courtney Mizel
  • Julie & John McNamara
  • Kathy & Tony Namvar
  • Rita & Dr. Fariborz Rodef
  • Michele & Scott Rosenfeld ♚
  • Dede & Peter Roussak
  • Laurie & Craig Silverstein
  • Susan & Saul Smith ♚
  • Renee Wolf
  • Matin Yadegar

Leadership Circle
($3,600 – $4,999)

  • Joana & Joe Breckner
  • Tarryn & Saul Breskal
  • Adeena & Wayne Fitterman
  • Eden & David Fox ♚
  • Sharon Rowe & Ken Gross ♚✪
  • Deborah Harris
  • Jenni & Dirk Hebert ♚
  • Rabbis Becky & Joshua Hoffman
  • Daniela & Kamran Kalpari
  • Azita Shadgoo & Ramin Khalili
  • Mandy & David Lande ♚
  • Stacey & Barak Lurie
  • Angela & Behzad Melamed
  • Paul Muller
  • Devora & Josh Neman
  • Julie & David Salomon
  • Lara & Robert Sarvian ♚
  • Elena & Victor Shaburov ✪
  • Dr. Sarah & Andrew Shulkind
  • Stuart Spencer
  • Dr. Elysa Kahan and Daniel Spiegel
  • Patricia & Jian Torkan
  • Gariann & Larry Weisenberg
  • Alex & Parham Yedidsion ♚

Supporter
($1,800 – $3,599)

  • Anonymous (1)
  • Ellie & Joseph Akhtarzad
  • Beth & Lawrence Baeck
  • Niloufar & Hamid Banafsheha ♚
  • Lisa & Hersel Bani-Esraili
  • Orly & Giora Bareket
  • Lori Bernstein
  • Judith Cymerman & Nathan Bernstein ♚
  • Shiva & Albert Berookhim ♚
  • Aram & Shahin Binafard
  • Wendy Binder & Jack Weissberg
  • Guitty Caroline Bolour & Michel Bolour
  • Tiffany & David Boxer
  • Sonya & Jonathan Brenner
  • Deborah Camiel
  • Nicole Mani-Chaim & Arik Chaim
  • Christy & Alexander Chaloff
  • Ellie & Albert Cohen
  • Karen & Brandon Cohen
  • Sharon & Sepehr Dardashti
  • Ailee & Jordan Dembo
  • Erin & Scott Dolkart
  • Michael Dorner
  • Michelle & Brad Ducorsky
  • Heather & Eugene Dula
  • Keren & Leonard Dunn
  • Dana & Scott Ehrlich ♚
  • Nina & Rabbi Edward Feinstein ✪
  • Lara Saltman & Itsik Figenblat ♚
  • Julie Fontaine
  • Cantor Tannoz Behremand Forzunfar & David Foruzanfar
  • Negin & Egal Gabayzadeh ♚
  • Mayrav & Glenn Gaslin
  • Shideh & Farhad Ghadooshahy
  • Allyson Kimmel & Jeff Golden
  • Kathryn Misrock & Adam Goldstein
  • Ilana & Zorik Gordon
  • Lisa & Joshua Greer
  • Nikki & Sean Hashem
  • Julie Hermelin
  • Amy & David Hochman ♚
  • Ashley & Patrick Javaheri
  • Shiri & Nir Kaufman
  • Sheila & Aaron Leibovic ✪
  • Sharon & Darren Lewin
  • Elina Madison
  • Yvette & Gary Margolis
  • Medtronic
  • Orley & Babak Melamed
  • Michelle & Joseph Moadeb ♚
  • Sheila & Ben Moghaddam
  • Mahin & Faramarz Moshfegh
  • Nataly & Sean Namvar
  • Shirin & Dr. Youram Nassir
  • Sharona & Farid Nickfardjam
  • Monika & Torag Pourshamtobi ♚
  • Nazila & Sean Rastegar
  • Shelley & Dorian Redding
  • Marie & Joshua Ritz ♚
  • Tatiana & Edward Rozenberg
  • Robin Jacobs & Schlomo Schmuel
  • Susan Goland & Russel Schwartz
  • Melissa & Dean Shalit ♚
  • Katrin & Rafi Shaoulian
  • Kathy & Shaun Shenassa ♚
  • Ramona & Ramin Simantob
  • Mara & Fred Simon
  • Tammy & David Slomovic
  • Sara & Benjamin Stern ♚
  • Gilda & Sam Torbati
  • Chitra Mojtabai & Clayton Townsend
  • Beverly & Rabbi David Woznica ♚✪
  • Lisa & Mark Yassinger
  • Niloufar & Avi Yroshalmiane
  • Sivan & Igor Zakai
  • Nazy & Kambiz Zarabi
  • Judith & Alan Zweig ✪
Expand full list

Community (Up to $1,799)

  • Anonymous (44)
  • Michael & Delaram Abaian
  • Howard Abel
  • Tahli & Daniel Abramovitch
  • Jonathan Abrams ’19
  • Juliet & Kayvan Abselet
  • Bella Zarotsky & George Adler
  • Homeira & Kourosh Aframian ♚
  • Marla & Behrooz Ahdoot
  • Gail Allinson
  • Nazy & Farid Amid
  • Daniel Arkin ’07
  • Max Aruj ’07
  • David Ashkenazi ’05 ♚
  • Kathy Bakshian
  • Linda & Jack Banafsheha ♚
  • Bank of America
  • Cheryl & Gregory Banton
  • Tal Marom Barak ’96 & Mory Barak
  • Matt Beesley
  • Beth & Bryan Behar ♚
  • Sharen & Behzad Bekhrad ♚
  • Bita & Mehrdad Bekhrad
  • Rabbi Elissa & Gal Ben-Naim ♚
  • Amie & Amir Ben-Yohanan
  • Sharona & Jimone Berookhim
  • Sonja & Paul Berrin
  • Margaret & James Bertisch
  • Patricia & Cory Bertisch
  • Donna Lynn Benesch & Andrew Biddle
  • Angella & Farhad Bina
  • Holly & Bob Binafard
  • Heather & David Binder ♚
  • Mojgan & Warren Binder
  • Desiree & Shawn Bleet
  • Deborah & Warren Blum
  • Carolyn Bourdeaux
  • Adam Blitz ’00
  • Samantha & David Bricker ♚
  • Doris & Glen Brunswick ♚
  • Valerie & Jason Carmona
  • Emily & Shlomo Carmy ♚
  • Dr. Melissa Randall & John Cefalu
  • Cindy Chun
  • Jill & Andrew Cohen ♚
  • Chrystelle & Charles Cohen
  • Karin & Eli Cohen
  • Pam & Mitch Cohen Kunick-Cohen
  • Nazanin & Ramin Cohen
  • Orit Cohen & Ronen Ben-Zion Cohen
  • Sarah & Sam Cohen
  • Ronald Coleman
  • Wendy & Michael Damico ♚
  • Sherly & Kami Daneshgar ♚
  • Doris & Ramin Daneshgar
  • Janet & Siamak Dardashty
  • Jennifer & Kenneth Davis
  • Nancy & Nick Davis
  • Shana & Evan Dienstag ♚
  • Talia & Israel Diner
  • Setareh & Dr. Saeed Dini
  • Jayne Dipsia
  • Matthew Donaldson
  • Tanya & Michael Dorff
  • Revital & Ilan Douek
  • Rabbi Tova Leibovic Douglas ’03  & Austin Douglas
  • Bonnie & Allan Duboff ✪
  • Afsoon & Cameron Eghbali
  • Urszula & Bruce Eisen
  • Jeri Rochman & Alan Eisner
  • Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh & Dr. Bruce Ellman
  • Nooshin & Afshine Emrani
  • Alex Endo
  • Andrea & Daniel Epstein
  • Mojgan & Abbey Esagoff ♚
  • Eshel Family Trust DTD
  • Denise Farahamd
  • Rachel & Parham Farahnik ♚
  • Faranak & Shahram Faridnia
  • Dr. Naghmeh Kerendian Farzadmehr & Dr. Ramin Farzadmehr
  • Tali & David Feldman ♚
  • Melanie & Lyle Fisher
  • Michelle Vannoy Foonberg & Steven Foonberg
  • Alexis Leland & Darren Franklin
  • Stephanie & David Frey
  • Gustavo & Dana Fridman
  • Rebecca & Friedman ’03
  • Andrea & Steven Friedrich
  • Rabbi Liat Yardeni-Funk & Mark Funk ♚
  • Sheila & Robert Furr
  • Sarit & Jeffrey Gandin ♚
  • Lea Garbe
  • Janene & Karl Gerber ♚
  • Karmela & Afshin Giladi
  • Limor Giladi-Bendor ♚
  • Sharon & Michael Gilardian
  • Jill Gilbert
  • Stephanie & Geoff Gold ✪
  • Ivonne & Daniel Goldberg ✪
  • Myra Model & Edward Goldberg
  • Karen & Ariel Goldenstein
  • Sheryl & Seth Goldman ♚
  • Michael Golsmith ’06
  • Roxanne & Joseph Golshan ♚
  • Tali & Daniel Gordon
  • Olivia & Phil Gordon
  • Amy & Lorin Green
  • Robin & Jonathan Greene
  • Karen & Steven Grey ✪♚
  • Michelle & Guy Grimberg
  • Nadia Beroukhim & Hercel Haghani
  • Sharona & Morad Hanasab ♚
  • Galit & Ron Harel ♚
  • Corine & Jonathan Hartman
  • Leon Hason ’05
  • Nesim Hason ’07
  • Dr. Shiva Golshani-Hebroni & Shahriar Hebroni
  • Betsy Newman & Howard Heitner ✪♚
  • Hilary Jacobs Hendel & Jon Hendel
  • Olivia & Sean Herstein ♚
  • Michele & Jim Hess ♚
  • Danya Berman & Nicolas Hill
  • Rabbi Sherre & Dr. Jeff Hirsch
  • Judy & Rand Holston ✪
  • Teresa & Nathan Humphreys
  • Karen & Eli Isaac
  • J.B. Berland Foundation♚
  • Adi Jakubovits ’02
  • Stacey Jasper ’03 ♚
  • Shideh & Pascal Javaheri
  • Christine & Alfred Johnsen
  • Marla Stone & Scott Johnson
  • Keili & Shane Johnson
  • Lindy & Ron Kadouri ♚
  • Stanley Kahan
  • Laura Collura Kahn & Gabriel Kahn
  • Rachel & Aaron Kahn
  • Orly & Alan Kattan
  • Rachel & Brian Kaplan
  • Cheri & Dr. Frederick Karubian
  • Lilian & Maurice Kashfian ♚
  • Melanie Katan
  • Orly & Alan Kattan
  • Elizabeth Kattler ♚
  • Gregory Kay ’01 ♚
  • Susan Bloch-Kay & Stephen Kay ✪
  • Sharona & Abner Kermani ♚
  • Robert Kessel
  • Ellie & Dr. Sam Khorsandi
  • Carmelle Kiesler ’05
  • Liat & Yuval Kijel
  • Stacee King Hollman
  • Deborah & Lance Klein
  • Maxine & Gary Kleinman
  • Jessica & Mark Kligman
  • Sarah Klinger
  • Margaret & Richard Knolla
  • Tina & Eddie KohanHaleh & Dr. Shahrokh Kohanim
  • Ellie & Hooman Kohankabir
  • Lois & Steve Kolker ♚
  • Joel & Teri Katz Kornfeld
  • Chareen & Drew Kossoff ♚
  • Karen Koulegeorge
  • Evie Kraft ✪♚
  • Hannah & Marshall Kramer ✿
  • Mason Kroll ’10 ♚
  • Barbara Krost & Jacqueline Rimler
  • Mehry & Yousef Lalezarian ♚
  • Dana & Ilan Lavian ♚
  • “Sheila Zola Burman & Richard Laurence “
  • Shelley & Paul Lawrence ✪
  • Karen Lazar
  • Mihaela Balica & Alex Lebecki
  • Jacqueline & Stephen Leff ♚
  • Kim & Amos Legerman ♚
  • Stephanie Leifer
  • Jennifer & David Lerner
  • Andrea Levine
  • Dr. Pamela Abramson-Levine & Michael Levine
  • Ilyse & Ronen Levy
  • Orit & William Lippman
  • Allison & Mark Littlestone
  • Avril & Dwayne Love
  • Jennifer & Eric Lowe ♚
  • Denise & Rob Lubow
  • Samantha & Dr. Apollo Lupescu
  • Mojgan & Dariush Maddahi
  • Karen & Dr. Brian Frid-Madden
  • Kathy & Michael Mahgerefteh
  • Navid & Fred Malekmehr
  • Ronen & Dr. Shaun Malekmehr
  • Naghmeh & Mousa Manzour ♚
  • Jeff Marks
  • Dr. Shahrzad Cohen-Marouni & Kamyar Marouni
  • Davina Massey
  • Julie & Steve Mayer
  • Lailee & Bassirat Mayer
  • Neda & Ben Mehdizadeh
  • Drs. Shirin & Shawn Mehrian
  • Hetty & Gil Melmed ♚
  • Marcy & Frank Melton
  • Negar Salim & Ramin Messian
  • Haley Miller
  • Michael Miller
  • Paul Miller
  • Marla & Keenan Milner
  • Gita & Daniel Mossighi
  • Sharona & Shlomi Nahum
  • Bobby Nassirzadeh
  • Sepideh Hersel Nehorayan & Fred Nehorayan ♚
  • Sepideh & Behzad Neman ♚
  • Netflix
  • Maggie Mahboubian-Noorani & Morris Noorani
  • Tamara & David Noriani
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Natali & David Noudel ♚
  • Caroline & David Nourafshan ♚
  • Shirley & Ronen Nourian
  • Farhad Novian
  • Farnoush & Ronnie Novian
  • Frank Nozar ♚
  • Pamela & Gerald Offsay ✪
  • Henry Ohebshalom
  • Wendy & Fred Ordower ✪♚
  • Gregg Orloff ♚
  • Leigh Orloff ♚
  • Vered & Pejman Pakravan
  • Ann Christine Svedberg & Richard Panzer
  • Missy & Stephen Parmelee
  • Robin & Larry Permaul ♚
  • Wendie & Stephen Ploscowe
  • Soheila & Kaveh Pourmorady
  • Lora & Rabin Pournazarian
  • Susan & Joshua Pretsky
  • Barbara & Leon Protass
  • Harriet & David Rabinek
  • Sunny & Daryoush Rad
  • Whitney Rae & Nader Kohanzad
  • Jody & Juan Ramirez ♚
  • Farnaz & Maurice Refoua
  • Nora & Moris Refoua
  • Bahar & Gregg Rinsler
  • Rebeca Farca & Jorge Rivera
  • Gail & Fredric Rollman ✪♚
  • Lisa Rosenbloom
  • Patricia & Andrew Rosenfeld ♚
  • Deborah & Jody Rubin
  • Judith & Jonathan Rubin ✪
  • Laura & Marc Rudajev
  • Afsoon Hamid & Don Ryan ♚
  • Sholeh & Bahram Saba
  • Blair Sabol
  • Jiran & Brett Saevitzon
  • Juliana & Ramin Saghian
  • Santa Barbara Adventure Company
  • Maxine & Dr. Arnold Scheer ♚
  • Leonora & Harold Schloss ✪
  • Jackie & Eric Schreiber ♚Adriana & David Schwartz
  • Mele Liss & Jeff Schwartz
  • Dr. Kimberly & Victor Schwartz ♚
  • Debbie & Steve Seidel ♚
  • Katrin & Dean Shabbouei
  • Bita & Azad Shalom
  • Juli & Charles Shamash
  • Rachel Shapiro
  • Rabbi Jacqueline Redner & Dr. Scott Shapiro
  • Sarah Shapiro ’02
  • Ronit & Shawn Sharafian
  • Harriet & Bernard Shavitz
  • Dr. Gina & Michael Shayefar
  • Estela & Moris Shemian
  • Adam Sherman
  • Tzipi & Keyvan Shirazi
  • Sandy & Farshid Shohed ♚
  • Elvira Cordova & Yuval Sidov
  • Deborah Siegel
  • Debra & David Siegel
  • Dylan Siegel ’24
  • Jack Siegel ’22
  • Jordana & Daniel Signer
  • Bonnie & Alan Silverstein
  • Valerie & Craig Simms
  • Jodi Simon
  • Nazila & Mehran Sina ♚
  • Meredith Skodnik
  • Monica Slack
  • Racquel Bieda & Mark Small
  • Christopher Smith
  • Sandra Smokler ♚
  • Lori Moss Sobel & Brad Sobel
  • Anat & Gil Soha
  • Dr. Sepideh & Shahram Soleimani
  • Tanya Sorkin
  • Beth & Jeffrey Sosnow
  • Michelle & David Spiegel
  • Perach & Michael Stark
  • Helen Muhlmeister & Norman Stein ♚
  • Rachel & Todd Steinman
  • Linda & Jason Stern ♚
  • Sharon & Charlie Subero
  • Rachel Kramer & Scott Sweet
  • Susan & Michael Tabibian ♚
  • Debbie Taus-Kahn
  • Sharona & Kamran Tavakoli ♚
  • Katy & John Tishbi
  • Lisa Torban
  • Jane & Lawrence Ulman ✪♚
  • Justine Ungaro
  • Joanne & Boris Vaisman
  • Jacqueline Hamilton & David Valentine ✪
  • Michelle & Peter Vogel
  • Barbara & Richard Von Zerneck
  • Elana Vorspan ’97
  • Stephanie & Allan Walsh
  • Warner Bros. Entertainment ♚
  • Pia Malaney & Eric Weinstein
  • Leon Weisbord
  • Kristin & Jeremy Weiss
  • Nancy Derwin-Weiss & Michael Weiss
  • Ronald West
  • Donna & Gary Weyman ✪
  • Marvin and Dale Witkin
  • Amanda & Gary Wolf
  • Bita & Cameron Yadidi
  • Naghmeh & Mike Yaghoubi
  • Yahoo!
  • Einat & Oren Yohanan ♚
  • Gali & Daniel Ziv
  • Karolin & Kourosh Zoghi
Expand full list

Faculty & Staff (Alphabetical)

  • Anonymous (13)
  • Sonny Ahad ♚
  • Miguel Alferez
  • Armando Alvarado
  • Jessica Alyesh
  • Delphine Anaya
  • Wellington Andrees ♚
  • Antonio Arevalo
  • Silvia Badgen ♚
  • Tal Barak ’96
  • Nancy Barber ♚
  • Anat Ben-Haim ♚
  • Rabbi Gordon Bernat-Kunin ♚
  • Smadar Bezalel ♚
  • Gabriel Bitto
  • Steven Bloom ♚
  • Tarryn Breskal
  • Dr. David Brown ♚
  • Joyce Brown
  • Shimeka Bruton
  • Kristin Butterworth
  • Brian Byrne ♚
  • Carolyn Camras ♚
  • Mika Cigic
  • Carolyn Collins
  • Robert Coombs
  • Renee Crane
  • Elizabeth Crawford
  • Elda Dagan ♚
  • Limor Dankner ♚
  • Monica Daranyi ♚
  • David Dassa ♚
  • Jessica DeLisi
  • Jennifer Dollins ♚
  • Cynthia Dominguez
  • Ryan Drobnick ♚
  • Marta Drubach ♚
  • Bonnie Ebner ♚
  • Sarah Farkas ♚
  • Zoaya Fatima
  • Dr. Leigh Fauber ♚
  • Rabbi Shawn Fields-Meyer ♚
  • Sarah Figoten
  • Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein
  • Whitney Fisch
  • Elyse Flier ♚
  • Jorge Flores
  • Vivienne Friedman ♚
  • Andrea Frostholm
  • Harrison Gallway
  • Katey Garnick
  • Jeffrey Gernes
  • Limor Giladi-Bendor ♚
  • Lena Gorohovsky
  • Max Greenberg
  • Ingrid Guth ♚
  • Michelle Hansen
  • Iris Harel ♚
  • Adrianne Harris
  • Anat Havkin ♚
  • Wendy Hawkins ♚
  • Caren Heller
  • Hilary Hellman
  • Felicia Hellman
  • Sean Herstein
  • Dimitri Hodgkinson ♚
  • Dr. Nick Holton ♚
  • Alison Howard-Smith ♚
  • Nathan Humphreys
  • Edwin Hurtado
  • Barbara Iversen ♚
  • Jessica Jackson
  • Minor Jimenez
  • Noah Jones
  • Lindy Kadouri ♚
  • Margo Karlin
  • Ari Karpel
  • Elizabeth Kattler ♚
  • Nicol Katzir
  • Shelley Kierman ♚
  • Carmelle Kiesler ’05
  • Pauline Kim ♚
  • Jason Kim-Seda ♚
  • Dikla Krems
  • Karen Laibow ♚
  • Deborah Lanino
  • Nicole Leslie ♚
  • Beau Lindsay ♚
  • Maria Liran
  • Mele Liss
  • Carlos Lopez
  • Ira Madnikoff
  • Charlie Mahoney
  • Jessie Mallor
  • Ross Mankuta ♚
  • Jerome Martin ♚
  • Tatianna Massaro
  • Nehama Meged
  • Alex Meier
  • Alexander Mendez
  • Phyllis Myers
  • Gabriel Meyerson
  • Brenna Miller ♚
  • Alexandra Miller
  • Lilit Minasian ♚
  • David Miyawaki ♚
  • Thomas Moran♚
  • Zechariah Morrow
  • Mary Ellen Mortimer ♚
  • Esmerelda Munoz
  • Alexis Newman
  • Wendy Ordower ♚
  • Deborah Orlik
  • Leigh Orloff
  • Efrain Ortega
  • Cristopher Padilla
  • Rob Painter ♚
  • Stephen Parmelee
  • Cynthia Patterson ♚
  • Jocelyn Plant
  • Kate Price
  • Rami Raff ’01
  • Tanner Ragland ♚
  • Philip Rainer ♚
  • Jody Ramirez ♚
  • Michael Rayhan ♚
  • Jorge Requejo
  • Marc Rudajev
  • Dr. Caitlin Rutherford
  • Rabbi David Saiger ♚
  • Alexandra Sandoval
  • Chris Scarlata ♚
  • Rabbi Neal Scheindlin ♚
  • Lauren Scheloske
  • Lauren Schiff
  • Andrea Schpok
  • Samantha Schreiber
  • Dr. Kimberly Schwartz ♚
  • Damon Scoville ♚
  • Valerie Shane ♚
  • Sarah Shapiro ’02
  • Gary Shapiro
  • Stephan Shapiro
  • Kathy Shenassa ♚
  • Dr. Sarah Shulkind
  • James Silbert
  • Nathan Silver
  • Leora Smith
  • Debra Sokolow ♚
  • Daniel Spiegel
  • Adam Steele ♚
  • Walter Steele ♚
  • Lisa Steenport ♚
  • Linda Stern ♚
  • Chelsea Takaki
  • Sirida Terk
  • Jorge Tirado ♚
  • Lidia Turner ♚
  • Julie Whitmer
  • Bibiana Yap ♚
  • Gala Zakai
  • Adam Zopf
Expand full list
  • ♚ 5 or more consecutive fiscal years of giving as of 6/30/2020
  • ✿ Grandparent
  • ✪ Alumni Family
  • Board of Trustees
  • + Combined giving to Annual Fund & Strategic Projects

WELCOME

A letter from Dr. Sarah Shulkind & Lise Applebaum

In the early months of the 2019-2020 academic year, we had the joy and privilege of working with the community to draft our mission, our definition of why we do the work we do:

Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children become and how they help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the school we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.

We talked at length about the Hebrew word נצחוני (nitzchuny), which translates to “surpass” but also suggests “eternalize,” and how this complex meaning is deeply connected to the work of education. Our tradition imagines that when Adam and Eve stood in the Garden of Eden, they ate from the tree of knowledge not the tree of life; they knew, it was learning, the education of the future generations that would truly give them eternal life. Just look at our Milken alumni: Doctors on front lines battling the Covid-19 Pandemic, entrepreneurial leaders creating non-profits to serve the most vulnerable populations, innovators challenging the status quo in industries such as music, film, housing and technology. Our Milken graduates are creating a better world.

It strikes us now, that the concept of nitzchuny banay is also deeply connected to giving. You, our donors, give our Milken students so much more than generations before us could have ever imagined — a semester in Israel on the Tiferet Fellowship, a world-class robotics team in the Guerin Fab Lab, a school-wide, ruach-filled Shabbaton at Ramah.  You, our donors, give in the hopes that our children will surpass us, and when we look at our capable, ethical, responsible, accomplished alumni, we realize the wisdom of this investment. Your giving, whether to the Annual Fund for the here and now, or to Capital projects or the Endowment for the immediate and distant future, is a testament to how much you believe Milken Community School matters to your family and to the future of our world.

When COVID-19 came into our world, it was your giving that allowed us to pivot skillfully. It was your giving that provided the professional development for our talented faculty, your giving that enabled the technology and facilities improvements to get our campus safe and ready, and it was your giving that funded the extra tuition assistance necessary to help Milken families through these challenging economic times.

It is your ongoing contributions to Milken that set an example of commitment and generosity for our children, provide an exceptional Jewish education to our 700+ students, and help us build an endowment that will educate future generations. Your gifts to Milken Community School keeps on giving, for what our children receive from this community, they undoubtedly will give back in return.

Thank you for all you have given to build our School. Together, we will continue to grow Milken for our children and for the Jewish future they will create.

 

Warmly,

Dr. Sarah Shulkind
Head of School

Lise Applebaum
Board Chair