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Hebrew Day Institute Joins TI Family With School Year Launch.........posted Aug 7, 2008

Tikvat Israel congregants will offer a hearty welcome to its new extended family in late August. That's when the Hebrew Day Institute opens the 2008-09 school year in its new home ? the education wing of our synagogue.

HDI, now in its 35th year of operation as a Jewish community day school, begins classes in kindergarten through 6th grade on Monday, Aug. 25. Total enrollment for the new academic year has not yet been finalized.

All students will be greeted on Day 1 by the head of school, Madeline Rothbard, as well as the entire professional and teaching staff.

Rothbard likes to start off each school day at the car-pool lanes in order for each child to be warmly welcomed with a hug. Parents often ask for a hug, too, which colleagues say she is more than happy to deliver. This is her fourth year at the helm of Hebrew Day Institute, which is relocating from a site in Silver Spring.

Over the previous three years, Rothbard has instituted six new innovative, integrated curriculums, a major challenge. Her office is located on the second floor of the education wing.

During the coming weeks, TI members will likely see many new faces, young and somewhat older, along with a few familiar individuals who are current members and staff of Tikvat Israel. Three HDI staff members ? Renee Salzberg, Robin Lempert and Naomi Kaplan ? are members of Tikvat Israel.

Salzberg, HDI's advancement and admissions director, calls Hebrew Day Institute her second home. Her involvement in the school began a decade ago and her dedication to quality Jewish day school education is unmatched.

She believes the school's relocation to TI is "a win-win for everyone." Her office is on the first floor, just off the education wing lobby, and she says she welcomes visitors from the congregation.

HDI's security specialist is Bob Stewart. He has been at Hebrew Day Institute for more than nine years, often carrying a big smile on his face. Stewart worked as a Capitol Hill police officer for more than 25 years, serving for much of that time on a detail with the U.S. Secret Service. Stewart's love of baseball in his youthful days turned into a career as he spent a few years as a professional in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Said Salzberg: "We look forward to developing a strong community partnership with all of you in the weeks and months ahead."