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Impact TodayA REPORT TO THE COMMUNITYYour support of Jewish day school education today shapes our leaders of tomorrow. FALL 2023 | 5784Report to the CommunityLetter from the Menahel ............2Building Strong ConnectionsTorah Academy’s Rebbeim Embrace Cutting-Edge Mashgiach Training ............................................3Revitalizing Torah Academy’s Digital Presence A Reflection of Excellence. .........4 Investing in CommunityA unique investment fund finds the intersection between philanthropy and finance ........................................5IRA Charitable Rollover The last great tax break ..............6 INSIDE...

Report to the CommunityRabbi Shmuel Ochs MenahelRabbi Binyomin Mermelstein Executive DirectorMr. Sam Tarlin General Studies Principal, Boys’ DivisionMrs. Devorah Moskovitz Director of Preschool and Kodesh Educational Coordinator, Girls’ DivisionMrs. Dina Feldman General Studies Principal and Director of Student Support Services, Girls’ DivisionMrs. Chana Wallach Director of Student Support Services, Boys’ DivisionMrs. Ruth Gluckin Assistant Director of PreschoolThe success of a school year hinges upon our unwavering commitment to growth and progress. Guided by the sacred directive to ” ,“(educate a child according to his ways) we are inspired to continually enhance our educational methods and adapt to the ever-evolving needs of our students. In today’s rapidly changing and complex world, it is imperative that we equip our children with an increasingly refined set of tools, and endeavor to unlock their fullest potential.This educational philosophy has been put to the test recently against the backdrop of the Hamas attack and Israeli response. Many of our TA families have been impacted by the conflict in a direct way. Yet, our focus remains on the education and wellbeing of our 280+ students.This year, Torah Academy has made improvements across several facets of our institution. We have dedicated ourselves to advancing our academic programming by bolstering our support staff, introducing a hands-on science curriculum in the 1st and 2nd grades, and restructuring our General Studies professional development. Moreover, we have invested in upgrading our facilities, including installing new security fencing and windows at the Williston site, creating a new playground at the Hamilton site, and providing universal hot lunches for all our students.In this latest edition of our Impact Report, we are excited to showcase the extraordinary dedication of our Mashgichim, who are committed to forging personal connections with every student in the Boys’ Division. Additionally, you will discover the innovative “TA Housing Fund LLC,” an initiative that has played a pivotal role in assisting several educators in achieving homeownership, thereby enhancing their stability and impact on our school.We also extend to you a warm invitation to explore our newly redesigned website, which has been crafted to facilitate informed decision-making for prospective parents and provide a user-friendly platform for all members of our school community.We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering partnership and support as we continuously strive to raise the bar for our students. Together as a community, we are dedicated to the wellbeing of the Jewish people throughout the world, intent on setting a powerful example for our children. Thank you for being an integral part of our thriving community.Warm regards,Rabbi Shmuel Ochs, Menahel2

3It’s 6 p.m. on a spring Sunday evening. The school building, usually teeming with activity, stands quiet. Students and faculty alike are all enjoying the last few hours of their weekend. All, that is, except a dedicated trio of Rebbeim who are wrapping up their final class in a year-long Torah U’Mesorah Mashgiach Training Program.For three hours each Sunday, Rabbis Aharon Benmergui, Eli Kohn, and Reuven Sebbag met at school to join remotely with over 35 other like-minded educators from around the globe. Together, they learned from top mental health professionals and esteemed yeshiva educators. Now that school is back in session, they are turning their knowledge into action. The course’s purpose is straightforward: to teach educators how to foster strong connections with students. However, the curriculum is far from simple. The course places a heavy emphasis on self-esteem, grit and motivation, and also delves into understanding anxieties, OCD, ADD and ADHD. They incorporate psychological insights into chinuch in a cutting-edge approach in today’s complex world. Rabbi Kohn is quick to point out that their role as educators is not meant to replace that of psychologists. Rather, as mashgichim, their focus is on helping students. Approaching misbehavior with empathy rather than discipline, mashgichim become trusted mentors and confidants, capable of helping students with their struggles. Rabbi Benmergui explains how learning the psychology behind behavior is key to building trust: “When a student knows we understand him, and we are armed with the tools to help him resolve his conflicts, we become a trusted address for help.” Whether students grapple with behavioral issues, social-emotional difficulties, or require academic support, Torah Academy’s mashgichim are now equipped to recognize warning signs, provide support, and explore necessary next steps.Rabbi Shmuel Ochs, the esteemed menahel at Torah Academy and a veteran mechanech himself, recognizes the increasing significance of mental health training for educators. “Student anxiety and tension is much higher now compared to five to ten years ago,” Rabbi Ochs says. “People don’t feel as safe and secure as they used to. It is so important that we continue to invest in the emotional and social health of all students.”Rabbi Ochs envisions long-term benefits stemming from this investment. “There’s a lot going on in the brain of a child that we don’t necessarily see right away. A student might do fine in the younger grades, but as he gets older, trouble may surface. We need to deepen connections proactively so when this happens, they have a mentor at school to whom they can turn.” Building Strong ConnectionsTorah Academy’s Rebbeim Embrace Cutting-Edge Mashgiach TrainingIt is so important that we continue to invest in the emotional and social health of all students.

4With the completion of the Torah U’Mesora Mashgiach Training Program last spring, Rabbis Benmergui, Kohn, and Sebbag are already meeting daily with students, building a rapport, and getting to know each one. Their increased knowledge and awareness mental health combined with their unwavering dedication to building trust with TA students will shape an environment where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.As Torah Academy looks toward the future, the investment in the well-being of students remains a priority. With passionate educators, including its three dynamic mashgichim, the school stands firm in its commitment to fostering holistic growth and providing unwavering support for every student who walks through its doors.Revitalizing Torah Academy's Digital Presence: A Reflection of ExcellenceThe decision was to attend law school at either Columbia University or Harvard University. Daniel and Sarala Reich* were faced with this weighty, albeit privileged, decision. But there was also the challenge of finding the right school for their two children. On the one hand, they could continue to live a comfortable life in New York, close to family. On the other hand, they could venture to Boston for law school and new opportunities. As Torah Academy admissions staff will tell you, finding the right educational fit for their children is often a “make-or-break” factor for parents considering relocation. So, like many other couples weighing their options, Daniel and Sarala’s search for a Jewish day school started online. And, helping prospective families find answers was the impetus behind Torah Academy’s recent website redesign. “Online trends change quickly,” Mrs. Rachel Faibish, in her newly expanded role as TA’s Head of Marketing explains. “Our website was going on its fifth year, and we felt there so much more we could share about our school.” For Mrs. Faibish, a TA alumna and the mother of three TA students, the goal wasn’t simply to keep up with “online trends.” It was about portraying the richness and scale of the TA experience. Mrs. Faibish cared deeply about helping other parents find the right school for their children. Choosing to invest in the school’s website speaks to TA’s desire to seek out opportunities to rethink and innovate. As a result, when visitors land on the school’s new home page, they are met with smiling faces, a vibrant fresh design, and a plethora of easy-to-navigate information. While the site can’t solve the Reich’s “Columbia Blue vs. Harvard Crimson” dilemma, it does offer a powerful tool for enabling families to find the right school for their children. What’s a Mashgiach? A mashgiach is a spiritual mentor who serves as a role model to students, offering advice, inspiration, and practical guidance.Building Strong Connections (cont.)Visit our new website at www.torahacademy.us* Names have been changed.

5In Boston, the cost of living, and specifically housing, all too often outstrips the ability of educators to keep up. Several day-school educators who love living and teaching in Boston had a dream – to provide their families with a place to call home. Each of these educators had diligently saved for a down payment, but the ever-rising property prices in the city left them facing a daunting gap on their journey to homeownership. That’s where the “TA Housing Fund LLC” came into play.The Housing Fund has emerged as a beacon of hope for these families. Its primary mission is to bridge the financial chasm between their savings and the ability to make the substantial down payments required to secure a standard bank mortgage. The unique aspect of the housing fund is how it is structured. Quite simply, the housing fund provides the teacher with a significant downpayment, but does not require any payments for up to 30 years or until the house is sold. At that time, the housing fund would receive the principal investment back plus a portion of the house’s appreciation. This “impact investing” approach allows individuals to purposefully make investments that help achieve social and environmental benefits while generating financial returns. This is a compelling choice for philanthropists who want their funds to reflect their values and create a better world for future generations. TA’s role is to connect these impact investors with educators, creating a win-win scenario for all. The fund was the brainchild of Torah Academy’s Executive Director, Rabbi Binyomin Mermelstein. He saw the fund as an opportunity to not only help TA educators, but to build a scalable model which could potentially assist educators in other area day-schools and beyond. Rabbi Mermelstein is heartened to see his vision unfold. The fund has already assisted educators at both Torah Academy and Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael. Ari Sussman, a CJP Day-School Consultant, agrees there is a big advantage to working together as a community. “I’m really pleased that Rabbi Mermelstein partnered with another school in the community to prove that this fund can work across schools. We need to band together to solve this vexing challenge.” Jo-Ann Barbour, Director of Charlesview, Inc., a non-profit housing organization, which was an early fund investor, highlights a critical issue in the Allston Brighton housing market. She notes, “The challenges posed by investor purchases often lead to frequent turnover in rental units. The opportunity to invest in owner-occupied properties made this fund especially appealing.”Currently, the fund has raised $350,000 from a group of donors, investors, and lenders and continues to grow. This will enable it to help additional day-school educators achieve home ownership. Its creation and success prove that a community can unite to make a difference. Investing in CommunityA unique investment fund finds the intersection between philanthropy and finance

(617) 731-3196 • info@torahacademy.us • www.torahacademy.us Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostageBP Print GroupPAID11 Williston RoadBrookline, MA 02445Address service requested • To qualify, the transfer must go directly from your IRA to Torah Academy• Gifts made from your IRA (up to $100,000 per year) are not reportable as taxable income• New in 2023 – You can make a one-time charitable contribution of up to $50,000 from your IRA to a Charitable Gift Annuity or Charitable Remainder Trust and earn income based on your age.*The information provided is for general purposes only. When considering charitable gifts, it’s always recommended to consult with your professional advisors who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific circumstances.Support Torah Academy in a simple and easy way. If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can rollover up to $100,000 from your IRA to Torah Academy.*Take advantage of the last great tax break with your CharitableIRA Rollover.For more info, contact Rabbi Binyomin Mermelstein, Executive Director, at (917) 826-9637 or rabbimermelstein@torahacademy.us