JCDS celebrating 21st birthday with Vegas-style gala

The Jewish Community Day School in Metairie is all grown up, celebrating its 21st birthday at its “21 Fabulous Years” annual gala on Nov. 13 at Gates of Prayer. The event will start at 5:30 p.m.

According to Head of School Sharon Pollin, turning 21 is a big deal. “It is a milestone showing that one has a foundation of experience. Over the past 21 years, the JCDS has gone through years of discovery, growing pains and accomplishment,” she said.

“Consistent throughout was the mission of providing the best secular education within an environment that reinforced Jewish values, ritual and lessons,” Pollin said. “Now that the JCDS is 21, we are proud to say that we have a solid foundation with sound practices and a future dosed with innovative educational endeavors.”

Central to the 21 Fabulous Years event will be the honoring of Lis and Hugo Kahn, who have supported JCDS from its inception and have been instrumental leaders throughout its years. The Kahns have embraced the mission of Jewish day school education and have served on the board and in leadership positions. Lis, having served as board president from 2014 to 2016, now remains an active board member. The Kahns do not have any family that attend the school, but have supported it as if it were part of their family.

With the Day School turning 21, the gala will feature grown-up games, Vegas Style. The evening will be packed with gaming, kosher food, music, prizes and an open bar. There will be Blackjack, Craps, Poker and Roulette tables, raffles and an evening-ending series of progressive drawings for prizes.

21 Fabulous Years Gala honorary co-chairs are Lynne and Michael Wasserman, and Carole and Richard Neff. Wasserman currently serves as JCDS board president and Neff is board development chair. Barbara Kaplinksy, one of the founding parents of the school, serves as gala chair while also serving as board marketing chair.

There will be an extensive silent auction with plenty of jewelry, children’s art, and trips spanning the world, with airfare and deluxe accommodations in Sedona, Argentina, Tuscany, New York City, Monte Carlo, Venice, Israel, Costa Rica, China, and Jackson Hole, Wy.

There will be a number of progressive drawing and raffle items, including a Pelicans basketball package, a 7-day stay at a Sandestin house, an Adler’s gold bracelet, and a New York/Manhattan Embassy Suites weekend getaway.

For tickets or donations, visit here.