With heartfelt admiration, we are pleased to announce that Lois Davidson and Emily Kern are this year’s honorees. These two incredible women have made a lasting impression on our school. They are both deeply committed to its mission, and their contributions to our community paved the way in
which teaching and learning continues at Levine today.
Lois served 35 years as Director of our Preschool. Hundreds of children and parents who walked
the halls throughout the years still remember her smile and her hugs. Throughout her tenure at Levine, her dedication and commitment to her students and her teachers never wavered. Her legacy continues as her daughter, Stephanie Taylor, serves as our Early Childhood Director, moving the program forward and keeping our students safe and happy during this challenging time. Emily began her involvement as a parent, sending her two daughters to the Preschool way back when. As her love for the school grew, she volunteered to take on the great responsibility of Chairing the Board of Trustees. Emily’s relationship with Levine has come full-circle as she now takes on the role of chairing the Grandparent Committee, participating as a member of the Board, and kvelling over her grandchildren who are now students at Levine! Their relationship began and flourished with children as the centerpiece. They met in the summer of 1973 when Lois was the director of the preschool day camp and Emily was the director of the older children’s day camp. They shared an office, not knowing then that they would be sharing lives and families for over the next 40 years. After the summer, Lois began teaching at Solomon Schechter, now Levine Academy. In 1978, she became Director of the preschool. During those years, Emily married and had her first child. Lois encouraged her to come visit the preschool and shortly after, Emily enrolled her child in the 2’s at Solomon Schechter. Lois encouraged Emily to volunteer at the school and she did and became more involved each year. She served on committees, the board, and eventually as board chairman (chairwoman). They created their very own family unit and became backyard neighbors. They celebrated Shabbat and all the other Jewish and secular holidays together. Their children would freely come and go in between their homes. They have always had a love, respect and understanding of childhood. Lois continued as Director for 35 years and Emily has a masters in social work and counsels children, adolescents and adults. Most importantly, they both have a strong commitment to children and to the importance of Jewish education. L’dor Va’dor
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