My name is Zachary Zimmermann. I am 17 years old and a proud member of Mequon Jewish Preschool’s class of 2000. Not many 17 year olds are asked to speak about their preschool years, let alone remember them, which makes me an outlier of sorts. This goes hand in hand with the fact that MJP, undoubtedly an outlier, shines among the brightest of preschools, constantly challenging the idea that daycare centers are a place to store children until parents are done with work. Clearly the apple falls not far from the tree. Back in my day, the preschool was still headquartered in a small building on the south side of the parking lot with a small staff, some cubbies, and a few tables and chairs. Today, the bounds and leaps MJP has made in improvements are immense to say the least. Through the amazing staff, facilities, programs, parents and supporters, MJP has blossomed into a magnificent tree, reaching out to many more apples like myself than ever before.
While many of the physical aspects are different, the heart of Mequon Jewish Preschool has been the same since the beginning. Just look at the logo, it hasn’t changed. Three unique, colorful, silhouettes of children, representing what the preschool is focused on - the uniqueness of each individual child. Rivikie Spalter has dedicated so much time and effort into creating and improving upon the Preschool and has been fighting for it just as hard since day one. It is this commitment and passion that drives MJP and keeps it pushing to the next level. For example, just this year Rivkie has reached out to graduates like myself in order to create the first Mequon Jewish Preschool alumni group. This gives younger kids an opportunity to experience leadership roles and learn other important skills like teamwork through cooperation with other members, creativity through planning events and activities, responsibility by starting a project and seeing it to the end… The list goes on and on.
It may not be obvious at a glance but the creation of this group is very telling. One is not simply done with Mequon Jewish Preschool after they graduate. Mequon Jewish Preschool stays with you for life. The fact that I stand before you today, 13 years after my graduation, is a direct testament to the Preschools lasting impact on its students. And the kippah upon my head has been their every step of the 13 year journey. It’s actually kind of clever - I may have left the halls of MJP, but the preschool is still watching over me. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t escape Mequon Jewish Preschool.
It is impossible to build anything of substance upon a weak foundation and If there is one thing you can take away from this speech as a certainty, it is that Mequon Jewish Preschool has laid the bricks and mortar for my Judaism. It is clear to me that without such a dedicated group of individuals as Rivkie and her staff, I would not be half the yid that I am today. The reason I appreciate the Alumni group so much is that it not only allows me to find my way back to my roots, it allows me the opportunity to give back to my roots. So I wish to thank Rivkie Spalter for blessing this community with her love and dedication to every child that steps through the doors of MJP. Mequon would have a lot less apples without you. Thank you for all that you do. And I know that’s how each and every one of you in this room feels about this dinner as well. You hold in your hands a great opportunity, the opportunity to give back to Mequon Jewish Preschool, a place that gives so much to this community. Please enjoy the rest of your evening. Thank you for your time.
While many of the physical aspects are different, the heart of Mequon Jewish Preschool has been the same since the beginning. Just look at the logo, it hasn’t changed. Three unique, colorful, silhouettes of children, representing what the preschool is focused on - the uniqueness of each individual child. Rivikie Spalter has dedicated so much time and effort into creating and improving upon the Preschool and has been fighting for it just as hard since day one. It is this commitment and passion that drives MJP and keeps it pushing to the next level. For example, just this year Rivkie has reached out to graduates like myself in order to create the first Mequon Jewish Preschool alumni group. This gives younger kids an opportunity to experience leadership roles and learn other important skills like teamwork through cooperation with other members, creativity through planning events and activities, responsibility by starting a project and seeing it to the end… The list goes on and on.
It may not be obvious at a glance but the creation of this group is very telling. One is not simply done with Mequon Jewish Preschool after they graduate. Mequon Jewish Preschool stays with you for life. The fact that I stand before you today, 13 years after my graduation, is a direct testament to the Preschools lasting impact on its students. And the kippah upon my head has been their every step of the 13 year journey. It’s actually kind of clever - I may have left the halls of MJP, but the preschool is still watching over me. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t escape Mequon Jewish Preschool.
It is impossible to build anything of substance upon a weak foundation and If there is one thing you can take away from this speech as a certainty, it is that Mequon Jewish Preschool has laid the bricks and mortar for my Judaism. It is clear to me that without such a dedicated group of individuals as Rivkie and her staff, I would not be half the yid that I am today. The reason I appreciate the Alumni group so much is that it not only allows me to find my way back to my roots, it allows me the opportunity to give back to my roots. So I wish to thank Rivkie Spalter for blessing this community with her love and dedication to every child that steps through the doors of MJP. Mequon would have a lot less apples without you. Thank you for all that you do. And I know that’s how each and every one of you in this room feels about this dinner as well. You hold in your hands a great opportunity, the opportunity to give back to Mequon Jewish Preschool, a place that gives so much to this community. Please enjoy the rest of your evening. Thank you for your time.