Mandel JDS Unveils New Logo

Mandel JDS: New Logo, New Sign, Same Innovative Education

A palpable feeling of excitement overtook Mandel JDS students and teachers as they trickled into the building on Friday morning, walking under a brand new sign for the first time. The new logo and sign are just two of many changes coming to the school on the heels of the transformative 17 million dollar gift received from the Joseph and Florence Mandel Family Foundation.

The logo was officially unveiled to the staff and student body during an all-school assembly on Friday afternoon. Each student was given a t-shirt with the new logo emblazoned on the front, symbolizing the unity of the Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School. In addition, parents, board members, and community leaders came to show support for the new changes going on at the school.

“While the name on the building has changed, what’s inside the building remains the same,” explained Jerry Isaak-Shapiro, Head of School.

“Genuine Jewish pluralism; rigorous, creative and individualized instruction; a values-based curriculum – these have always been and remain the foundation of this essential school, the only Jewish Day School that truly reaches out to the entire community.

The new logo, a crest that includes the Hebrew letter Mem along with a series of olive branches, communicates the commitment to rigorous academics and a Jewish worldview that is diverse, positive and strong.

“I’ve been going to this school for eight years, and it’s always been called Agnon,” said Brayden Kellner of the 8th grade. “While it was a little hard to get used to, in the end, we all know it’s worth it, because the changes that are coming are truly exciting.”

As a result of the transition from Agnon to Mandel JDS, teachers and students have received new e-mail addresses that end with @MandelJDS.org. The Website, MandelJDS.org, has also been updated to reflect the new changes.

About the Mandel Jewish Day School

Founded in 1969, Mandel JDS is Cleveland’s first Jewish day school accredited for educational excellence by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). The school also exceeds Ohio education standards for all core curricular subjects. Originally The Agnon School, in August 2015 the name changed to Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School, in appreciation of a $17,050,000 grant. While the name is new, blending superior general academics and Jewish studies remains central to the school’s mission, as does teaching to a broad spectrum of learners. Open to the entire Jewish community, Mandel JDS enrolls more than 350 students, 18 months – 8th grade, from diverse Jewish backgrounds.