Solomon Schechter Closing Its Doors

July 23, 2009, Boynton Beach, FL – After eight years in operation, Solomon Schechter Day School of Palm Beach County (SSDS-PBC) has announced it is closing its doors.

Despite having had a new Head of School, Michelle Konigsburg, who started weeks ago, a full Kindergarten class with a waiting list, and a projected enrollment rate 40% over last year’s, the school has become another victim of a difficult economy.

The school’s primary donor announced he was unable to continue his contributions to the school, and other donors have needed to reduce or eliminate their contributions forcing Solomon Schechter’s Board of Trustees to make a business decision.

Shelly Gross, former President of SSDS-PBC’s Board of Trustees said, "We simply cannot thrive without the financial support of our community. And many of our greatest contributors are struggling to make ends meet and to help their own families." Gross added, "Our focus now has to be solely on helping our families and staff members find alternative options. We have to and will do what we can to help them as quickly as possible."

The school has been notifying parents and staff members of the closing through a series of letters and meetings. The new Head of School, Michelle Konigsburg, is even volunteering her time to meet with families and staff members to try to find alternative arrangements for them.

About Solomon Schechter Day School of Palm Beach County

SSDS-PBC opened its doors in Boynton Beach, FL, in August 2008 above Temple Torah. The school had relocated from Boca Raton, FL, where it had opened its doors in August 2001. The school has been a charter affiliate of the Solomon Schechter Day School Association of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and a Grantee School of the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education. The school was recognized by Palm Beach County and Florida Atlantic University in April 2009 as a "Green School of Promise".

For more information, contact Shelly Gross at