The Jewish Day School

Leading an Authentic Jewish Life

There has always been a special connection the founding families of JDS have had with each other. My classmates and I from the first graduating class in 1987 know it too. There’s just a strong feeling of respect, friendship and a sense of accomplishment collectively for launching JDS and helping the school become what it is today as it celebrates its 30-year anniversary.

Since graduating JDS in ’87, I personally went to Mercer Island High and graduated in 1991. I then went to UW and graduated in 1996. My 5-year college experience allowed me to be the sports editor of The Daily, the UW student newspaper, for 2 years and I finished with a major in editorial journalism and minored in business. I started a telephone marketing business with some friends in my senior year while working part-time for the Supersonics and taking an internship with The Sun newspaper in Bremerton. I then launched into the real estate business full time a few years later and currently have an established business selling residential and investment real estate in Puget Sound. I married my high school sweetheart in 2001 and we now have two boys, Jesse (age 6) and Will (age 3). They are both in the EEU school at the UW and we are active members of Kavana in Seattle.

As for how JDS has influenced me, it’s really very simple. It gave me the foundation for leading an authentic Jewish life. I feel comfortable in a leadership role like running a Passover Seder as well as teaching my kids the importance of being good Jewish boys. There are many stories I recall from my JDS student days and some of the best are still the field trips to Camp Indianola and the Science Fairs at the old gym. Morah Michael, our late Science teacher, and Morah Donna (who’s still teaching at JDS!) were definitely two of my favorite teachers.

I am very proud to says the letters J-D-S when thinking back about my own education and my family and I will always love The Jewish Day School. Congrats to all the families, past and present, and all the administrators, teachers and donors for helping JDS flourish as it hits 30 Years. Mazel Tov!!!

-Russ Katz, Class of ‘87