JAO open to explore all options concerning future

Dear Editor:

We have received questions about the articles which appeared in last week’s Heritage regarding Jewish Academy of Orlando, including one proposed plan that suggests Jewish Academy of Orlando (JAO) will be moving from its current building. We want to address this directly as we reiterate our commitment to a vibrant and financially sound Jewish community for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

JAO’s lease term runs to year 2027 to house our much beloved K-8th-grade day school. We only want success for the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando and greatly value our relationship with it and the other community agencies. We look forward to having an active role in any discussions about the future of our combined campus.

This proposal is just one of several preliminary conversations to address the Federation’s long-term debt, the rest of which have not been published in the Heritage. Jewish Academy of Orlando has communicated to the Federation that it is open to exploring all options to address these issues. JAO will continue to provide its students with a first-class education, and we do not anticipate any near term facility changes.

Current enrollment is stronger than at any time over the past five years as families continue to value the outstanding Jewish Academy of Orlando’s grade K-8 education. The long-term answer to these issues will be increased enrollment in both the JCC preschool and Jewish Academy of Orlando.

—The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Jewish Academy of Orlando