Giving
The Zalik Foundation Makes $19 Million Grant
Investment to Expand & Enhance Weber Programming, Faculty, and Facilities to Serve Growing Student Population and Greater Atlanta Jewish Community
The Weber School is pleased to announce a transformative $19 million grant from The Zalik Foundation to support the retention and recruitment of top educational professionals, enhancements in curriculum and programming, and expansion of its facilities. This investment will provide Weber with new resources to fully realize its mission as a 21st-century Jewish high school and support its growing student population and the needs of the greater Atlanta Jewish community. This will be the first significant expansion to Weber’s campus since moving to the current location in Sandy Springs.
It is our hope this gift will be transformational for the Weber School, its students, faculty, staff, and the Jewish community at large,” says Helen and David Zalik, principals of The Zalik Foundation. “The skills Weber students will learn will surpass any theater performance, basketball game, or trip across the world; they will bring their newfound voices, leadership skills, and empathy for others as they lead and impact the world. These teens are the future of our Jewish community and, under the incredible leadership of Rabbi Ed Harwitz, we look forward to seeing Weber continue to grow, thrive, and create a new generation of Jewish leaders.
The grant from The Zalik Foundation will support four strategic needs central to the fulfillment of Weber’s core academic goals, including:
List of 4 items.
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New State-of-the Art Performing Arts Center
A new, state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, including a fully outfitted theater and rehearsal space for expanded and enhanced theatrical and music performances including musicals and dramas, instrumental and choral music, music recording, a dance studio and resources for technical design and production. The center will also allow Weber to host large classes and symposiums, guest speakers and student programs, and can also be a resource for the Atlanta Jewish community. -
Expanding Global Travel Education Program
A newly established fund to support Weber’s expanding global travel education program. Building on Weber’s legacy Abe Besser Israel-Poland Experience and signature Spanish Immersion programs in Spain and Cuba, this new funding will enable additional study and travel within the United States and abroad, while providing service scholarships that ensure broad participation among the student body. -
Attract and Retain Highest Caliber Faculty
A newly established fund to support attracting and retaining the highest caliber educational professionals, Weber’s most valuable resources, that express the school’s mission and drive educational excellence through one-of-a-kind courses and programs. -
Challenge Grant: Athletic Complex Construction
A challenge grant for a new campaign to fund the construction of a state-of-the-art athletic complex, adding to Weber’s athletic facilities while enhancing the current athletic program and unique Sports Science Academy. The design includes:- A large performance gym with a full-size basketball court plus two additional full-size practice gym spaces. This layout will seamlessly accommodate practices and games for multiple Weber athletic teams and enable Weber to host larger scale region competitions.
- Stadium seating for 550 spectators, offering ample space for all Weber and visiting team fans.
- Three large locker rooms to accommodate Weber athletes as well as those from visiting teams.
- Enhanced fitness, conditioning, and weight lifting facilities Track and field facilities as well as eco-friendly outdoor lighting for baseball, soccer, and flag football
In 2018, The Zalik Foundation provided a generous grant to Weber to establish The Daniel Zalik Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Design (DZA). The DZA quickly became a hub of interdisciplinary innovation, creativity, and collaboration for Weber students and faculty and its partners in the Atlanta Jewish community, serving as a model for the launch of other Academies of excellence. The new grant from The Zalik Foundation will enable the school to create and fulfill additional “only at Weber” opportunities.
“We are deeply honored by this generous and visionary grant from The Zalik Foundation,” says Rabbi Ed Harwitz, Head of School. “The faculty and staff at Weber enthusiastically embrace this unique opportunity to advance our mission in new and ambitious ways, preparing students for college and careers who are deeply committed to serving the Jewish community and the broader world.”
“This extraordinary investment in Weber speaks volumes to the confidence in our leadership and educational professionals while it also honors the legacy of Felicia and Joe Weber,” says Billy Medof, President of The Board of Trustees, The Weber School. “We are incredibly grateful to The Zalik Foundation for this generous grant. It will allow Weber to serve a growing and increasingly diverse student population and position Weber to serve as a resource that will benefit the Jewish community for decades to come.”
The Felicia Penzell Weber Jewish Community High School prepares students for success in college and in life, inspiring them to be knowledgeable, thinking, responsible Jewish adults, by weaving together the pursuit of academic excellence; a commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish people, and Israel; and a responsibility to serve our community and improve our world.
The Weber School is a Jewish community high school serving students from all Jewish backgrounds. The comprehensive academic and co-curricular program develops student exploration, leadership, and social responsibility. Students learn in the classroom, off-campus, and around the world guided by highly talented and devoted faculty who cultivate creative thinking and encourage student initiative.
The Weber School
The Weber School, a Jewish Community high school serving students from all Jewish backgrounds, prepares students for success in college and in life with comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that inspire student exploration, leadership, and Jewish social consciousness. Many of our programs and academies are unique to Weber and can't be found at any other Atlanta-area high schools.
The Felicia Penzell Weber Jewish Community High School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
The Felicia Penzell Weber Jewish Community High School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.
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