Dear Parents,

I am writing this on my last day of Cheder. By the time you read this, I should be in the USA where my career has taken me. I felt that it would be appropriate to reflect on the progress that has been achieved, and to look back at the achievements made. I would also like to say how excited I am that Jonny Waters has taken over and I am sure that his involvement in the Cheder will ensure continued success.

I first joined the Cheder in the autumn of 1997. It is with great pride that I now look back at the Cheder and I can definitely see that the Cheder is in a far stronger position, where the changes that have been made have proven beneficial. We have an advanced reading programme in place and the word of mouth surrounding the Cheder has never been higher. I am proud to have been able to lead a group of teachers who are highly dedicated. Their dedication is one of the reasons that the Cheder is thriving. The syllabus that we follow is constructed by the AJE and I am pleased to say that it remains a focal point of what is taught in the Cheder.

We have continued to ensure that a number of practical demonstrations - notably by Rabbi Yossi Simon of the Lubavitch - have been a huge success. I look forward to his continued involvement in the Cheder. Academically, I am pleased to be able to report that the exams and reports that were introduced at the beginning of my tenure have ensured an accurate assessment of how the children are doing and I am pleased to be able to report that results have consistently been high.

I would like to thank Rona Steinberg, Louise Mirwitch, David Fisher and Howard Morris (who has come in to take over David Fisher's position). Individually the co-operation between us all has ensured the smooth running of the Cheder and our success in no small way owes to how we have worked together for the Cheder.

I would also like to personally thank Susan Hayman for all the tremendous hard work that she has put in behind the scenes, making sure that everything has run smoothly. I can't thank her enough.

It has a been an honour and a privilege to have been able to have taken the Cheder to the place where it is today and I will always look with great affection on my days here.

I would like to wish you all a Shana Tova - happy New Year and well over the fast.

My kindest regards and best wishes to you all.

All the very best

Jeremy Ross