HONORING
David and Cindy Winston are strong believers in the powerful impact of education.
While raising their sons, Aaron and Jacob, in Lubbock, TX they realized they needed a community and school that could further their Jewish identity.
The Winstons moved to Dallas and immediately began playing an active role in the community. David became the Founding President of Torah Day School and in 2003, led the team that navigated the purchase and remodel of the school building as well as hiring an administration to lead the school. David served as president for over ten years. Cindy jumped into the classroom, where she served as a Morah for over 15 years.
Education forms the very fiber of the Winston’s being. As the principal of Winston Wealth Advisors, David works closely with and educates investors toward the path of independent wealth and philanthropy. Cindy has served for over a decade as President of Mikvah Israel Dallas, an integral community resource where she has helped educate the community on the importance of mikvah.
Beginning next school year, Torah Day School will welcome David and Cindy’s oldest grandchild, Maayan, daughter of Jacob (‘08 TDSD graduate) and Temima Winston (TDSD middle-school math teacher), ensuring the future of yet another Winston generation.
Administrative Leadership Honorees
Dr. Chana Ruderman began her educational career at the college level. After earning a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, she published a book on Jane Austen and taught at Colgate University and Cornell University. In the early-1990's, she and her husband, Richard, moved to Texas. During the next decade, Dr. Ruderman had a variety of educational experiences, including teaching at Akiba and Yavneh and homeschooling her own five children.
In 2002, she was part of the community effort to create Torah Day School. One of her favorite memories is the spring of 2003, when she and Rabbi Udman, working out of an office building, managed to hire an entire staff for a school that still did not have a building or enrolled students. The confidence and enthusiasm of those staff members matched that of the founding parents, and to this day Dr. Ruderman considers this positive, "can-do" attitude to be one of the most special things about TDSD. TDSD has nearly tripled in growth over 20 years, but TDSD staff are still impressively loyal to the school and committed to creatively meeting students' varied needs.
I grew up in Norfolk Va and went to highschool in Silver Spring Md at Yeshiva of Greater Washington.
My husband and I moved to Dallas in 1991 and I taught at Akiba Academy for twelve years. Aside from the time I love spending at TDSD, I serve as a consultant for many schools and parents around the country. We are the proud parents of 13 only children , 12 TDSD graduates and I"H one more next year
The growth of the school has been incredible. When my husband and I discussed the idea of starting a new school, we would not have imagined a school that is now as large as TDSD and still growing. I love the start of a new day. Every morning greeting the children as they get out of their cars is memorable for me.
Faculty Leadership Honorees
My family lived in Eretz Yisrael until I was 6 years old and then they moved to Boro Park where I went to Bais Yaakov. I had amazing teachers and amazing friends. We came to Dallas and I joined the TDSD team the first year it opened.What I find most impressive is the “family feel” we experience in our school amongst staff and students alike. Everyone truly cares for each other in happy and sad times alike. We all want the best for each other. A fond memory I have is Rabbi Udman dressing up as Winnie the Pooh every Rosh Chodesh Adar ang giving out lollipops to all the kids.
All six of my children went to TDSD from preschool through 8th grade (well I have one in 5th grade but we anticipate him finishing here as well;)) Our sons have all gone to different high schools but we are so proud of who they have become and they got their roots here! Our girls continued into Mesorah.
I was born in Charleston, South Carolina and grew up in Binghamton, NY, Memphis, TN, and Elizabeth, NJ. My father was a Rebbe and Principal in Jewish Day Schools so we got to experience different communities. I always loved working with children and spent my teenage years babysitting, tutoring, running my own backyard summer camp. My husband and I moved to Dallas in Oct 1992 and I began working at Akiba Academy.The tremendous dedication and self-sacrifice that many of the administrators and teachers have displayed throughout the years, literally working around the clock to better Jewish education in Dallas, so quite impressive.
My favorite memory is the opening day of TDSD. There was a tremendous excitement in the air, along with the newness and freshness of the classrooms, books, supplies, and uniforms. The smiles and joy on the faces of the staff and students was indescribable. I sometimes go back and look at pictures of that day to relive the special memory.
I was very blessed to graduate from Rika Breuer Teacher’s Seminary in Washington Heights, learning from many great people of the previous generation. I also received a Bachelors in History from Touro College.I have been teaching 1st grade for my whole teaching career. In the first years in Dallas, I only taught the first grade boys. Therefore, when my own kids were in school, I taught all my boys, but not my girls.
An incredible part of the school culture is the fact that you cannot tell the difference between the economic status of any students. We have students of all socioeconomic backgrounds and they all interact in a beautiful, healthy way. And so many students come from all different backgrounds but they work so hard and by 8th grade they really unify beautifully.
