Keeping 'The Flame' Alive: How DJDS' Longest Tenured Teachers Have Kept The Ruach Going

OPINION- While Denver Jewish Day School has maintained a rich, spirited culture for almost 50 years, it would not be the same without the backbone upon which the community is built: our longest-tenured teachers. 

From being in the BMH-BJ building to the days of “Denver Campus for Jewish Education,” these three individuals are a glue for our school community. Having worked here for over 35 years each, Ms. Melanie Knowles, Mr. Craig Halper, and Mr. Jerry Rotenberg embodies the very definition of ruach. 

Current High School Dean of 11th and 12th grade, Ms. Knowles has held a total of eight titles, including cheerleading coach, “the entire science department,” and yearbook advisor, among many others. 

Another lesser-known fact about the power woman, known as Ms. Knowles, is that she initially had a small “break-up” with the school; she originally worked at RMHA as a Chemistry Teacher’s Assistant (TA) for one period a day, but then left only after a year. She then had two other jobs, including one as a tutor, and another teaching Chemistry and Physics at MaryCrest High School, before returning to being a full-time Tiger in 1989. 

While Ms. Knowles has held many positions at DJDS, her most impactful title is most definitely “role model and confidant.” When asked how she maintains her ruach after so many years, she responded, “Just paying attention to what’s going on around me. Talking with students… it might be my 36th color war, but it’s your last senior color war.”

Today, Ms. Knowles plays an integral role in keeping the school thriving, whether that be logistically, academically, or energetically. 

Similar to Ms. Knowles, Mr. Halper has both observed and contributed to the ever-evolving culture of our community. In 1988, his cousin, Sandy Feld, who was working for Evan Makovsky (the then school president), called him inquiring about being the basketball coach for Noah Makovsky, who was coming up on his senior year. 

Unsure of the low-paying contract, our now-beloved Judaics teacher asked his father what to do, to which he responded, “What do you have to lose?” For over 37 years, Mr. Halper has tended to the fire of the DJDS spirit: “I have a job to do,” he said. “I have a job to pass down our traditions-- not only the traditions of our people but of the school as well.” 

While he is currently a Judaics teacher, Mr. Halper’s range of titles does not fall short of extraordinary. Along with coaching the boys’ basketball team, he has also served as a Hebrew teacher, music teacher, girls’ volleyball coach, athletic director, and “zemirot enthusiast.”  Mr. Halper, along with Josh Lake and Jerry Rotenberg, do not get nearly as much recognition as is deserved, for essentially founding the athletic program here at DJDS. It is because of their monumental input, that Tigers today have easy access to a quality sports program, and that must be acknowledged.   

On the topic of Jerry, this will be his 35th year working at the school. Jerry’s DJDS origin story is perhaps the epitome of his goofy, sarcastic persona. He was working at Beth Joseph when the school had moved into the building. One day, on a regular trip to the bathroom, he was cornered by Dr. Ray Anderton and Rabbi Mayer Mark in the bathroom, asking if he would teach some classes at their school. “I said sure!” he recalled. “And then I flushed.” 

While he is mostly known for his role as a Judaics teacher, Jerry sets the record for job titles held with a whopping 13. Some of these include: color war director, volleyball/basketball/soccer coach, athletic director, kashrut supervisor,  and even maintenance/janitorial. 

In recounting some of his favorite memories, he recalled teaching driver's ed while learning Chumash, being the basketball coach in a playoff game, and “just about every color war ever.” After three-plus decades of DJDS Shabbatonim, Color Wars, Student Council events, and more, he attributed keeping his ruach alive to the students. “Kids make me laugh, I still think they’re funny and I always think every day is going to be a great day here,” he said. 

In their final interview statements, each teacher took a moment to reflect on their time. “I hope that when it finally comes to an end, I’ll be remembered for the good that I brought to people’s lives, but I still have a while to go,” Mr. Halper said. 

“I still love it here- I came in yesterday and I was not in a great mood… Mr. Rozansky asked me how I was doing, and it reminded me of how I really do look forward to being here every day and interacting with you guys,” remarked Ms. Knowles. 

Jerry stated, “35 years ago, I went to an In-town Shabbaton and that's when I fell in love with this school. I was just so impressed with the students: how organized they were and how they ran the Shabbat programming and I’ve seen it get better with different student leaders. I see the love that I have for the school continues to grow through the great student leadership we have- I see the school growing, and it's exciting!”

From what was once a small community in the BMH/BJ/JCC building to what is now a well-established, thriving organization, these three individuals have acted as foundational leaders for the Jewish community. Denver Jewish Day School stands strong today because of Ms. Knowles, Mr. Halper, and Jerry’s dedication to preserving the spirit within our school walls.