About YES
Our History
In the summer of 1988, Rabbi Michel Twerski called a meeting of several dozen members of the community with a challenge. “A Tale of Two Cities,” as he put it that night.
He outlined a choice: either we make ourselves into a full-service Jewish community that would attract people and grow or we could just sit and watch the community wind down. We either became a vibrant community – or a dying community.
The group came together to back the first vision: to make ourselves into a full-service Jewish community. In a leap of faith, with the dedication of a committed few, Yeshiva Elementary School, a day school with a yeshiva preparatory curriculum, opened in the fall of 1989.
The results are obvious, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Over the years, YES has grown and improved. The beautiful facility the school uses now is an excellent place for us to educate our children.
We started with so few students that multiple grades were grouped together in a small space. Our approach at first was barebones. Over the years, we have matured into a school with
A talented and experienced staff
Accreditation from the most respected agency dealing with schools in Wisconsin
An educational program that is based on careful thought and expertise in both religious and secular subjects
Put it all together and it is the tale of one city – one where YES has been a catalyst to growth, commitment and fulfillment of the highest-quality dreams for our children.
Video shown at YES’s 30th Anniversary Banquet, celebrating our 30th year and honoring Bader Philanthropies for 30 years of support.
YES Timeline
Summer 1988 – Rabbi Michel Twerski outlines the vision for the school at a community meeting.
Spring 1989 – Rabbi Shabse Werther hired as the first principal. YES purchases Congregation Anshe Sfard, 3447 N. 51st Blvd., and converts the shul into a school.
Labor Day 1989 – Parents and children kick off a celebration rally at the opening of YES. There are 64 students from 27 families.
September 1991 – YES reaches the 100-student mark.
Fall 1993 – YES purchases the building of Kramer’s Kosher Corner grocery store next door and converts it into a state of the art early childhood education center.
1995 – YES hires Rabbi Naftali Kalter as principal.
1996 – YES is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
1997 – Concerned community members form a branch of KESHET, a special education program, which is later incorporated in Jewish Family Services, allowing YES to educate special needs students.
1998 – YES joins the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
1999-2001 – YES successfully runs a $2.7 million capital campaign for building expansion and renovation. YES begins using the new facility, which earns a national architectural award.
2002 – YES hires Rabbi Eliezer Speiser as principal.
Fall 2005 – YES exceeds the 200 student mark for the first time.
January 2007 – YES celebrates their 18th anniversary and honors Rabbi and Rebbetzin Twerski with an "Evening of Tribute".
Fall 2007 – YES hires Rabbi Aryeh Cohen as principal.
Fall 2009 – YES begins its third decade, more than tripling the number of students from its inception.
Fall 2012 – YES hires Rabbi Dovid Kossowsky as principal.
2013-2014 – YES celebrates its 25th year of successful education.
Spring 2014 – Generous grants provided by Vera and Joseph Zilber and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation enable YES to reopen our computer lab and expand our network into classrooms.
Fall 2014 – YES launches KESSER, a new and expanded educational program designed to assist children with special needs and special aptitudes.
2018-2019 – YES celebrates its 30th year of successful education at the YES Annual Banquet, which recognized Bader Philanthropies for their instrumental role in YES’s three decades of accomplishments.
Fall 2019 – YES creates a new position, Vice Principal of Student Services, and hires Rabbi Shaya Baumann to fill this position. Rabbi Baumann joins Mrs. Laura Fischer, Vice Principal of General Studies, and Rabbi Dovid Kossowsky, Principal, on the Educational Leadership Team.
Spring 2020 - YES transitions to remote learning due to the pandemic.
Fall 2021 - YES reopens its doors with many Covid precautions.
Fall 2022 - Rabbi Baumann is promoted to become the principal. YES hires Rabbi Tzvi Goldman as Vice Principal of Student Affairs.