Zalik Foundation Gifts $19 Million to The Weber School

A new $19 million grant from The Zalik Foundation will allow The Weber School to hire and retain staff and enrich the curriculum, all while building new facilities, including an athletic complex and performing arts center — the first major campus expansion since the school relocated to Sandy Springs.

According to school administrators, the funds will enable Weber to fully realize its mission as a modern Jewish high school, as well as support the needs of its growing student body. The school also intends to build what it calls two new “Centers of Excellence,” The Israel and Global Education Academy and the Music and Performing Arts Academy.

The two centers will join the school’s Sports Science and Management Academy and the Daniel Zalik Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Design (DZA), which has become a hub of innovation and collaboration for Weber students and faculty since it was established in 2018. Rabbi Ed Harwitz,

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Weber’s head of school, anticipates the additional centers will create a robust, creative educational culture available only on their campus.

Rabbi Ed Harwitz, head of school at Weber.

“The generous grant from The Zalik Foundation will provide the necessary assets for Weber to realize its vision more fully by establishing these two new academies during the 2022-2023 academic year,” he told the AJT.

The new Music and Performing Arts Academy will come with a state-of-the-art performing arts center, including a fully outfitted theater and rehearsal space, as well as studios for dance and recording music. With the expanded space, Weber plans to host large classes and symposiums, guest speakers and student programs, serving as a resource for the Atlanta Jewish community.

“We are inspired by The Weber School’s vision for creating Jewish leaders whose mission is to better our society,” said Helen and David Zalik of The Zalik Foundation. “Under the incredible leadership of Ed Harwitz, Weber is a unique place where Jewish teens from different backgrounds come together as one community. Investing in a growing world class school with a strong leadership team and dedicated board to further enhance the school was a no brainer.”

The Zalik Foundation’s principals, Helen and David Zalik.

The Israel and Global Education Academy will be designed to expand Weber’s current global travel education programs: the Abe Besser Israel-Poland Experience and Spanish Immersion programs in Spain and Cuba. The Zalik grant will support additional study and travel within the U.S. and abroad, while providing service scholarships to ensure broad participation among the student body.

A challenge grant for a new campaign will fund the construction of a new athletic complex. Plans call for a large gym with a full basketball court and two additional practice gym spaces. The layout will allow for multiple practices and games for different Weber athletic teams.

With the significantly expanded space and seating for 550 spectators, the school will be able to host larger-scale regional competitions. Three locker rooms will be added to accommodate the home team and visiting athletes.

Enhanced fitness, conditioning and weightlifting facilities are also part of the projected plan, as are improvements to the current athletic program. A new outdoor track and field facilities are in the works, as well as eco-friendly lighting for baseball, soccer and flag football.

“We are deeply honored by this generous and visionary grant from The Zalik Foundation,” said Rabbi Harwitz. “The faculty and staff at Weber enthusiastically embrace this unique opportunity to advance our mission in new and ambitious ways, preparing students 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,” said Billy Medof, president of the school’s board of trustees. “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.”