the entire Annual Report 2014 here.

2014 Annual Report
Educating Children
According to their
Path
Educating Children According to their Path
Dear MWJDS Community,
We began a new chapter of the MWJDS story this
past year and it has seen a reaffirmation of our
mission and a resurgence of purpose. Our mission is
to cultivate confident learners and creative thinkers
with strong Jewish identities who are motivated to
make a difference. Our purpose as an institution—the
daily lesson plan of each of our talented educators—
is to foster and nurture the inherent wisdom of our
students, helping them to grow according to their
own individual path.
To be sure, our educational philosophy shares
common goals with other similar institutions, namely
to provide an excellent general and Judaic education
within a safe, social environment. The difference
at MWJDS is that we do not simply accommodate
individualism; we embrace it.
We embrace the uniqueness of all segments of
our community: our students, our teachers, our
institutions, our friends in the community and
especially our supporters. We know that it is the
strength of individuals committed to a common goal
that creates a strong and vibrant Jewish community.
Thank you for playing your part in the MWJDS story.
Scott Sokol and Ceceley Chambers
MWJDS Co-Directors
Lindsay Farrer and Barry Ruthfield
MWJDS BoD Co-Presidents
‫ֲחנֹ ְך לַ ַּנ ַער ַעל ּ ִפי ַד ְר ּכֹו‬
~ Proverbs 22:6 ~
Top Ten Accomplishments
2013-2014 School Year (so far!)
1. Established leveled instruction for core academics;
a system which reflects students’ comfort,
achievement and learning style and helps them
flourish
2. Instituted an exciting new dual-leadership model
3. Brought in more than ten new students in grades
above Kindergarten
4. First school in North America to participate in the
Dyson engineering grant
5. Awarded a robotics grant for Kindergarten and the
Upper School
6. Developed neuroscience Middle School curriculum
with Wellesley College
7. Introduced Tri-lingual education for all students
(English, Hebrew, and Spanish)
8. Implemented new Hebrew curriculum for K-2
9. Revamped Academic and Behavioral Support team
10. Raised significant funds for new student-designed
playground
A Journey of
Learning and Discovery
M
We are all so close. We have the
opportunity to bond with our teachers like
no other school. All of the students know
each other by name, which makes our
community tighter. With the staff we feel
connected too. MWJDS RULES because
you feel like you are part of something
important, special and unique…like a
FAMILY!
~ Sabrina, Grade 7
etroWest Jewish Day School is a
community school that nurtures
students, families, and faculty as
they proceed on journeys of learning and
discovery. Students of all observances study
and learn in an environment of academic
excellence in which ancient text and modern
curricula are woven together. MWJDS
inspires proud, knowledgeable, responsible
Jews empowered to strengthen communal
life in Metrowest and beyond.
The MWJDS community is governed by and
strives to help others develop according to
the goodness that Judaism engenders. We
understand how our ethical stances are
compatible with the highest values in our
American society. Children learn respect
for themselves, parents, and teachers;
honor the elderly; show compassion for one
another; give support to the sick, disabled
and bereaved; care for the environment
and animals; and show understanding and
appreciation of diversity.
An Individualized Education
O
ne of the cornerstones of our educational philosophy is that we value multi-age
learning. We believe that learning partnerships among children of different ages
naturally mimics the “real world,” including family structures. Therefore in our applied
subjects (Judaic studies, social studies and some sciences) we group children of different ages.
At the same time, our motto at MWJDS is “Educating children according to their path,” a
paraphrase of Proverbs. We recognize that all good education is differentiated education,
because all learners, regardless of developmental stage, are unique. In our core academic
subject matter—Language Arts, Math and Hebrew—groupings are based on skill level and
learning style, rather than age or grade. In addition, we maintain a posture of individuation
of each child’s curriculum through consistent assessment, Curriculum-Based Measurement
and Response to Intervention. Specialized learning staff provide additional support to all
students and supplement the lead teachers’ instruction. In this way, we are able to provide an
outstanding Jewish and secular educational experience for a wide variety of learners.
MetroWest Jewish Day School is a very
nice school. People here work with several
learning styles, which is why I chose
MWJDS. Also, you find opportunities at
MWJDS that you don’t find everywhere.
For example, we were the first class to
participate in a program which involves
dissecting a vacuum cleaner. We are in
a unit of brains in science; we made a
model of a neuron, and dissected a brain.
During ELA, we are writing our own story
completely from our imagination.
~ Yonatan, Grade 6
I
n a world of instant information,
students are expected to master an
unprecedented and ever-growing body
of knowledge. Competency in reading,
writing, and mathematics is necessary but not
sufficient. Students must be prepared for a
highly technological world where skills such as
information management and critical thinking
enable them to sift through and synthesize
relevant information. They must acquire
individual competencies by understanding their
own learning styles as well as acquiring the
ability to work well in groups. MWJDS provides a
strong foundation for realizing these goals.
The use of 21st century technology enables
blended learning in many of our classes.
Computers are an integral part of the curriculum
and are used as an educational enhancement
to classroom instruction. In addition, MWJDS
has fostered active partnerships with faculty
at Brandeis University and Wellesley College.
Graduate students come to our school to
demonstrate methods from their laboratories,
and we visit university laboratories regularly to
see scientific research in action. This approach
to education allows us to concretize learning and
to maximize educational outcomes for all our
students.
Research continues to support the benefits of
exposure to multiple languages for developing
minds. At MWJDS, all our students, beginning in
kindergarten, learn both Hebrew and Spanish in
addition to their English studies.
21st Century Skills,
Creating 21st Century
Jewish Leaders
Every student gets to communicate using
all different languages, such as Spanish
(Espáñol) and Hebrew (‫)עברית‬. Also, all the
students get to teach younger children.
MWJDS has great staff and teachers. The
teachers teach lots of good strategies for
all students, who have their own strengths
and goals. MWJDS is a great supporting
school for your children. LEARN!
~ Violet, Grade 5
An Inclusive and
Supportive Community
A
t MWJDS, we recognize that
an inclusive and supportive
community is an integral part of
school life and has a tremendous impact on
helping students get the most out of their
educational experience.
MWJDS is proud to be part of the Israeli
Young Emissary Program, a program
of the Jewish Federation of Central MA.
Young adults from Israel, deferring their
IDF service for a year, undergo intensive
training as experiential, hands-on novice
educators, working toward creating
meaningful connections and living bridges
between the partnership communities in
the US and Israel.
We offer many opportunities for parents and
families to be involved in the school, and
to help build an educational environment
that extends beyond the classroom. Our
community events provide opportunities
for engagement and fun and promote
cohesiveness. Furthermore, through our
partnerships with other educational and
Jewish organizations, MWJDS has become a
central institution in the Metrowest Jewish
Community and throughout the Greater
Boston Area.
O
A Celebration of
Community
n December 15, MWJDS hosted its annual gala
at Temple Reyim in Newton, MA. The red carpet
theme at this year’s gala added to the glamour of
the premier social event for the Metrowest Jewish
community. We honored two local superstars; Carl
Chudnofsky was celebrated as the honoree and Malka
Young was recognized with the Keter Shem Tov award.
Over 200 people gathered on that snowy Sunday
evening to rejoice in the midst of another successful
school year.
In her acceptance speech, Malka noted that, “a Jewish
day school is a basic building block of a strong Jewish
community. It is not just a place for children, but a
place for Jewish communal engagement. MWJDS
is one of the anchors of Jewish communal life in
Metrowest.” We are glad to have become such an
integral part of the Metrowest Jewish scene and to
celebrate our role with our supporters and community
partners.
2014 Financial Information
Revenue
Grants
$83,848
7%
After School
Program
$13,747
1%
FY2013/2014
Forecast Revenue & Expenses based on
March 31, 2014 YTD Results
Other Revenue
$4,493
0.4%
Transportation
$12,000
1%
Facilities
$82,038
7%
Net Tuition
$468,972
40%
Donations &
Fundraising
$598,540
51%
Administration
$406,183
37%
After School
Program
$11,728
1%
Expense
Other Expense
$4,000
0.4%
Education
$595,213
54%
Thank you to our Donors! Todah Rabah!
Donations listed for November 26, 2012 through March 28, 2014
$50,000 and above
Lauren & David Fishman
Joanna & Jeff Fleisher
Renée & Steven Finn
Patti & Louis Grossman
Sarah Franzblau
Phyllis Hammer
Harold & Anna Ullian
$10,000 – $49,999
Charitable Foundation
Susan & Aron Ain
Ruth Hertz
Cari & Robert Band
Jewish Family Services of Metrowest
Combined Jewish Philanthropies
Rosanne & Lou Kates
Joseph & Rae Gann Charitable
Ellen & Jack Kay
Foundation
Tara & Michael Kent
Lizbeth & George Krupp
Dan Lewin
Clare & Richard Lesser
Haya & Yosef Linde
Barbara, Ashley Olivia & Ellis V. Morris
Mary & Larry Litwak
Myra & Robert Snyder
Carolyn Keller & Harvey Lowell
Laura & Ery Magasanik
$1,000 – $9,999
Susan Rodgin & Warren Manning
Adelson Family Foundation
Cindy & David Marmer
Lee & Stuart Bauer
Elaine & Burt Marmer
Nancy & David Bayer
Reva Tankle & John McArthur
Pat & Michael Blank
MediCept, Inc.
Ellen & Donald Bloch
Susan & Michael Morris
Joyce & Michael Bohnen
MWJDS Family Connection
Adeane & Larry Bregman
Jennifer & Steven Novick
Jacolyn & John Bucksbaum
Press Family Foundation
Beatrice & Arthur Burg
Judi Raphael
Nancy & Jack Bushinsky
Marcia & Paul Rosenberg
Judy Noerr & Philip Byrne
Amy Schectman & Mitchell Rosenberg
Lois & Mickey Cail
Karen & David Rosenberg
Hope & Clay Casey
Eileen Winston & Gary Rosenberg
Phyllis Epstein & Joseph Chartor
Francine Ferraro Rothkopf &
Marsha & Harvey Chasen
David Rothkopf
Carol & Carl Chudnofsky
Ruthann & Barry Ruthfield
Judy & Jason Chudnofsky
Lewis Sassoon
Mary & Glenn Coffman
Rosalie & Jim Shane
Marie & Stewart Cohen
Sherri & Steve Sigel
Sherryl & Gerard Cohen
Deborah & Scott Sinrich
Ali & Mitch Corton
Arlene & Michael Sobol
Pamela Gilman & Richard Diamond
Francene & Rav-Hazzan Scott Sokol
Joanne & Paul Egerman
SonMedical, Inc.
Elaine Ellenbogen
David Spiegel
Fran Elovitz
Judy & Herb Spivak
Carol Ann & Armand Epstein
Sherman Starr
Fran Davis & Lindsay Farrer
Starr, Finer, Starr, LLP
Deborah & Steve Feldman
Carly & Marc Tetel
Dana & Daniel Finn
Karen & Michael Tichnor
Haja & Jeff Finn
Suzanne & Herb Tobin
Mildred & Harold Tubman
Lisa & Neil Wallack
Susan & Dan Wulf
Malka & David Young
IBM Corporation
$500 – $999
Leslie & Rabbi Laurence Bazer
Diane & Chester Black
Ronda & Norman Bloomstein
Susan & Richard Brisk
The Butcherie
Century Bank
Judy & Jonathan Chiel
Hinda & Peter Drotch
Kimberly Duckworth
Joan & Michael Finn
Nancy & Peter Finn
Lisa Wendell & Ken Fishman
Richard Franklin
Susan & Allen Friedman
Rita & Herb Gann
Debi & Ken Golden
Berna & Bill Haberman
Betsy & Eddie Jacobs
Helen & Sidney Kadish
Robin Kaye
Levine Chapels, Inc.
Fran & Rabbi Daniel Liben
Pauline & Larry Lowenthal
Taren & Ralph Metson
Chana & Steven Meyer
Jina & Michael Missle
MutualOne Bank
Barbara & Frank Resnek
Judith & Stuart Rhein
Rabbi Shira Shazeer &
Cantor Ken Richmond
Roffi Salon and Day Spa
Phyllis & Samuel Rubinovitz
Jill & Lawrence Sandberg
Jerry & Suzie Sawyer
Jody Comins & Michael Schnur
Sue & Joel Sherman
Cynthia Shulman
Cantor Linda Sue & Richard Sohn
Lander & Lander, PC
Steve Lockwood & Joy Lapidus
Lisa & Rabbi Daniel Lehmann
Ellen & Rob Leikind
Sybil & Steven Levisohn
Marni & Jonathan Levitt
Joan & Arthur Lewis
Macy’s Inc.
Anita & Michael Malina
$180 – $499
Patty & Daniel J. Margolis
Cynthia & Steve Adelman
Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Corp.
Anti-Defamation League
Beth & David Mintz
Erica & Jay Ball
MMI Painting
Peggy & Ed Barry
Deborah & Mark Needleman
Daniel Bauman
Alice Cole & Alan Oliff
Judith & Alan Bernstein
Partnership for Excellence in Jewish
Randi & Alan Biren
Education
Herbert Birnbaum
Paul
Flaherty Plumbing
Box Tops for Education
Elana
Perkins
Brezniak-Rodman Funeral Directors
Anna & Pavel Perlin
Louise Citron
Picardi Construction Co., Inc.
Reesa & Ed Cohen
Ingrid Goldfein & Rabbi Joel Pitkowsky
Congregation Beth El of Sudbury
Charna Reichel
Kathy & Lino Covarrubias
Terry & Elliot Rosenberg
Jone & Allen Dalezman
Royal Cleaners
Rimma & Steve Dashevsky
Renée & Robert Samuels
Sigalit Davis
Bob Sandell
Adrienne Davis-Brody
Jan & Steve Schwartz
Fran Bilus & Richard Feldman
Beatrice Shapero
Victoria Felson
Zahava & Larry Sheftel
Phyllis & David Fitzpatrick
Erica & Jerry Silverman
Jessica Fein & Robert Flaggert
Terry & Robert Smith
Alison & Todd Fleisher
Jennifer & Barry Snyder
Chanie & Rabbi Levi Fogelman
Rabbi Beth Naditch & Barry Freedman Temple Aliyah, Needham
Robert Trestan
Joel Friedman
Susan Wall
Linda & Michael Frieze
Irit Tau-Webber & David Webber
Hal Garnick
Cyprienne Simchowitz & Jerry White
Betty & Jerry Goldberg
Arnee & Walter Winshall
Elaine Sugarman & Dov Goldvasser
Sheila & Bill Wolfson
James Gordon
David Zaltas
Dara & David Grossman
Cantor Lorel & Arnold Zar-Kessler
Jill & David Grossman
Greta Lee & Rabbi Donald Splansky
Emily Franklin-Strauss & Adam Strauss
Alissa & David Talamo
Arleen & Herbert Tarutz
Temple Israel of Natick
Town of Framingham
Diane Troderman
Esther Heimberg
Elizabeth & Daniel Jick
Rona & John Kahn
Carol Bolton Kappel &
Jonathan Kappel
Rolene & Marshall Karp
Alisa & Howard Katz
Alison Butter & Alan Klevan
Up to $179
Marjorie & Barry Afergan
Amazon.com
Irma & Seymour Andrus
Susan & Barry Benjamin
Rebecca & Murray Berkowitz
Susan Berkowitz
Linda & William Blumsack
Gretchen & Stewart Brandt
Kathy & David Burg
Ceceley & Stephen Chambers
Janet Chiel
Ann & Barry Chudnofsky
Louise Chudnofsky
Harriet & Alan Cole
Barbara & Milton Coleman
Congregation Shaarei Tefillah
Ann & Herbert Daitch
Robert Davis
Trudy & Behrooz Dayanim
Sheila Decter
Anita Diamant
Nancy & Dale Donchin
Maddy & Bruce Donoff
Ina & Mark Donohoe
Judy Bolton-Fasman & Ken Fasman
Marilyn & Joel Feinberg
Lois & Arthur Finstein
Linda & Bill Flannery
Gail & Gerald Gerson
Ellen & Claude Gerstle
Rosalind & Martin Goldberg
Martin Goldenblatt
Linda & Alan Goldstein
Sharon & David Goldstein
Rabbi Leslie Gordon &
David Goodtree
Anita & David Granoff
Shawn & Mark Granoff
Ann & Leon Green
Deborah & Howard Guthermann
Deborah & Stuart Hurowitz
Debby & Ron Iken
Jacob Friedman Insurance Agency
Jewish Workshop for Education
& Culture
Janis & Steven Kamin
Jill Kraus
Jayne & Marc Lampert
Althea & Bertram Lank
Carole & Ronald Lechan
Marcia & Alan Leifer
Paula L. Levine
Goldie Taub & Rabbi Murray Levine
Debka Janak & Eli Levy
Risa Lifshatz
Joan & Abram M. London
Renée & Jonathan Magasanik
Ellen & Daniel Mainzer
Harriet & Frederick Merkowitz
Beatrice & Joseph Miller
Valerie & Chris Montuori
Lorraine & Harvey Moskowitz
Susan & Stuart Needleman
Nelnet Business Solutions
Stefanie & Daniel Nicholson
Ellen & Alan Nissenbaum
Optical Designs
Lesley & Jeff Orlinsky
Jennifer Parks
Linda & Sheldon Prenovitz
Gil Preuss
Purple Ink Insurance Agency
Anita and Sidney Redner
Alice Ain Rich & Jack Rich
Nancy & Richard Rossman
Carol & Zick Rubin
Judy & Harold Rubin
Susan Rubin
Wanda Phipatanakul & Dani Ruran
David Ruran
Sybil Saloman
Richard & Leslie Saltzberg
Patty & Jim Samuels
Ruth Langer & Jonathan Sarna
Linda & Howard Schiffman
Phoebe Kazdin Schnitzer
Linda & Harold Schwartz
Sharon & Rony Shapiro
Miriam W. Sheftel
Susan Siegal
Vivian B. Sigel
Mark Snyder
Carol Sokol
Solomon Schechter Day School of
Greater Boston
Helene Sotsky
Stop & Shop Supermarket
Rochelle & David Sugarman
Debbie & Joel Sussman
Temple Beth Sholom
Temple Beth Zion
Thiel, Rubin and Wang, Inc.
Debbi Bohnen & Adam Wall
Beverly Weinfeld
Joan & Robert Weinstein
Reva & Sumner Weisman
Eliza Weiss
Sheila & Richard Wulf
Betty Young
Barbara & Rabbi Henry Zoob
Thank you to our Volunteers!
Susan Ain
Jay Ball
David Bayer
Rabbi Laurence Bazer
Bill Bernhard
Susan Berkowitz
Alan Bernstein
Judy Bernstein
Pat Blank
Donald M. Bloch
Ellen Bloch
Allen Block
Joyce Bohnen
Michael Bohnen
David Burg
Kathy Burg
Jack Bushinsky
Anne Carey
Clay Casey
Hope Casey
Stephen Chambers
Harvey Chasen
Marsha Chasen
Carl Chudnofsky
Yaakov Cohn
Mary Collins
Jody Comins
Ali Corton
Michael Daitzman
Jeff Dame
Maureen Dame
Fran Elovitz
Carol Ann Epstein
Lindsay Farrer
Joel Feinberg
Marilyn Feinberg
Victoria Felson
Rabbi Sally Finestone
Sarah Finkelstein
Dana Finn
Daniel Finn
Renée Finn
Steven Finn
David Fishman
Ken Fishman
Joanna Fleisher
Sarra Forrester
Susan Friedman
Ken Golden
Dov Goldvasser
Carolyn Goodman
Ann Green
Berna Haberman
Ruth Hertz
Deb Hurowitz
Debka Janak
Nancy Kaftan
Kimberly Kamborian
Steve Kamin
Marshall Karp
Lou Kates
Jack Kay
Blair Kaye
Carolyn Keller
Michael Kent
Tara Kent
Serge Kogan
Jessica King
Jill Kraus
Cyril Kruss
Gail Kruss
Eli Levy
Rabbi Daniel Liben
Joel Loitherstein
Ery Magasanik
Laura Magasanik
Renée Magasanik
Danny Margolis
Arthur Marion
Burt Marmer
Elaine Marmer
Chana Meyer
Lesley Michalowsky
Jina Missle
Ellis V. Morris
Rabbi Beth Naditch
Mark Needleman
Bobby Nichols
Robin Nichols
Jennifer Novick
Steven Novick
Elizabeth Null
Michael Null
Phyllis Peskin
Wanda Phipatanakul
Rose Raduziner
Teja Reddy
Charna Reichel
Cantor Ken Richmond
Marsha Rodman
Gary Rosenberg
Marcia Rosenberg
Paul Rosenberg
Phyllis Rotberg
David Rothkopf
Francine Rothkopf
Barry Ruthfield
Cantor Jodi
Schechtman
Mike Schnur
David Seifer
Sharon Seifer
Barry Shrage
Paula Sigal
Eileen Simons
Rich Simons
Deborah Sinrich
Scott Sinrich
Charlie Sisitsky
Barry Snyder
Jenn Snyder
Myra Snyder
Robert Snyder
Richard Sohn
Francene Sokol
Helene Sotsky
Steve Sotsky z’’l
Arlene Spector
Judy Spivak
Rabbi Donald Splansky
Rachel Stewart
Emily Franklin Strauss
Elaine Sugarman
Jeff Swerdlick
Alissa Talamo
David Talamo
Carly Tetel
Mark Tetel
Representative Chris
Walsh
David Webber
Irit Tau Webber
Dalia Weinberg
Shachar Weinberg
Eileen Winston
Adam Wolensky
Robyn Wolensky
Dan Wulf
Susan Wulf
Malka Young
‫תודה רבה‬
Faculty & Staff
Board of Directors
Lindsay Farrer, Ph.D.
Co-President
Barry Ruthfield, Ed.D.
Co-President
Ceceley Chambers
Rav-Hazzan Scott Sokol, Ph.D.
Director of Institutional Advancement Director of Education
Staff
Robin Kaye
Director of Operations
Maya Mindlin
Bookkeeper
Valerie Montuori, R.N.
Nurse
Solomon Rosenberg
Institutional Advancement Assistant
Francine Ferraro Rothkopf
Office Support
Cantor Wendy Siegel
After School Program
World Languages &
Judaic Studies
Einat Efroni
Hebrew Teacher
Shlomit Klopman
Israel Studies & Language Consultant
Cantor Annelise Ocanto
Spanish Teacher
Francine Ferraro Rothkopf
Torah & Tefillah Teacher
Bettina Schwarzman
Hebrew & Judaic Studies Teacher
Frieda Shapira
Hebrew Teacher
Rav Shira Shazeer
Judaic Studies Teacher
Dalia Weinberg
Hebrew Teacher
Classroom Teachers
Jody Comins
Immediate Past President
Jaime Brody
First Grade Teacher
Hope Casey
V.P. Community Outreach
Merlyn Carey
Middle School Teacher &
Academic Enrichment Programs
Harvey Chasen
V.P. Facilities
Michelle Folickman
Middle School Teacher
Renée Finn
Founding Chair
Janis Kamin
Third Grade Teacher
Steven Finn
V.P. Administration & Finance
Nitzan Singer
Kindergarten Teacher
Lou Kates
Treasurer
Caren Swerdlick
Second Grade Teacher
Myra Snyder
Recording Secretary
Eliza Weiss
Fourth Grade Teacher
David Bayer
Pat Blank
Donald Bloch
Marshall Karp
Burt Marmer
Chana Meyer
Mark Needleman
Jennifer Novick
Elizabeth Null
Elaine Sugarman
Susan Wulf
Academic Support
Amy Brickman
Learning Specialist
Alison Butter
Learning Specialist
Phoebe Kazdin Schnitzer, Ph.D.
School Psychologist
Carol Sokol
Behavioral Specialist
Carolyn Keller
Founding Head of School
Holly Stengel
Learning Specialist
Arts & Physical Education
Wayne Goldstein
Wellness & Gym Teacher
Patti Kelly Bernhard
Art Teacher
Rav Shira Shazeer
Music Teacher
MetroWest Jewish Day School
300 Pleasant Street
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 620-5554
(508) 620-0945 fax
www.mwjds.org
MetroWest
Jewish Day School
M
etroWest Jewish Day School fosters students
in grades K-8, in a pluralistic and respectful
environment, to become confident learners with the
skills and values to think critically and creatively.
Our curriculum integrates 21st century skills with
Jewish knowledge and wisdom to engage our
students in a rich, multi-faceted learning experience.
We support our students’ individual learning styles,
enabling them to realize their full potential and find
their place in the world.
MWJDS is a welcoming center for Jewish learning
and activity, where our diverse community comes
together in strength.
MetroWest Jewish
Day School
300 Pleasant Street
Framingham, MA 01701
www.mwjds.org
Serving families in 15 towns!
Our Sponsors:
Nonprofit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Framingham, MA
01701
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