Jewish Life

Graduates of the Day School emerge with a profound knowledge of Judaism, a level of Jewish self-assurance and sense of self, and a commitment to the Jewish people that would be difficult to achieve in another educational setting.

Students learn in an atmosphere that infuses each of them with an appreciation for and love of a life informed by Jewish values.  Our affiliation with the Reform movement informs our practices and celebrations.  We are dedicated to helping our students, staff and families-who represent a wide range of observance and affiliation-find meaningful individual practices within our community.  We welcome interfaith families and those who identify as Jewish through patrilineal descent.

Our students become proud and knowledgeable Jews with strong identities.  Through formal and informal learning experiences, including family celebrations, observance of holidays, regular prayer and study, our students are guided to an understand of, and appreciation for, the richness of Jewish life. 

While Judaism is learned in Hebrew and Judaic classes, it is also part of every subject and curriculum, integrated seamlessly in a way that makes meaning of each topic.

Tfiloh

Tfiloh,prayer, is based on the liturgy of the Reform movement.  We encourage our students to explore and to cultivate their spirituality through questioning, thinking and discussion.  Prayer helps ground students in the Jewish tradition and enhances children’s sense of the spiritual.  Through the understanding of prayer and its intention, they connect with each other and the Jewish people.

Students participate in services once a week as a whole school, and end the week with a joyful Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday afternoon of song, storytelling, blessings and sharing.

Holiday

Celebrations are integrated into the life of the school in an experiential way, i.e., making charoset,  building a Sukkah, marching around the school  with banners, and performing skits.

Our school choir performs at special venues such as conferences and shopping malls, bringing love of Jewish music to our community.

Israel

Life at the Day School includes instilling in students a deep love for Israel and in ease with Modern Hebrew.  Emphasis is devoted to fostering connections between Day School students and their peers at our sister school in Ashkelon, Israel.  Shinshinim, young interns from Ashkelon, visit the school on a weekly basis.  Our students learn about Israeli culture and history and enjoy communicating through email and SKYPE with Israelis.

Social Justice

Central to our teaching is the Jewish mandate of tikkun olam, the repair of the world.  Our commitment to social justice, drawn from our tradition, is part of our core identity as a community.  There is an ongoing link between classroom curricula and Jewish values and mitzvoth.  There are hands-on opportunities in the greater community in which each student learns to make contributions. A combination of tzedakah projects, (beginning in early childhood) community service, and advocacy(middle school) make giving and caring for others a priority.

Connecting social justice to real needs in the real world, we teach our students to have empathy for others, to be effective agents of change, to keep abreast of what is happening in the world, and to carry those lessons into their lives after they graduate.

Because we also connect to Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, we participate in special yearly programs which are cosponsored, including school Shabbat dinners, participation in services, family education programs and the Reform Jewish Junior Youth Groups. 

For more information on Jewish life at The Day School, contact  Mr. Goldsmith mgoldsmith@bhcds.org.