June 20, 2025 by
From May 1-11, Grade 8 students completed their capstone trip to Israel. Their days were action packed, with opportunities for meaningful learning and reflection in nature, museums and monuments, neighborhoods and towns, cultural sites, archaeological digs, and more. Each student connected with the content of this trip in their own way, and the group received […]
June 17, 2025 by
“Throughout my experience in Colombia with Cadena I learned how to be a better team player and how to make the best of hard situations. Additionally, I learned that no matter what, it is always possible to communicate and relate to the people and places around you.” – Shira S-E, Class of 2025 “Cadena provided […]
April 29, 2025 by
In early April, students from Pre-K to Middle School celebrated Pesach in creative and often interdisciplinary ways. Check out our roundup below:
March 2, 2017 by
After their successful Ancient Egypt Exhibition this week, our Sixth Grade students sat with their written compositions and the artifacts they created, and reflected on the ways they have grown as researchers and writers. They also considered the ways in which the process of writing has helped them grow as students and human beings. Yonatan […]
March 2, 2017 by
Kol Hakavod to all the cast and crew of the JPDS-NC production of The Lion King! JPDS-NC community members and the preschoolers at Washington Hebrew Congregation and the EDCJCC were treated to two dazzling performances. The show featured 120 talented cast members and an extraordinary set and costumes that our 40 creative crew members worked […]
February 28, 2017 by
In this parasha, Hashem instructs Moshe to collect gifts from Bnei Yisrael in order to build a Mishkan (Tabernacle) so that Hashem can dwell among the people; Hashem describes to Moshe the vessels and structures that comprise the Mishkan. An oft-quoted verse appears in Chapter 25:8: “They will make for Me a sanctuary, and I […]
February 22, 2017 by
JPDS-NC’s faculty teams were awarded two of the six 2017 Kohelet Prizes for Excellence in Jewish Education. The Kindergarten General Studies team – comprised of Lisa Davis, Xani Pollakoff, and Vas Pournaras – won the “Award for Development of Critical and/or Creative Thinking” category for the Community Library Project from the 2015-2016 school year. A cross-grade, multi-disciplinary […]
February 21, 2017 by
In this week’s parasha, Moshe informs the people of numerous ethical and ritual laws and seals the brit (covenant) between the Bnei Yisrael and Hashem. One of the numerous laws in the parasha states (22:20): “Do not wrong a stranger nor oppress him for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Hermann Cohen (1842-1919), […]
February 16, 2017 by
Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law, suggests a system for establishing lower courts to settle disputes; Hashem articulates the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments) to the Bnei Yisrael amidst fire, smoke, and sounds of the shofar. We often translate Aseret HaDibrot, as I did above, as “The Ten Commandments.” However, they are not really Ten Commandments, because Dibrot means […]
February 7, 2017 by
After the Bnei Yisrael cross the Reed sea in safety while Paro’s army drowns, they sing praises to Hashem; in response to their complaints about a lack of food and water, Hashem gives them manna; they are then attacked by Amalek. The TaNaKH contains ten songs. When we look at each song, without even reading […]
February 3, 2017 by
It is with great sadness that we recognize the passing of our longtime friend and supporter, Dr. Robert Schattner. From the school’s return to Washington, DC, to its expansion to two campuses, Dr. Schattner’s extraordinary generosity ensured the school’s growth and success through the years. His warmth and charm, often on full display at Veterans […]
February 2, 2017 by
In the fall, as part of the exploration of communities and cultures around the world, the Fourth Graders began learning about people seeking political asylum. This unit of study provides our children with some insight into regimes and governments around the world. One of its goals is to create empathy for and an understanding of […]
February 2, 2017 by
Last week, First Graders exhibited their expertise and creativity at their first Bayit Patuach (Open House) of the year, showcasing models of historic structures built from recycled materials, curated writing portfolios, multimedia representations of animal habitats, and clay sculptures of various plant species. Throughout the first semester, First Grade students explored the theme “Encounters with […]
