Our Stories

Torah Talk for Parashat Chayei Sarah

November 22, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, following the death of Sarah, Avraham purchases a burial plot and sends his servant, Eliezer, to find a wife for Yitzchak. He finds Rivka and brings her to Yitzchak to become his wife. At the beginning of chapter 24, we read that “Avraham was old, advanced in years, and Hashem had blessed Avraham bakol […]


In the News: the Northwest Current Highlights our Election Project

November 21, 2016 by Northwest Current (Press)

The Northwest Current, a local newspaper serving Northwest Washington, DC, recently highlighted the JPDS-NC election project in their “Spotlight on Schools” section! Check it out here >


First Graders Reflect on Veterans Day

November 17, 2016 by Caren Szanton (Faculty and Staff) Class of 2024 (Students)

JPDS-NC students from Pre-K to Sixth Grade participated in an annual performance in honor of Veterans Day. The First Graders sang the classic American song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” with great gusto. “We practiced every day until the 10th to get ready for the Veterans Day performance!” exclaimed Zecharyah. “It sort of says thank […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Vayera

November 16, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

This week’s parasha continues with Avraham’s journey through life. It begins with the news that Avraham and Sarah will together have a child; takes us through Avraham’s unsuccessful discussion with God, trying to get Hashem to spare the people of S’dom and Amorrah; follows Avraham and Sarah on their sojourn in Gerar; witnesses the birth […]


Ari Zymelman Lecture Series on Parenting Education: Screen-Time Struggles

November 10, 2016 by Sarah Fertig Trauben (Community)

While I consider myself to be a capable parent, the topic of technology is one that I want support around. There are websites, articles, and resources on the issue. But where to look next? The answer: JPDS-NC! Next week, the JPDS-NC parent community will gather for the screening of the documentary Screenagers: Growing Up in […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Lech Lecha

November 9, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, Avram and Sarai follow Hashem’s call to journey to Cana’an, where the covenant between Hashem and Avraham is affirmed. Avram, renamed Avraham, has a son with Hagar, Sarai’s maid, and Hashem promises that Sarai, renamed Sarah, will bear a son as well. In chapter 14, verse 13, Avram is referred to as […]


JPDS-NC Students Create Voter’s Guide

November 3, 2016 by Naomi Reem (Faculty and Staff)

The students at the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital invite you to read their Voter’s Guide: Kids’ Voices Count. Students created the Guide in order to share kids’ perspectives on key election issues, addressing such topics as foreign policy, healthcare, immigration, globalization and trade, public land use, D.C. statehood, and more. For […]


In the News: Students Study Issues as Election Approaches

November 3, 2016 by Washington Jewish Week (Press)

JPDS-NC students are in the news discussing our schoolwide election project, and sharing their learning on political campaigning, trade, public land use, D.C. statehood and more. Enjoy the Washington Jewish Week article about the JPDS-NC Election Project: Kid’s Voices Count.


Behind the Scenes of the "Boxed Lunch" Program

November 2, 2016 by Blake Yedwab (Community) Maia Magder (Community)

When JPDS-NC began more than 25 years ago, there were only a handful of students. At that time, many things were handled by parent volunteers, including lunch. Parents ordered pizza for the students, and distributed it as needed. All of these years later, lunch is still organized by a dedicated group of parent volunteers. Now […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Noach

November 1, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, we hear the story of Noach and the flood; about its aftermath when Noach plants a vineyard and gets inebriated, and his son “sees his nakedness”; and finally, about the story of the Tower of Babel and the birth of Avram. We all know the story of the flood. But why did […]