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:
June 21, 2016 by
Each member of the JPDS-NC Class of 2016 chose an artifact from their time at school to represent and reflect on what JPDS-NC has meant to them. The graduates shared the reflections below in English and Hebrew at their Graduation Ceremony on June 17, 2016. Feven Aklilu: JPDS has taught me so many things over these past few years. I thought that […]
June 21, 2016 by
In this parasha, the Bnei Yisrael receive instructions regarding Pesach; they journey forth from Sinai and complain to God on several occasions, provoking God’s anger; Miriam and Aaron speak against Moshe. Chapter 10, verses 1-10 describe the construction of the chatzotzrot, the trumpets used in the worship service. Many people do not realize that the […]
June 16, 2016 by
Traditions abound at JPDS-NC. As I hear the students practicing speeches for graduation, I see how longstanding JPDS-NC traditions stand out and deeply shape our students’ overall experience. TEVA, the New York trip, Chagigat HaSiddur, historic site guides and kindergarten self-portraits have become a part of the anthology of the JPDS-NC experience. Like these great […]
June 15, 2016 by
At the beginning of the semester, the fourth grade Explorers class raised the idea of getting a class pet. It was decided that students needed to earn it, so their teacher created a chart where they earned points for doing and acting in ways that showed responsibility. By the end of April, they had earned […]
June 14, 2016 by
In this parasha, Hashem describes the service of the Gershonite family of Levi’im (Levites); laws relating to the sotah (suspected adulteress) and the nazir (nazirite) are given; Hashem tells Moshe and Aharon the Birkat Cohanim (Priestly Blessing); the heads of tribes bring gifts to the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Birkat Cohanim is a simple blessing that […]
June 9, 2016 by
Sixth Grade students recently made documentary films – in Hebrew – exploring their family’s history, roots, and journey to America. After seeing some of the films, the Washington Jewish Week visited our school to speak with us about our Hebrew program and integrated curriculum, and with the students about their learning, their creative process and […]
June 5, 2016 by
The Green Committee at the Jewish Primary Day School of The Nation’s Capital is a group of kids who help the environment and tell people to stop littering. We recently had a Green Week for the whole school. During Green Week, we did different fun activities each day to get excited about helping the environment. […]
June 2, 2016 by
As I embark on my sixth year at JPDS-NC, I am honored and excited to assume the position of Director of Student Support Services and to work with my colleagues on streamlining and strengthening our school’s learning support and guidance programs. Our consolidated and growing department will include established, returning, and new colleagues. We will […]
June 1, 2016 by
I am happy to announce the appointment of Alexis Herschthal to the newly created position of Director of Student Support Services. The new post is part of the restructuring of the school’s administration for the next academic year. As Director of Student Support Services, Alexis will integrate and manage the services provided to all students […]
June 1, 2016 by
In this parasha, Moshe conducts a census of the Israelites and the Levites, and he sets up the structure of the wilderness encampment; Hashem describes the unique duties of the Kehati family from where the cohanim (priests) come. The Torah contains many hidden messages. Some of these messages appear in the names used in the […]
