Our Stories

Torah Talk for Parashat Nasso

June 14, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

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 […]


In the News: Students Learn Family Stories, Tell About them in Hebrew

June 9, 2016 by Washington Jewish Week (Press)

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 […]


Green Committee Students Organize Week of Environmental Learning and Action

June 5, 2016 by Audrey Y (’22) (Students) Eden S (’22) (Students) Elisheva A (’22) (Students) Maya G (’22) (Students) Michal N (’21) (Students) Miriam T (’22) (Students) Naomi S (’22) (Students) Noa H (’22) (Students) Rose S (’22) (Students) Serah J (’22) (Students) Yara V (’22) (Students)

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. […]


A Letter from Incoming Director of Student Support Services Alexis Herschthal

June 2, 2016 by Alexis Herschthal (Faculty and Staff)

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 […]


Alexis Herschthal Appointed Director of Student Support Services

June 1, 2016 by Naomi Reem (Faculty and Staff)

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 […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Bamidbar

June 1, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

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 […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Bechukotai

May 31, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, God enumerates the rewards for keeping the commandments and the punishments for violating them; the laws of tithes are then listed. The parasha mentions different legal terms in various places: Chukim, Mishpatime, Mitzvot, and Torot. There are many, many different explanations for the differences between these terms. The translations do us no good […]


South Campus Celebrates Lag Ba’Omer

May 26, 2016 by Ronit Greenstein (Faculty and Staff)

Today, JPDS-NC students celebrated Lag Ba’Omer like they do in Israel – by lighting a bonfire, eating hot potatoes that are cooked in the bonfire, and with a lot of spirited singing. Enjoy the video below of our Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and First Grade students at their joyful Lag Ba’Omer celebration! We also invite you to […]


JPDS-NC Fourth Graders Perform and Teach Israeli Dance to Area Students at Embassy of Israel

May 26, 2016 by Eleanor F (’20) (Students) Lilli L (’20) (Students) Zoe K (’20) (Students)

The Fourth Grade Trailblazers class was invited to a special program at the Embassy of Israel on Friday, May 20. A Fifth Grade class from Hearst Elementary School was invited too. We performed an Israeli dance routine for everyone. Every year, JPDS-NC has an Israeli Dance Performance. We performed the choreography from that show. Then […]


Math Teams, Students Score in Math Competitions

May 25, 2016 by Ronit Greenstein (Faculty and Staff)

At a Math Awards ceremony on Friday, we recognized the achievements of our Math Olympiad team and the 85 individual students who successfully participated in math challenges this year! JPDS-NC placed fourth among all schools in the Maryland Math League and first in the District of Columbia in the math competition for Grade 6 students. […]