Our Stories

JPDS-NC Students Build Pesach-Themed Rube Goldberg Machine for Technion Design Challenge

April 20, 2016 by Alexandra Taylor (Faculty and Staff)

A team of JPDS-NC 5th and 6th graders took on the first ever RAVSAK-Technion Design Challenge! They built a Passover-themed Rube Goldberg machine that journeys through the ten plagues. Check out our behind-the-scenes video!


Meet the Middle School Zoning Committee: Co-Chair Rob Zucker

April 19, 2016

I’m a native of South Orange, New Jersey and graduate of Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union (now Golda Och Academy). I moved to Washington in 1994 to follow a lifelong interest in politics. I worked as a staffer on Capitol Hill in the House and Senate for nine years, before becoming a […]


Meet the Middle School Zoning Committee: Co-Chair Helaine Greenfeld

April 19, 2016

Our family has been involved with JPDS-NC for the last 16 years, since our son, Jake, started Kindergarten at the old Montgomery Hills location, continuing with my tenure as a Board Trustee and President, our daughter Abby’s graduation in 2011, and through to my current terms returning to the Board and serving as Co-Chair of […]


Alumni Highlight: Leah Schultz (’04)

April 18, 2016 by Rhoda Hersson-Ringskog (Community)

Leah graduated in 2004. Reflecting on her time at JPDS-NC, she shared what she loved most about the school: “JPDS-NC was a wonderful place for me to grow, learn, and really grow to love learning. It was an incredibly supportive environment, one where students felt they could participate. The small classes allowed you to be […]


Meet the Endowment Committee: Co-Chair David Kurtzer-Ellenbogen

April 14, 2016

I’m the relatively rare non‑transplant to the DC area. I grew up in Silver Spring, and graduated from a (different) Jewish day school. Lucy is a Jewish day school alum as well, from a school in the UK. The grounding and foundation in Jewish texts, tradition and practice that our day school education gave us […]


Meet the Endowment Committee: Co-Chair John Hasenberg

April 14, 2016

The Hasenberg family’s love affair with JPDS-NC began the day we visited the school in 2009. As our daughter Ellie is now on the verge of graduating and our son Benny looks forward to joining the first class in the Middle School, that relationship continues to flourish. Indeed, it feels like our family has grown […]


Meet the Endowment Committee: Co-Chair Kim Aftergood

April 14, 2016

I am the proud parent of JPDS-NC sixth grader Lincoln Aftergood. My husband Steven, Lincoln, and I have been a part of the JPDS-NC community for seven wonderful years. I’d like to share with you how and why I volunteer at JPDS-NC and how grateful I am to have landed a seat on the JPDS-NC Endowment […]


Watch the Video of Our Performing Arts Program

April 13, 2016 by Ronit Greenstein (Faculty and Staff)

This Sunday we held our annual Performing Arts Show, featuring fabulous Israeli dancing by students in grades Pre-K to Six, as well as exuberant performances by our fifth and sixth grade Percussion Chug and Drama Chug students. Watch the video of this wonderful event! (Please note: this link will take you to a 15-minute preview; you will have […]


Torah Talk for Parashat Metzora

April 12, 2016 by Sharon Freundel (Community)

In this parasha, God describes the purification ritual for people and homes afflicted with tzara’at (leprosy); God also instructs Moshe and Aharon regarding laws related to the emission of bodily fluids. Chapter 14, verse 11 tells us: “The cohen that cleanses him shall set the man that is to be cleansed and those things before […]


Reflections by Purim Ball Honoree Laurie Brumberg

April 11, 2016 by Laurie Brumberg (Faculty and Staff)

First, thank you to the Purim Ball chairs, volunteers, and the Advancement Office for pulling off this always-amazing event. And thanks to everyone in the room — because in addition to your auction bids, volunteer time, and scholarship contributions — your being here is a measure of what’s so special about JPDS — the power […]