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:
January 6, 2016 by
I had a Bible Professor who often said about the Biblical text, “Everything else is around it or about it. This is it.” I feel that way about the various genres of Jewish texts, both biblical and Rabbinic. For our children to be educated Jews, it is not enough for them to learn around them […]
January 6, 2016 by
In this parasha, through Moshe and Aharon, Hashem brings plagues on the Mitzrim (Egyptians), and Paro repeatedly refuses to allow the Bnei Yisrael to leave. When Moshe goes to speak with Bnei Yisrael about redemption and the wonders that God will use to bring them into the Land of Israel, the Torah tells us [6:9]: “And they […]
December 29, 2015 by
In this parasha, Bnei Yisrael become slaves to Paro; Paro’s daughter saves Moshe from the Nile and, after killing an Egyptian taskmaster, Moshe flees to Midian where he marries and has children; Hashem instructs Moshe to liberate the people; Moshe returns to Egypt, and Moshe and Aharon approach Paro, who refuses their request for liberation. […]
December 23, 2015 by
In this parasha, Yaakov blesses his sons on his deathbed and asks them to bury him in Canaan. Many of us know the story of the blind patriarch who, ostensibly due to his lack of sight, gives the younger son the blessing of the firstborn and vice versa. Of course, this scenario describes Yitzchak’s blessings of […]
December 17, 2015 by
At our school, we have been exploring a seemingly obvious notion that actually has profound implications. When I first began to explore the concept that “Children are competent/capable,” I thought, “Of course, what’s so new about that insight? I have always believed children are capable, and I support them to see themselves that way….” But […]
December 16, 2015 by
The Fifth Graders at the Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capital have just finished their Colonial History unit. For a few months, the students learn about the founding of the colonies and about famous figures such as John Winthrop, John Smith, and the Kings of England. Then, each student chooses a colonial profession […]
December 16, 2015 by
In this parasha, Yosef reveals his identity to his brothers, prompting the entire family to move to Egypt, where Yosef reunites with his father, Yaakov. Yaakov’s story comes full circle in chapter 46, verses 2-4, a passage with many intriguing parallels to a text that we read five weeks ago, about Yaakov starting out on […]
December 15, 2015 by
On the last day of Chanukah, the whole school gathered for a powerful, light-filled ceremony marking the culmination of the Rabin Curriculum on Conflict Resolution. The program centered on the idea of “light” and the “light within” each person. We built a large artistic chanukiah that filled the back wall of the stage. Each grade, from […]
December 10, 2015 by
Chanukah evokes images of sanctity and strength, renewal and dedication. It also brings to the fore the value of giving. This has been a big year of giving at JPDS-NC… and continues to be. From last weekend’s article in The New York Times contrasting the movement of “effective altruism” with emotional and empathetic roots of […]
December 10, 2015 by
Rachel (Levitt) Federowicz can be dubbed a woman of firsts. During the week, she is often the first one in the JPDS-NC South Campus carpool line to pick up her son, David. On Fridays, she is one of the first faces many staff members and students see as she sorts and delivers challahs to the classrooms. […]
