Our Stories

Meet the Middle School Facilities Committee: Co-Chair Emily Appelbaum

February 10, 2016

My family joined JPDS-NC a year ago, in early 2015, after moving to DC from Cambridge, MA. My husband Yoni, daughter Elisheva (2nd grade), son Joshua (Kindergarten), and I are so grateful for the way that JPDS-NC has welcomed our family into its community from day one. When I learned about the opportunity to contribute to the […]

  • #DCJewishMiddleSchool
  • #ThisIsWhy

In the News: Students Create "Art from the Heart" for Area Hospitals

February 9, 2016 by Washington Jewish Week (Press)

Read the Washington Jewish Week article about our amazing students who created artwork to decorate spaces used by young patients and their families at Children’s National Medical Center and at Shady Grove Hospital. Students in grades Kindergarten to 5 created vibrant works of art with “Birkat Habayit: Blessings of the Home” as the theme. Thank […]

  • In the News
  • Tikkun Olam
  • Visual Arts

Meet the Middle School Steering Committee: Co-Chair Steve Laufer

February 3, 2016

When we were looking at elementary school for our kids, we chose JPDS-NC for its academics, for its thoughtful approach to Judaism, and because the community seemed like the right fit for our family. When we started thinking about where we were going to send them for middle school, we again decided that JPDS-NC was […]

  • #DCJewishMiddleSchool
  • #ThisIsWhy
  • Board of Trustees

Meet the Middle School Steering Committee: Co-Chair Marina Feldman

February 3, 2016

Our journey at JPDS-NC began in 2007 when our oldest daughter entered Kitah Shemesh for Kindergarten. From the start, we felt welcomed and embraced by friends and community. We had the feeling that JPDS-NC would be good for our family. We were right. We have been impressed over the years with the academic excellence of the school, […]

  • #DCJewishMiddleSchool
  • #ThisIsWhy
  • Board of Trustees

Moetzet HaTalmidim (Student Council) Organizes Collection Drive for U.S. Troops

February 1, 2016 by Miriam R (’16) (Students) Yael R (’20) (Students)

JPDS-NC students are leading a collection drive to show support for the troops. In every classroom, there is a reusable bag to collect donations. Our student council first organized this drive because we want to thank the people that protect us, and support them so they can keep doing what they do for us. U.S. […]

  • Student Stories
  • Tikkun Olam

Kids Get Cooking with Chesed Cooks!

January 21, 2016 by Mira E (’20) (Students) Willa R (’20) (Students)

Last Sunday, the JPDS-NC Chesed (Kindness) Committee and the Random Acts of Kindness Committee organized a special activity where parents and kids cook meals to help families in need.  More than 20 people came and together we made eight full-size lasagnas and six batches of chocolate chip cookies. Then the food was frozen. When a […]

  • Student Stories
  • Tikkun Olam

How I Became the “Volunteer Type”

January 14, 2016 by Kinney Zalesne (Community)

I never thought I was the volunteer type. In my first year as a JPDS-NC parent, I went on a Kindergarten field trip, hoping to be an asset to the teachers, but I got completely exhausted by the presence of 35 five-year-olds. I figured that my volunteering days were over. But the next year, Adina […]

  • Board of Trustees

Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Federowicz

December 10, 2015 by Vered Asta (Faculty and Staff)

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. […]

  • Ru'ach

Volunteer Spotlight: Steven Aftergood

December 8, 2015 by Sharon Samber (Community)

JPDS-NC’s strength is due, in part, to the dedication of a cadre of talented and energetic parent volunteers. To learn first-hand about what motivates and inspires our volunteers, read the interview with parent Steven Aftergood. What is your volunteer role? Steven: I have volunteered with the JPDS-NC Ru’ach Campaign, which raises funds to help cover the school’s […]

  • #ThisIsWhy
  • Ru'ach

JPDS-NC Volunteers in the Community

May 28, 2015 by Hannah Seidel (Faculty and Staff) Ronit Greenstein (Faculty and Staff)

Part of our mission at JPDS-NC is to teach our students to become knowledgeable, responsible Jews and citizens. Through learning and action, we foster an environment that inspires and deepens our students’ commitment to Jewish living and values, to the community at large, and to the people and state of Israel. Through in-school programs such […]

  • Milton Parents Association
  • Tikkun Olam
  • Washington D.C.