The Jewish Week presents this Spotlight On Education. Please read the advertorial listings as you investigate educational opportunities for yourselves and your families.
Thu, 10/30/2014
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For more information or for an Education Package, please contact your salesperson or ruth@jewishweek.org
The Academy for Jewish Religion
The Academy for Jewish Religion was founded in 1956, unique in its vision. It envisioned the Jewish community as a meeting place where every serious Jew and dedicated Jewish spiritual leader would strive to find the best Jewish path. AJR offers three degree programs, leading to rabbinical ordination, cantorial ordination, and an MA in Jewish Studies.
AJR trains rabbinical and cantorial students as equal partners. Each student at AJR receives a pluralistic education, and finds a spiritual home with a community of learners. We respect where each student begins, and immerse them in a diverse community that challenges each member to struggle with personal beliefs, viewpoints, and practices, and then to grow as individuals and as Jewish leaders.
First- and second-career students are valued for their passion, their commitment, and their personal gifts. They study together as partners, knowing that the variety within our community leads to its richness. AJR is pledged to respect the dignity of every person, and accepts and respects differences of gender, age, sexual orientation, and learning style.
Please join us for our Open House on November 11th. For more information, please call Cantor Lisa Klinger-Kantor at 914-709-0900 x14 or visit us on the web at www.ajrsem.org.
The American Hebrew Academy
An International College Prep Boarding School
The American Hebrew Academy is the only international Jewish college prep boarding school in the world. At the Academy, intellectually adventurous teenagers from 28 states and 31 countries are inspired to pursue excellence in a unique college preparatory environment. The diverse culture, customs and values of Judaism challenge students of all backgrounds to maximize their full academic, personal, and spiritual potential which serve as the foundation for lifelong learning, community service, and global engagement. Rigorous academics, experiential learning, competitive athletics, creative arts, travel around the world, and leadership development are the core of the Academy’s holistic curriculum.
The American Hebrew Academy boasts an internationally acclaimed faculty and staff, state-of-the-art facilities, the world’s largest closed loop geothermal heating and cooling system, and a stunning 100-acre lakefront campus in Greensboro, North Carolina. Graduates are regularly admitted to prestigious colleges and universities and go on to positions of leadership in business, medicine, law, finance, social service, and the Jewish community around the world.
Mark Spielman, Director of Student Recruitment, Office: 336-217-7074, Fax: 336-217-7011, mspielman@americanhebrewacademy.org, www.americanhebrewacademy.org, 4334 Hobbs Road, Greensboro, NC 27410
S.T.E.M Learning ALIVE at Bi-Cultural Day School
The newest members of the Bi-Cultural community don’t carry books, backpacks or even attend class, although they do travel in schools. Exotic and colorful ocean creatures have joined BCDS in a customized coral reef tank.
The primary purpose of the tank is to have a living coral reef that teachers can use to provide real-life examples of living creatures in an ocean-life ecosystem. “Teachers can use the reef to demonstrate any part of an ecosystem, including ecological processes, classification of living things, and symbiotic and co-evolution relationships -- how animals rely on each other,” Gracek explained. The students learn that the reef fish, which include the male and female Lyretailed Anthias, the Green Chromis, the Long-Nosed Hawkfish, and Bullet and Shrimp Goby fish, all play an important role in maintaining a healthy habitat within the tank.
Building beyond the initial coral reef biology unit, Gracek is in the process of developing a set of curriculum plans to incorporate the use of the aquarium in the science curriculum of each grade-level. With the students helping to maintain the delicate balance of precise electrical, plumbing and chemistry levels, Gracek explained that the coral reef tank is an accessible, hands-on way to incorporate S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) into the BCDS science curriculum. “We are measuring chemical parameters, such as salinity, ammonia and nitrate, as well as phosphate levels, making sure that lighting and L.E.D levels are correct and checking bacteriological filters,” explained Gracek, who is assisted in performing these necessary functions with the help of an after-school ecology club, as we’ll as the spontaneous audiences that invariably pop up when Mr. Gracek performs his daily checks of the tank. Students can also practice their math skills figuring volumes and percentages using in the aquarium.
Gracek also explained that an additional benefit of the tank is to “add a level of depth and knowledge” for students to reference during their snorkeling activity in Eilat on the 8th grade month long Israel Experience trip.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Joanne Karow at jkarow@bcds.org or (203)-329-2186.
Carmel Academy Welcomes THE Community to November 2 Open House
Carmel Academy will host its Open House on Sunday, November 2 from 10 a.m. – Noon at the school’s 270 Lake Avenue campus in Greenwich, CT.
The Open House will give prospective families an opportunity to meet the school’s leadership and faculty, as well as a chance to tour the historic, 17-acre campus. Children and parents will get to experience hands-on, interactive learning activities with Carmel Academy early childhood educators.
Carmel Academy is a Jewish day school serving children from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade. The Carmel Academy community is vibrant and diverse, attracting families of all Jewish affiliations from Fairfield and Westchester Counties, Riverdale and Manhattan.
Accredited with distinction by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, Carmel offers the benefit of low student-teacher ratios, small skills-based instructional group learning, and experienced masters-level teachers. Students participate in a wide-array of extracurricular activities and interscholastic team sports, as well as award-winning science, technology, engineering, arts and technology (STEAM) enrichment programs.
Carmel Academy offers rigorous academic preparation, using expertly designed, integrated general and Judiac studies curricula. Carmel’s values-based education encourages students to grow as human beings through its custom-developed values and character development program. The school’s graduates go on to the finest Jewish and independent high schools in the country.
For more information, to schedule a tour, or to RSVP to the Carmel Academy Open House, please contact Director of Admissions, Daneet Brill, at daneet.brill@.carmelacademy.com or 203-983-3503.
Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, A Synagogue for All Ages
Judaism and the Jewish people have survived for over 3000 years thanks to the depth, breadth and richness of our tradition. In today’s world, many liberal Jews choose to affiliate with synagogues when their children become ready to start training for a bar or bat mitzvah ceremony. The Jewish community, of course, celebrates the decision of people to affiliate for any reason. Those of us in the liberal Jewish community have a special obligation to show the parents of these children that Judaism is not only for their children – rather Jewish religion, culture and peoplehood has a depth and richness for adults of all ages that can add meaning to everyone’s life.
Outreach to adults takes many forms. Parent & Child family education mornings help parents set an example for their children. Adult education courses for parents that run during religious school help parents delve into the deeper parts of our tradition. Lectures and courses in Sacred Aging help people live the third third of their lives with meaning and connection through Jewish community, and Jewish perspectives on important decisions and continued social and intellectual stimulation.
To find out more about programs and membership at Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester in Rye, please call 914-967-4382 x18 or visit them at www.congregationemanuel.org.
East Midwood Hebrew Day School
East Midwood Hebrew Day School offers a wonderful education. Our foremost responsibility is to develop a child’s intellect by inspiring a love of learning. Our curriculum is integrated across the disciplines and is distinctively hands-on. Students are active learners as they deliver oral presentations, grapple with mathematical concepts and engage in Hebrew as a living language. They immerse themselves in academic, sports, art, music and cultural explorations.
Judaic instruction includes an intensive Hebrew language curriculum utilizing state of the art programs such as Tal Am and Neta, Chumash, Navi and Dinim. Students engage in Tefila every day. Older students participate in the reading of the Torah on Monday and Thursday mornings. Appreciation and knowledge of Jewish history and the State of Israel are very important priorities.
In General Studies, the journey begins in our Nursery and Universal Pre-K classes. The children engage in early foundation academic work along with social/emotional development. They learn through collaborative play as well as centers, circle time and differentiated activities. In the elementary grades and middle school all areas of academics are aligned with the Common Core State Standards and differentiated learning is practiced. Our rigorous curriculum prepares students to take regents exams in both Math and Science. Our classes are small and all of our General Studies teachers are certified, many with advanced degrees. Our teachers bring with them many years of professional experience. We offer our students full science and computer labs as well as a growing after school program that includes art and basketball. We are proud to say that our students have achieved admission to the top religious, public and private high schools throughout the city.
Equally as important, our school offers our students and families a warm and caring school climate and culture. Our administration and faculty devote themselves to the academic and social/emotional growth of each child. Families from all walks of Jewish life are embraced and respected.
Our tuition is affordable with scholarships available. For information and to arrange a visit to our school, please contact Regina Elmkies, Admissions Coordinator at 718-253-1555.
Gesher Yehuda Yeshiva
A Mainstream Jewish Education for Students with Learning Differences
The start of a new school year excites many students. At the ring of the first bell on the first day the learning possibilities seem infinite. However, through no fault of their own there are students who suffer unduly in the classroom setting. For any one of a myriad of learning differences they gain little from the lessons. Many lose confidence as they suffer ridicule from classmates who don’t understand their heightened confusion. Good schools offer remediation, therapy and evaluations. Engaged parents provide tutors for countless hours but some pupils still need a specific educational plan the typical school doesn’t offer. According to the U.S. Department of Education less than 3/4 of students with LD graduate from high school with a regular diploma.
This is where Gesher Yehuda Yeshiva comes in. For over two decades parents have watched their children travel from frustrated isolation to a full blown love and competency of learning. Truly a learning bridge, many students transition back into typical schools and colleges. We provide a full NY State curriculum, a full Judaic Studies syllabus and at the High School level -college guidance. In addition our High School students attend non-academic activities such as hesed programs, sports, clubs, seminars and more at YOF Joel Braverman High School. This successful socialization reminds students that the way in which they learn makes them no different from their grade peers and is an important anchor of our program.
Our alumni have gained admission to Kingsboro College, the NY school of Dramatic Arts, Nursing School, and others. They number small business owners, IDF soldiers, entrepreneurs, and community members. On the flip side it is a growing travesty of the 21st century that despite ample effort and resources there exist some families entrenched in old notions. They fear the social stigma of learning differences more than they fear illiteracy. This dread delays their seeking help, prolonging the children’s frustration when they could be learning.
Parents currently concerned with the educational progress of their child are urged to contact Gesher Yehuda Yeshiva and Yeshiva Prep High School for a consultation today. 718-714-7400 www.gesheryehuda.org
The Abraham Joshua Heschel High School
Founded on values of pluralism and social justice that reflect the character of it’s namesake, The Abraham Joshua Heschel High School offers a rigorous Jewish and general studies academic program with comprehensive integration of the arts.
Students engage deeply with text, ideas, teachers, and one another and are taught to think critically. Talented and dedicated faculty members are invested in the success of all students. Our graduates are accepted to a broad range of selective colleges and universities that reflect their talents and passions. Many spend a gap year in Israel.
The High School offers Honors classes across the disciplines, opportunities to engage in hands-on science and math research, summer placements in prestigious labs across the city, and internship opportunities with non-profit organizations.
Multiple prayer options including a mechitza minyan reflect the diversity of our student body.
Experiential education is integral to the Heschel High School. A spirited group of elected students represent their peers in student government and help to plan and implement programming that celebrates and commemorates holidays on the Jewish and American calendars. Va’adat Hesed leads the school’s outreach initiatives. Students have repeatedly distinguished themselves in debate, literary magazine, Model UN, a capella, and athletics.
The Abraham Joshua Heschel School is dedicated to inspiring its students to become responsible, active, compassionate citizens, and leaders in the Jewish and world communities.
The Jewish High School of Connecticut (JHSC)
The Board of Trustees of the Jewish High School of Connecticut (JHSC) announced an introductory tuition of $18,500 for the academic year of 2015-2016. JHSC is now in the Stamford Technology Center, which offers research labs and is close to the Stamford train station. “We are offering our high caliber program at this tuition to introduce ourselves,” stated Randie Weseley, President of the Board.
JHSC is accredited by the New England Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The challenging college preparatory program is supported by a faculty committed to individualized attention and mentoring. “Students are encouraged to attain the full measure of their potential. We believe that every person has a talent and a passion and it is up to us to help our students pursue or uncover their unique gifts,” said Susan Birke Fiedler, Acting Head of School. “The scope of course opportunities is astounding,” said Miriam Gerber, a 2014 Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. “The faculty’s breadth of knowledge and willingness to explore student’s interests create a dynamic and supportive academic environment.”
Open House: Sunday, November 9, 2014, 1:00-3:00 pm., 1937 W. Main St., Stamford. Students entering all grades may apply (e-mail admissions@jhsct.org or call 203.357.0850).
Jewish Day School, Yeshiva & Camp Fair
BLOCKBUSTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL/CAMP FAIR OFFERS ONE-STOP SHOPPING OF OPTIONS FOR K THROUGH COLLEGE
Growth highlights community interest in learning about regional options for families
More than 60 Jewish day schools, yeshivot, and camps from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as several Israel programs, will participate in the Tri-State Area Regional Jewish Day School, Yeshiva, and Camp Fair on Sunday, November 16, 2014 from 10 am to noon. The fair will be held at Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York.
The number of this year’s schools, camps, and programs represents a significant growth from last year’s event, with its 33 participants. With more than 250 visitors last year, the fair opened its doors to an even greater number of exhibitors to meet the rising interest in learning about the breadth of opportunities available to enhance children’s Jewish identity.
“Fostering a strong Jewish identity in our children is critical to ensuring Jewish continuity, and numerous studies have proven that a Jewish day school, camp, and Israel program experiences are the most effective means of developing a child’s Jewish identity,” explained Evan Levy, President of Carmel Academy in Greenwich, Connecticut, and one of the organizers of the fair.
Modeled after a college fair, the Tri-State Area Regional Jewish Day School, Yeshiva and Camp Fair is free and open to all, and coincides with the peak of the fall recruiting season. Crossing all levels of religious observance, the fair enables parents and students/campers to explore the varying programs and styles of the participating schools, camps and Israel programs by visiting one central location.
The Tri-State Area Regional Jewish Day School, Yeshiva and Camp Fair is jointly sponsored by Beth El Synagogue Center, The Jewish Education Project, The Jewish Week Media Group, PJ Library, RAVSAK, UJA-Federation of New York, and The Westchester Jewish Council. Each family attending will be eligible to enter into a free raffle for a $1,000 scholarship to any of the participating schools or camps. Acclaimed author Ellen Bari will also be at the fair to read and sign copies of her blockbuster book “Jumping Jenny.” Additional information is available at www.jewishfair.org.
The sponsorship of the fair reflects the breath of support to expand participation in Jewish day school and yeshiva education, Jewish camp experiences and Israel programs for teens and young adults.
Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle, just outside NYC, is an active, thriving community that provides a wide range of religious, educational, social and community activities for all ages, allowing the synagogue to engage its Jewish heritage and explore all aspects of Jewish life. Boasting an award-winning Nursery School, Day Camp with inground pool, Religious School and active seniors programming, Beth El offers something for everyone.
The Jewish Education Project works with educators, Rabbis, principals, and volunteers to create outstanding Jewish experiences for 160,000 children, teens and families in 800 programs in Westchester, Long Island, and New York City. Together they create outstanding Jewish experiences that go beyond meeting the needs of Jewish kids and families to make a real difference in their lives.
The Jewish Week Media Group brings events, programs and publications that connect and strengthen the Jewish community in New York and around the world.
PJ Library is a Jewish family engagement program implemented on a local level throughout North America. PJ Library mails free, high-quality Jewish children’s literature and music to families across the continent on a monthly basis. PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. Today, families in hundreds of communities across the United States and Canada are able to explore the timeless core values of Judaism through books and music.
RAVSAK strengthens and sustains the life, leadership and learning of Jewish community day schools, ensuring a vibrant Jewish future. RAVSAK creates and manages high quality, cutting-edge programmatic opportunities fostering learning and professional growth for administrative leaders, teachers and students. RAVSAK programs enable school stakeholders to interface with their colleagues for the benefit of the entire field of day school education.
For more than 95 years, UJA-Federation of New York has inspired New Yorkers to act on their values and invest in our community for the biggest impact. Through UJA-Federation, more than 55,000 donors address issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and Jews everywhere, to connect people to their Jewish communities, and to respond to crises close to home and around the globe. Working with nearly 100 network beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, UJA-Federation is the world’s largest local philanthropy; our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org.
The Westchester Jewish Council
is the central communicating, coordinating, convening advisory and resource body for the county’s Jewish community, representing over 150 Jewish organizations and serving 150,000 Jews. As Westchester’s Jewish community relations organization, the Council unites Westchester Jewry with the State of Israel, fosters communication among Jewish organizations and cultivates and strengthens relations with other ethnic groups, elected officials and the community at large, as well as encouraging participation in Jewish life and supporting and developing initiatives and programs that meet existing and emerging Jewish communal needs.
JTS
Tomorrow’s Leaders Study at JTS Today
Devoted to advancing Jewish life and uniquely prepared to serve the world as innovative thinkers, community builders, and active global citizens, students and graduates of The Jewish Theological Seminary take on leadership roles in the Jewish community’s most valued institutions and beyond.
JTS Encompasses Five Schools
• Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies (undergraduate dual-degree programs with Columbia University and Barnard College)
• The Graduate School
• William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education
• The Rabbinical School
• H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music
JTS Develops Leaders
JTS fortifies Jewish life by turning serious scholarship and teaching into transformative action and leadership—in classrooms, camps, synagogues, communities, and new models of Jewish engagement across North America.
JTS Believes in . . .
The study and practice of Torah • Passionate learning • Excellence in teaching • Intellectual rigor • Contributing to Jewish life at every point in the life cycle • Connecting students with the multidimensional realities of Israel today • Studying original texts and their application to modern Jewish life • Advancing Hebrew language as a way to connect the worldwide Jewish community • Service to and engagement with the North American Jewish community
JTS Ensures . . .
A vibrant Jewish future on more fronts than any other institution. It prepares outstanding Jewish leaders—innovative educators, rabbis, cantors, professional and lay leaders, and scholars—and incubates tomorrow’s best ideas.
JTS Provides . . .
The highest caliber of lifelong learning—including professional development, adult education, distance learning, second-career training, part-time study for doctoral and MA degrees, and more—to communities throughout North America and, in its world-class JTS Library, preserves the greatest collection of Hebraica and Judaica in the Western Hemisphere for future generations to come. JTS connects Jews with Jewish life in meaningful ways.
JTS Alumni Get Things Done
JTS graduates work in more than 600 congregations and schools, 100 Jewish organizations worldwide, 150 major universities, 35 JCCs, Federations, camps, and other institutions, and have founded many innovative organizations, including Avodah, Hadar, Ikar, and Encounter.
JTS Is For You
While our rabbinical and cantorial schools are dedicated to students who identify as Conservative Jews, our other schools are nondenominational and welcome all students who wish to study Jewish education and undergraduate and graduate Jewish studies.
Why Settle for Less?
To learn more about JTS and the opportunities available to you, visit our website at www.jtsa.edu.
The Jewish Theological Seminary, 3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, (212) 678-8000
Kehillah School for Early Learning
The Kehillah School for Early Learning is a unique community within Temple Israel of New Rochelle, providing both part-time and full-time education for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. At the Kehillah School, child-centered emergent learning in a Jewish context is integrated with the Bright Horizons Family Solutions World at their Fingertips curricula, bringing together the best of two worlds for children and families. Program choices range from three six-hour days to five twelve-hour days, school year or calendar year, with special Kamp Kehillah activities in summer. Fostering the importance of family, friends and shared experiences, this home away from home provides nurturing care and an ideal environment for children of all faiths and learning styles. Director Nancy Bossov, nationally recognized for her advocacy and consulting work in developing the field of Jewish early education, is committed to maintaining the highest standards of early childhood education. Designed to meet the needs of working parents, Kehillah is the only Jewish early learning center in Westchester County to offer full-time education. This new, state-of-the-art facility, housed within Temple Israel of New Rochelle, is located at 1000 Pinebrook Blvd. in New Rochelle, NY. Created to cultivate the exercise of children’s bodies, minds and spiritual life, the Kehillah School for Early Learning provides a beautiful place for children to learn and grow. To learn more about this welcoming community, go to www.KehillahSchool.org on the web, write to Kehillah@TINR.org, or call 914-637-3808.
Temple Israel of New Rochelle, 1000 Pinebrook Boulevard, New Rochelle, NY 10804
Kinneret Day School
Kinneret Day School is one of New York City ’s best kept secrets. Located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx , Kinneret provides students from across the spectrum of Jewish practice with a cutting-edge education in a warm, nurturing environment.
Serving students in Nursery through Eighth Grade, Kinneret Day School has a proven record of excellence in Judaic and secular studies. On average over 75% of Kinneret graduates are accepted into the best specialized high schools in the city,with many choosing to enter elite private and jewish schools. Kinneret offers a one-of-a-kind combination of varied educational opportunities synthesized with Jewish values, Jewish knowledge, and love of Israel .
To learn more about Kinneret Day School, please visit our website at www.kinneretdayschool.org. To schedule an appointment, please call our school office at 718-548-0900.
MANHATTAN DAY SCHOOL
Manhattan Day School / Yeshiva Ohr Torah (MDS), a Modern Orthodox Yeshiva on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is proud to celebrate our 72nd year of commitment to excellence in Jewish learning and general studies for pre-school, elementary, and middle school students.
We are proud religious Zionists, guided by Torah values and ahavat Eretz Yisrael – love of the State of Israel. Our dual curriculum challenges our children to be their best as Jews, learners, and members of a larger community. Our comprehensive general studies program has prepared generations of students to pursue their education at the finest Yeshiva high schools.
The learning environment at MDS is dynamic. We provide our students with the best and most innovative tools for learning – SMART boards, iPads for middle school students, and joint programs with cultural, educational, and social service institutions. Our program values every kind of learner who comes through our doors; we believe every child has an important contribution to make to klal Yisrael – the Jewish community.
Come visit and learn why our children think of MDS as a second home. We invite you to join us on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:30pm for our Open House, the “Manhattan Day School Early Childhood Experience.” This evening will provide you with an opportunity to meet and speak with members of the Early Childhood faculty as well as well as current parents.
Here’s a taste of what our students say about MDS:
“I love MDS so much I wish I could go to MDS college.”
Kindergarten student
“I am a part of the Science Enrichment Neurobiology program at MDS… [with] Rabbi Muller, a scientist at Columbia University…[Recently] I went to Columbia to meet his students and to see what he does in his workspace…Being part of this has shown me you can do anything you set your mind to…and make a big impact on the world.”
6th grade student
“In Mrs. Melzer’s class we’re learning about the Holocaust and its importance…My generation has to learn about it so we can teach it to future generations.”
8th grade student
Please contact Cindy Sherman, Director of Admissions, at 212-376-6800 ext. 834 to attend our Open House or to schedule a personal tour and see how MDS is “Fostering a Lifetime of Lear
MATAN
1 in 68 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with Autism.
15% of children in the U.S. struggle with a learning disability.
One million children in the United States are Jewish.
Matan helps ensure that, as a Jewish community, we say “YES” to these 200,000 children and to their families.
Through innovative training programs such as The Matan Institute, Matan empowers the Jewish leaders of today and tomorrow across the country, across all denominations, so they are confident in, and capable of, including all learners.
From Boulder to Bethesda, St. Louis to Scarsdale and beyond, Jewish children
experience classrooms and camps that are conducive to different learning needs because of Matan’s efforts.
Matan sets the standard for inclusion in Jewish education.
To learn more about Matan and how we can help your community include all learners, contact us at info@matankids.org.
Matan advocates for Jewish students with special needs, empowers their families, and educates Jewish leaders, teachers and communities so that all Jewish children have access to a rich and meaningful Jewish education.
Matan: For every child. For every community. The gift of Jewish learning.
info@matankids.org, 866-410-5600, www.matankids.org
NAALE CONTINUES HERZL’S DREAM
Youth Aliyah strongly impacted the foundation of Israel, more than any other group in history. Many young minds travelled to Israel with dreams of building the country into the proud, resilient nation it is today. Even now, Jewish youth from across the world come to study, protect, serve, and build the homeland.
Dr. Benny Fisher, director of Rural Education and Youth Aliyah in Israel’s Ministry of Education, said that Israel thrives as a result of the children who choose to travel to Israel and temporarily leave their families behind. Fisher oversees all the youth villages in Israel, including those that host Naale Elite Academy students.
“This is what this country was built on, and I feel stronger knowing that these youth are still coming. To be here alone in this country, you need to be very strong, you need power. I study these children, I work with them all the time, and I feel their spirit and their power every day.”
Naale Elite Academy scholarship recipients come from nearly 30 countries around the globe, including the US, UK, Europe and South Africa. This year, 503 arrived in Israel – 76 from the United States, of which 22 were from the New York area.
A top quality Israeli high school program for Diaspora Jews, Naale enables students to complete their last three years of high school in Israel. This unique experience teaches them independence, self-sufficiency and resilience. The students are granted a full scholarship with all expenses paid until graduation.
Although the students are not impelled to join the army or make Aliyah upon graduation, many in the past have independently chosen to do so. These Naale Elite Academy graduates have followed their predecessors, the early pioneers of the state, and have helped to build Israel and made a lasting impact in their own distinctive and inspiring ways.
For more information about the Naale Elite Academy, visit www.elite-academy.org/
Park East Day School
In a joyful, coeducational environment for boys and girls toddler through grade eight, Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School inspires a passion for learning and discovery, creativity and higher order thinking. Academic excellence in both General and Judaic Studies is pursued with an emphasis on the development of each child’s individual gifts and talents as well as a strong understanding of Jewish identity, heritage, and culture.
The Early Childhood Center is warm and nurturing, a perfect place for preschoolers to learn to become risk takers, problem solvers, and creative thinkers. An interdisciplinary approach revolving around the Jewish holidays, Shabbat, Torah stories and values, Israel, and the calendar incorporates the early literacy skills of language development, reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Prayer, Hebrew language immersion, and customs and traditions become part of daily experiences. Act II, our well attended after school co-curricular program, is open to children ages three through the grades.
Park East’s Lower School, kindergarten through grade five, builds upon this atmosphere of love and trust. Using a non-competitive, collaborative approach, the curriculum is differentiated and enriched in all core disciplines. Math, science and technology fairs, holiday assemblies and special programming, Color War and interdisciplinary events make learning fun. The study of Torah, Prophets, Prayer, and Laws and Customs ensures the continuity of our heritage “from generation to generation.” Special classes of art, music, library, computers, gym, dance and chess provide a well-rounded education for students on all grade levels.
Organizational and study skills, learning strategies, and research skills in both General and Judaic Studies are an integral part of Middle School education at Park East. Students in grades six through eight incorporate technology as a tool for learning in all subject areas. Gifted education in math and science, an engineering program to enhance problem solving and critical thinking, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education, NASA digital learning programs, the study of Gemara (Talmud), advanced Ivrit courses in literature and writing, a Jewish history course of studies, and Spanish are all added to the curriculum.
Rabbi Arthur Schneier’s vision permeates the educational philosophy of his school. Academic excellence is the first step in preparing our children to be part of the global society. His acclaimed International Visitors Program gives our graduates a unique world view as well as poise, confidence and sophistication as they mature.
Park East Day School, 164 E 68th St, New York, NY 10065, (212) 737-7330, www.parkeastdayschool.org
THE RAMAZ SCHOOL
In the heart of New York City is Ramaz - a Modern Orthodox Day School with a rich history of Jewish education, academic distinction, and nurturing of individual abilities and aspirations.
Anchored in the teaching of Torah and mitzvot, students’ lives are enriched by a love for Israel; an exceptional, devoted faculty; a Hebrew immersion program that begins in Nursery; the cultural resources of Manhattan; and pride in their American heritage.
To be a student at Ramaz is to be encouraged, supported, and taught how to discover the best in oneself and in others, and to gain a profound, spirited sense of responsibility to the world.
Ramaz is where chesed, co-curricular activities, sports teams, and the performing arts are central in school life. Where students learn to respect tradition, and at the same time, to challenge norms. Where inclusivity is not just a lesson, it’s a core value. It is where young children become leaders who contribute to the Jewish community and improve the world around them.
Ramaz is a school from nursery through 12th grade, but its education lasts a lifetime.
The Ramaz School, ECC & Lower School, 125 East 85th St., New York 10028 | Middle School, 114 East 85th Street, New York 10028 | Upper School, 60 East 78th Street, NY 10075 , pper School Admissions: 212-774-8093 | ECC, Lower School, and Middle School Admissions: 212-774-8025
Rodeph Sholom School Enriches Excellent Academics with Reform Jewish Values
Community Service and Service Learning Projects Teach Students How to Make a Difference
Rodeph sholom means “pursuers of peace,” and at Rodeph Sholom School, we are clear about our commitment to this and the other Reform Jewish values that are integrated in our rigorous academic program. RSS is the only N-8 Reform Jewish independent school in Manhattan, and our reputation for graduating smart, good kids is the direct result of our mission to guide the development of self-confident and socially responsible leaders. In the context of a warm, nurturing community here on the Upper West Side, we teach and challenge our students to think critically, analyze text, and make informed choices every day.
One area of our program that illustrates this commitment is the use of community service as a teaching tool. Guided by our sacred texts and Jewish tradition, we affirm Tikkun Olam—the responsibility to repair the world and pursue a vision of justice—as a pillar of our teaching. We encourage our students to see their Jewish identity as a clarion call to face the challenges and needs of the world around them, transforming privilege into responsibility and learning into action. We connect our students with people whose lives may be different from their own, and empower them to make a difference.
Service learning helps children make real life connections to their classroom work, and teaches the skills and attitudes needed for responsible, active citizenship. One example of service learning at RSS is associated with the tradition of tzedakah, the obligation to give charity to others. Each homeroom class and middle school grade level has a tzedakah box to which students are asked to contribute on a weekly basis. The collections are then donated to carefully selected organizations that relate to the curriculum.
Our academic program also involves grade-level service projects, such as an 8th Grade advocacy program during which students research organizations in Israel that address the root causes of world social justice issues. The students ultimately select one of these organizations and provide service to it during a culminating year-end trip to Israel.
Our community service program is just one example of the many ways in which Rodeph Sholom School fosters care and commitment for Judaism in its students. Visit our website at www.rodephsholomschool.org or come tour our campus to learn more about our extraordinary faculty, and caring community.
Please contact the Admissions Office at 646.438.8600 or admissions@rssnyc.org to schedule your visit. We look forward to welcoming you.
Shalom Yeladim ECC
“Educate a child according to their way, and even when they have grown, they will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
Whether a child begins our program as an infant, toddler or pre-k student, the Morot and staff at Shalom Yeladim create a happy and warm environment for children to prosper as they move from home to school. We work closely with each student to ensure a positive growth, socially, cognitively, in language, etc.
Our curriculum is deeply rooted in the Jewish holidays and a love of Torah and Eretz Yisrael. We believe that our children learn best through a combination of learning through play and teacher guidance. Our day includes morning davening, learning circle, pretend play, arts and crafts, music, and physical education. Each classroom at Shalom Yeladim has a Hebrew-speaking teacher and we incorporate Hebrew language into our daily routine. We pride ourselves on instilling a love for Yahadut through our weekly Shabbat parties, Yom Haatzmaut trip to Israel, mock Pesach Seder, Chanukah chagigahs, Purim carnival and much more!
We welcome you to join our family! See our ad in this newspaper.
Shalom Yeladim is located at 135 Bennett Avenue in NYC. To schedule an appointment or for more information, 212-960-8212. Visit our website at shalomyeladim.com
Schechter School of Long Island: Excellence, Community, Possibilities
At Schechter, we develop a child’s intellect by inspiring a love of learning, and ignite a child’s inner spark through Jewish values, integrity and faith. The results? Excellence. Community. Possibilities.
Is there a right time to begin a Schechter education? Most of our students begin their Schechter journey in Kindergarten, where they lay the foundation for 13 years of exploration and discovery. For students who discover Schechter later in their academic careers, we successfully support their transition from public school and other private schools. With 4 Schechter Network middle schools feeding into our high school, 9th grade is always a dynamic year that includes many new students hailing from over 10 different middle schools. Let this be the year that you begin your own Schechter journey.
Join us for our upcoming Open Houses:
Lower School – Thursday, November 13th @ 7:30 pm
1 Barbara Lane, Jericho, NY 11753
Middle School – Wednesday, November 19th @ 7:00 pm
6 Cross Street, Williston Park, NY 11596
High School – Sunday, November 16th @ 10:00 am
6 Cross Street, Williston Park, NY 11596
Now accepting applications. Contact: admissions@schechterli.org; (516) 935-1441 x1115
Solomon Schechter Westchester: Full STEAM Ahead
Schechter Westchester is home to a brand new, cutting edge facility that has taken the school’s already successful science and engineering program to a whole new level. The Idea Incubator, also known as the Inc, occupies a redesigned space at Schechter’s Upper School where students conceive of, collaborate on, and prototype their technological ideas. Ultimately serving as a workshop for all disciplines of STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), the Inc fosters students’ innate creativity, providing setting and tools for cultivating innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
The creation of the Idea Incubator positions Schechter Westchester at the forefront of a movement in STEAM education that places strong emphasis on creative applications of new technologies and practical skills. The “maker culture,” as it is sometimes called, has been recognized as having the potential to engage students in STEAM subjects who might otherwise feel intimidated or put off by science and math. When problems are posed in concrete situations, as they are in spaces like the Inc, students take more responsibility for their learning.
Funded by a generous grant, the Inc houses a slew of fabrication tools including 3D printer, woodworking and metal tools, and a CNC router. One side of the room features a laptop bar outfitted with Macs, PCs and iPads. All the workstations are custom-made and mobile, so the space can be configured as needed, depending on what projects the students are working on. And the walls and cabinets are painted with a substance similar to dry erase board, so the burgeoning engineers can write down their ideas as they arise.
The result is an open, collaborative work environment that attracts a remarkably diverse selection of students. Groups research ideas and present them to their peers. Classes form “companies” and create products from scratch, or advance existing technologies through the use of basic electronics and computer programming.
One aspect of Schechter Westchester’s Idea Incubator sets it notably apart from other “maker’s spaces” cropping up in public libraries and community centers around the country. Written in large black letters on one of the walls of the workspace are the words: TECH-UN OLAM. The point is clear: the mission of the Inc includes the incorporation of Jewish values into student learning. To that end, speakers from Israel often visit classes to talk about the explosion of high tech innovation going on in that country. The value of gemilut Chasidim, or social action, is built into many of the assigned projects. Students are encouraged to come up with ideas and devices that address real human needs, potentially making a positive difference to society. The Inc provides Schechter Westchester students the opportunity to grow into creative, collaborative and compassionate problem solvers, teaching them essential skills they’ll need to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
For more information about the Idea Incubator and other exciting programs at Schechter Westchester, please visit their website at www.schechterwestchester.org.
The Shefa School
The Shefa School is a new Jewish community day school in Manhattan currently serving students in grades 2-5. Shefa will ultimately enroll children in grades K-8 who would benefit from a specialized educational environment in order to develop their strengths while addressing their learning challenges. We specifically serve students with language basedlearning disabilities who have not yet reached their potential levels of success in traditional classroom settings. Shefa is a pluralistic community school serving families across the range of Jewish involvement and observance.
Shefa is the first of its kind: a school providing excellent research-based instruction to children with language-based learning disabilities, seamlessly integrated with Jewish community, culture, and traditions. At Shefa, students experience a comprehensive Jewish values-based education that builds upon individual strengths while teaching students the skills to realize their academic potential, with the goal of enabling them to return successfully to mainstream settings. All instruction throughout the day is specifically designed to maximize the learning of students with language-based learning disabilities. Features of our educational model include: research-based multisensory instructional programs, small class size with special educators working collaboratively with a Speech-Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist, and a comprehensive and balanced program of both academic and enrichment activities such as arts, physical education, and robotics. Visit us at www.shefaschool.org to learn more.
The Technion
Study with the best,
reach the top
Earn an international master’s degree in Systems Engineering at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Next fall, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology will kick off a new 15-month international Systems Engineering master’s program in English. The project-based, non-thesis program is geared to students who are seeking to advance their careers and enhance their knowledge about this riveting field.
The Master’s in Systems Engineering program curriculum delivers foundation, core and advanced courses that develop expertise in the functional domains of engineering and technology management, as well as advanced courses that emphasize practical applications.
As a part of the program, students will visit leading corporations, start-up companies and technological incubators throughout Israel, and meet with top figures from Israel’s science and tech communities. Students will gain insights from experts in the field, including two Nobel Prize winners and other distinguished members of the Technion faculty.
Throughout the course of the 15-month program, students will connect with their Israeli peers and tour Israel. International Students can join a Hebrew Ulpan. In addition to the formal studies, students have the option to enroll in a Beit Midrash or Jewish Leadership track. Students in the Beit Midrash track will learn in a yeshiva with Rabbi Professor Eliyahu Zini, a mathematics professor and the former Technion Rabbi. In the Jewish Leadership track, students will participate in riveting presentations on Israel, Judaism and leadership.
“The Technion is a great place for American students to gain practical skills for a successful career and explore Israel,” said Dr. Avi Galor-Ginzburg, director of the program. ”Graduates will get personalized connections to many leaders of Israel’s high-tech industry. The Technion’s multi-disciplinary program, which includes excellent academics and elective Beit Midrash or Jewish Leadership tracks, will give you a full degree taught by some of the best professors in the world.”
The Technion’s International Systems Engineering Master’s Degree Program is accepting applications for October 2015. For more information, visit www.technion-me-program.com or contact Dr. Avi Galor-Ginzburg at technion.me.program@gmail.com
Westchester Day School
Once Upon A Time…
There was a beautiful land in Mamaroneck, NY, a sprawling 26-acre beachfront campus, that was home to Westchester Day School.
Each morning boys and girls arrived in their chariots from all over Westchester, the Bronx and Connecticut, excited to face a new day filled with hands-on, interactive learning. They alighted from their golden carriages, greeted by the smiling faces of the warm and nurturing faculty who were eager to model and impart menschlechkeit and Jewish values alongside academic excellence.
Students walked along the grounds, passing a ropes course, climbing wall, playgrounds and fields on which Westchester Day School’s boys and girls lived the mantra “healthy minds, healthy bodies.” They also passed the royal community garden in which students grew delicious vegetables and learned valuable science and environmental lessons.
In the distance lay the coach house and castle, where young lads and lasses learned by doing, collaborating, problem solving, and valuing others’ achievements. In the castle’s classrooms, students deep in thought about Talmud, Math, Hebrew and Social Studies looked out across the land to the beautiful Long Island Sound.
One of the children’s favorite parts about WDS was that it was part of a much bigger kingdom – and that at WDS there were programs and projects designed to connect the boys and girls of Westchester Day School to the local fiefdoms, other Jews in the faraway land of Israel, and indeed, the global kingdom.
Students knew that the lessons they learned at WDS were the beginning of a way of life that they would carry with them to the finest high schools, universities and professions, to wherever their unique stories took them.
Open Minds. Open Hearts. Open Arms...the cornerstones of the Westchester Day School story. Be a part of it – attend our Open Houses, November 10-14th: www.westchesterday.org/openhouse2014 or contact Allison Lyons, Director of Admissions, at alyons@westchesterday.org or 914-698-8900 ext. 134., 856 Orienta Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY., www.westchesterday.org
Westchester Hebrew High School
The WHHS academic experience is designed to cultivate the personal and religious growth of each student. A Westchester education means a customized academic program designed to meet the needs of every individual student. We encourage our students to explore their passions and interests and give them the opportunity to do so, whether through honors courses and special programming, support in our Learning Center, limitless on-line courses or our EDGE Program.
Throughout their four years at Westchester, students are in an environment whereby they are taught through study and led by example that academic success alone does not define a person. We instill in our students both respect for and an understanding of what it means to live a life with love of Torah, an obligation of mitzvot, and Medinat Yisrael.
A 21st century academic education must make what is taught relevant to the lives of students. We have found that one of the best ways to achieve this goal is through inter-disciplinary instruction. We consciously apply knowledge, principles, and values to more than one academic subject simultaneously. By doing this, students make meaningful connections to what they are learning.
The joining of relevant learning and encouragement of independent thought and study yields exciting results. Students are able to hone in and delve more deeply into areas of interest, such as our aspiring diplomat who is now studying Arabic and our Westchester Scholar who is now studying Advanced Gemara one-on-one with the Rav of Yeshivat Hakotel.
By providing students with a Jewish education combined with the tools for academic success, the confidence to question, and the freedom to explore, we give our students the Westchester advantage for today and for their tomorrows.
For more information, please contact Shari Levitan, Director of Admissions at 914.698.0806 ext. 308 or email admissions@whhsny.org You can visit our website www.whhsny.org
Yeshiva Har Torah
Building the Jewish Future, One Child at a Time
Yeshiva Har Torah is an exciting, innovative, child centered, centrist Orthodox Yeshiva for boys and girls, where children love to learn. In its new, five story, state of the art facility, YHT remains focused on its primary mission of engaging the hearts, minds and souls of each of its students in a warm and nurturing environment. The Yeshiva strives to develop a love for learning within each student, as each student is given the skills and confidence to succeed and express his or her unique qualities. Through a sophisticated and challenging curriculum in Jewish and General Studies which encourages the pursuit of excellence in all academic areas, students learn to think, problem solve and collaborate as they learn the skills necessary to make meaningful contributions within general society and K’lal Yisroel. The meaningful relationships which the students develop with their Rebbeim, Morot and teachers are a hallmark of the program and a highlight of the students’ experience.
The YHT Early Childhood Program sets the standard for excellence as it fosters the emotional, social, physical, religious and intellectual growth of their students. Creatively integrating Hebrew Language, Parsha themes, a Balanced Literacy program, Handwriting Without Tears, the computer based Waterford Program and a unique Empathy Curriculum through which students learn about emotions, children thrive and a life-long love for learning is cultivated. School wide alignment with the Common Core standards begins in Kindergarten
As a school committed to Ivrit B’Ivrit instruction, YHT continues to train teachers and successfully implement their Hebrew immersion Tal Am program. In addition, they have effectively incorporated the L’Havin U’Lehaskil Program (Hebrew Edition), a skill based Chumash curriculum for grades 2-4. YHT offers its students the opportunity to participate in math enrichment, hands on learning, differentiated instruction and the integration of technology into its classrooms.
Yeshiva Har Torah serves as a regional school for students across Long Island and Queens in Nursery through 8th grade. Currently, with a growing enrollment of over 600 students, YHT serves and provides free busing to the Long Island communities of Great Neck, Merrick, Oceanside, Plainview, Roslyn, and to an increasing number of students from Cedarhurst, Lawrence, North Woodmere and Woodmere. In Queens, free busing is provided to students from Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens and Kew Gardens Hills. To accommodate the growing needs of the school, YHT added an additional 5th floor in January, 2012.
To learn more about the exciting opportunities available at Yeshiva Har Torah, to meet the senior leadership of the school and to tour the beautiful building, please plan to attend the school’s Open House on Monday, November 10th at 7 PM.
Yeshiva Har Torah, 250-10 Grand Central Parkway, Little Neck, NY 11426, (718) 343-2533
Yeshiva University
Bernard Revel Graduate School
for Jewish Studies
There is no graduate program of Jewish Studies in the country with a student body as well prepared to deal with classical Jewish texts as that of the Bernard Revel Graduate School, and there is almost certainly no faculty as large, wide-ranging and distinguished. The Revel program, without sacrificing its academic rigor, presents the history and thought of the Jewish people in an atmosphere of empathy and respect for the richness and value of the tradition it examines.
The Bible concentration provides insights into the Ancient Near Eastern setting, conveys a deep understanding of biblical Hebrew and Semitic linguistics and affords a rich appreciation of Jewish biblical interpretation.
In Talmud, students are exposed to academic approaches to the full corpus of Talmud and Midrash, to the insights provided by the Cairo genizah and to a pioneering approach to the relationship between the Talmudic rabbis and their Persian environment that has opened up entirely new vistas in the scholarly community.
In Ancient Jewish History, courses address the Hasmonean revolt and dynasty, sectarianism, material culture, Jewish-Roman relations, the Dead Sea scrolls, Rabbinic Judaism, the rise of Christianity and the major Jewish revolts.
The program in Medieval Jewish History analyzes Jewish-Christian relations, Jews under Islam, messianism and intellectual history, with particular attention to rabbinic culture in all its forms.
In Modern Jewish History, Revel provides courses in the Jews of the United States with attention to subjects ranging from Orthodox Jewry to sports; in early Modern Europe with special emphasis on social history, communal controversies and the Marrano experience; in Sephardic Jewry in the Arabic, Persian/Iranian and Spanish-Portuguese cultural orbits; and in 19th and 20th century Eastern and Central Europe.
The offerings in Jewish Philosophy cover the major medieval thinkers and mystics, Hasidism and the full range of modern Jewish philosophers.
While most Revel students pursue a master’s or doctoral degree, those who wish may also apply to take individual courses as non-degree students.
For more information, visit www.yu.edu/revel or write to Rona Steinerman at steinerm@yu.edu.
Yeshiva University
Why is Yeshiva University consistently ranked among the top 50 universities out of more than 1,600 in the country by U.S. News & World Report? From dynamic Torah personalities and spiritual mentors to cutting-edge research opportunities and facilities, YU provides students with a rich and vibrant range of academic, extracurricular and spiritual pursuits. With more than 150 student clubs on campus, 15 NCAA teams and multiple service-learning missions across the globe each year, YU enables students to dedicate themselves to rigorous Torah and college study while discovering their passions, championing their beliefs and forming lasting friendships.
YU students’ unique talents and ambitions flourish thanks to one-on-one mentoring by leading thinkers and practitioners in their fields. Here, students analyze today’s most urgent Jewish and global challenges with a world-class faculty that includes Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Kressel and Ephrat Family University Professor of Jewish Thought; Ambassador Daniel Ayalon, Rennert Visiting Professor of Foreign Policy Studies; and former United States Senator Joseph Lieberman, who joins YU as the Joseph Lieberman Chair in Public Policy and Public Service this year.
This one-of-a-kind experience prepares YU graduates to excel in every field: more than 90 percent are employed, in graduate school, or both, within six months of graduation. Graduates can be found at prestigious accounting firms, investment banks and consulting groups, like Accenture, Mercer, Sibson, Towers Watson, Deloitte, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase and PricewaterhouseCoopers, as well as high-profile companies in other fields, ranging from the New York Mets to L’Oreal, and top educational institutions. YU graduates’ medical school acceptance rate is 87 percent—nearly twice the national average—and 97 percent for law school applicants. In addition, the University’s committed and powerful alumni network opens doors for our students in diverse industries that range from journalism to real estate.
YU is constantly evolving to meet its students’ and graduates’ needs. Next fall, it will debut a degree program in speech-language pathology, providing a first-rate academic experience and outstanding clinical education opportunities.
A YU education is not out of reach. Eight out of 10 students received help with tuition last year, with $47 million in scholarship and financial aid awarded by the University.
Register for our upcoming women’s open house on November 16 or men’s open house on November 23 at www.yu.edu/admissions.
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