CESJDS Links Blog

Class of 2023, you have reached this moment after witnessing exceptional times in history. 

You have been through a once-in-a-century pandemic, that brought great concern for the future with a great deal of uncertainty. 

Our fourth annual Innovation Minimester was exceptional. During this two week intersession our middle school students were challenged to take healthy learning risks that inspired them to step outside of their comfort zone and pursue, or perhaps even discover, a passion of their own. The building was abuzz with creativity, passion, and drive. Innovation Minimester was an intense period where innovation and inspiration flowed between our 30+ seminar leaders, students, and teachers.

CESJDS Alumni Speaker Amy Schilit Benarroch '07 shares how JDS guides her life today with the Class of 2023

Dean of Students Roz Landy's speech about the Class of 2023’s positivity, leadership, achievements, community service, and love for each other.

CESJDS High School Math Teacher and Jewish Life Chair Robbie Shorr's remarks to the Class of 2023 at the Dr. Stuart Lessans Siyyum.

In the CESJDS Portrait of a Graduate, we share the qualities we hope to cultivate and support in our students as they matriculate in our school toward graduation. There are six overarching attributes that are part of the Portrait, among them becoming an ethical, responsible, and compassionate global citizen. There are several specific elements which define each of the larger characteristics and one that is connected to this one about citizenship is: has the skills and social understanding to lead. 

Last summer when Becky Silberman, Upper School Athletic Director, asked if I would support the varsity teams’ participation in an international basketball tournament in Toronto, Ontario in January 2023, my answer was a resounding yes! Students experience enormous growth from such opportunities. I gave my full-fledged support for CESJDS’ participation in the Israel Becker TanenbaumCHAT Invitational Tournament.

This week at the Lower School, we join the Jewish community around the world in celebrating the festival of Hanukkah, and one way that we do so is with the 8th Annual Fanaroff Family Hanukkah Musical, Hanukkah ROCKS! During the production, we see our amazing students and members of the staff demonstrate their talents performing songs that retell the miraculous tale of this most joyous holiday. Each year, the musical offers every student in the school the opportunity not only to learn about the story of Hanukkah in a new and creative way, but also to have a performing arts’ experience that allows them to experience singing and dancing on stage and, as they get older, auditioning, public speaking, and participating in a stage crew. Through our musical, many students have discovered an interest in the performing arts that they had not yet known, while yet others have an opportunity to shine and demonstrate confidence and skill in the arts when other aspects of school may be more challenging. With our school-wide musical occurring this week, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the extraordinary arts education offerings at the Lower School.

A few years ago I had the privilege of participating in a thirteen-month leadership program through the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI). During this program we learned from some of the very best in the field of Jewish education, including the wonderful Jane Taubenfeld Cohen who transformed the way I frame conversations with one simple question: 

On October 14, 2022, 19 CESJDS student-leaders, 6 HS faculty, and 2 administrators (Rabbi Malkus and I) traveled to Bishop McNamara High School (BMHS), a coed, independent Catholic high school, in Forestville, MD. This full day visit kicked off what we hope will be a long and meaningful partnership with the school. What a smashing success and extraordinary learning experience it was for all involved! 

The goal of the CESJDS-BMHS partnership is to enrich students’ “understanding and appreciation of diversity so they are better prepared to contribute meaningfully to the diverse world in which we live,'' a clear aim stated in the CESJDS Diversity Statement adopted by the school in March 2016. The statement urges us to engage in this work as part of the “School’s core values of K’dushah (Holiness), V’ahavta L’rei-akha (Loving your Neighbor), K’hillah (Community), and pluralism.”