Wall of Gratitude
Ma’ayan, meaning "a natural spring," recalls the lyrical metaphor of the Torah as the spring from which knowledge flows. At Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, our community is a Ma'ayan, a natural spring, where students, parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and faculty thrive, grow, and flourish together, developing lifelong friendships.
Our spring impacts the people and programs that distinguish a CESJDS eduction through our Ma’ayan Annual Campaign.
We want to hear from you on how our Ma’ayan has transformed your life!
I love that JDS tries to bring out the best qualities in my children and then notices those strengths and shares them with the kids so that they see them too!
-Dr. Alisa Schwartz, CESJDS Parent
Our grandsons have learned so much and blossomed in their first year at JDS.
-Leslie and Barrie Sandler, CESJDS Grandparents and Alum Parents
JDS is family! My grandchildren are happy and thriving, and their parents are involved and committed. My heart is full. Betsy Colbert, Former Faculty/Staff, Hagshama Family, Current Parent
JDS changed my son’s life. I have never met such dedicated teachers in my life and I will always be grateful!! Toda!!💕.
-Vered Levi, CESJDS Parent
We love how JDS values inclusive learning and meets students where they are.
-Dena and Eric Feldman, CESJDS Parents
My kids have just blossomed this year - the community is so nurturing and supportive and encouraging. Amanda and Yonatan Nesher, CESJDS Parent
The amazing friendships our kids have made and the dynamic, caring, and creative teachers that inspire and challenge them daily.
-The Ziman Family, CESJDS Parents
Our children are thriving at CESJDS due to the supportive community and challenging academic environment.
-Jamie & Alan Levy, CESJDS Parents
Every child is the most important child at JDS! Idit & Guy Barak, CESJDS Parents
The sense of community.
-Silvia Kurlat Ares, CESJDS Faculty
We love the teachers!
-Emily Ruda & Daniel Kohn, CESJDS Parents
William is challenged and is especially fond of his history classes. He has a strong community at JDS and we think that is equally as important as academics! JDS helps him look at the world and all of its issues through a Jewish lens. Gilda & Brian Zimmet, CESJDS Parents
Dedication, innovation and the professionalism of the Faculty, support staff and administrators.
-Sandi & Lew Tipograph, CESJDS Parents
JDS gives my children the confidence they need to advocate for themselves, stand up for their community, and learn the value of Jewish community.
-Jeffrey Rum, CESJDS Parent
Our kids are so happy! Holly & Ben Pery, CESJDS Parents
JDS prepared our daughter amazingly well for college!.
-Dana & David Jacobsohn, CESJDS Alumni Parents
Everything.. the teachers are absolutely amazing, the kids have wonderful learning experiences.
- Shay & Hadar Jacoby, CESJDS Parents
The faculty and staff are dedicated to helping the kids learn, thrive, grow, enjoy, feel safe, and feel loved. The Jewish values, tefillah, and Torah study, and Hebrew add a dimension that helps make the kids multi-dimensional, modern, and dynamic. The school is safe and pays attention to details from before the first student arrives until everyone has gone home to their families for the day. Lorena and Larry Memberg, CESJDS Parents
I love my school and I am very proud to be a JDS'er. Thank you to my teachers for everything they do.
-Benjamin M., CESJDS Student
What we love about JDS is the comfort of knowing our child is getting a top-tier education in a supportive and encouraging community of teachers, peers, and families.
-The Cooper Family
CESJDS is an excellent school which focuses on the whole child. The staff are warm and very well-qualified. I would highly recommend CESJDS to any parent interested in obtaining the highest quality Jewish and secular education for their children. Dr. Kira Bricker and Jules R. Bricker, and
Family, CESJDS Parents
CESJDS has made a ripple in our families' life, because JDS has been a place where our child has been challenged academically in a way where he can flourish equally important to the academics he has experienced a rich Jewish life mingling with children who practice at all levels, opening our family’s eyes to what Judaism means in so many new ways.
-Lysandra and Menelaos Sarantos, CESJDS Parents
Great culture, great community, great people!
-Jeff Dimon, Former Faculty/Staff
CESJDS is an excellent school which focuses on the whole child. The staff are warm and very well-qualified. I would highly recommend CESJDS to any parent interested in obtaining the highest quality Jewish and secular education for their children. Dr. Kira Bricker and Jules R. Bricker, and
Family, CESJDS Parents
CESJDS has made a ripple in my life because of my colleagues' dedication, expertise, and humanity
-Rachel Soifer, CESJDS Faculty-Co-Director of the US Health and Wellness Center
CESJDS has made a ripple in our life because we love how well-thought-out and passionate the educators are at JDS! There is a tremendous balance of caring and professionalism.
-Becca and Brett Kugler, CESJDS High School Learning Specialist
CESJDS has made a ripple in our family due to the special care and attention our children receive from loving teachers each day; inspiring and amazing colleagues to work with. Also, Orna and the entire financial aid team for making our dream of Jewish education possible. Mirele Kessous, Assistant Library Media Specialist and CESJDS Parent
CESJDS has made a ripple in our life due to our grandson, who is a kindergartner. He is thriving at JDS!
-Ken and Sue Cohn, CESJDS Grandparents
CESJDS has made a ripple in my life because of our openness to the entire community. Also, we really try to grow our endowment to provide scholarships.
-Nick Miller, CESJDS Middle School Science Teacher
CESJDS has made a ripple in my life because of the community and Hebraic studies. Deborah Prevots '80, CESJDS Alumni
We love how happy our granddaughter is in middle school!
-Myra and Rick Cohen, CESJDS Grandparents
CESJDS has transformed our lives because of all the decisions we parents made on behalf of our children, sending Jacob and Sam Weinberger to CES JDS for K-12 was the best decision of them all.
-Debbie and Jim Weinberger, CESJDS Alum Parents
CESJDS has made a ripple in EVERYTHING for our family. Debra, Stan, and Mikey '20 Zagalak, CESJDS Alumni Family
My children received a great education, made amazing lifelong friends, and developed a strong connection to Judaism that has not wavered since they graduated. Alan Kravitz, CESJDS Alum Parent
The community for our son.
-Simmy and Phillip Barrocas, CESJDS Parents
My husband, Manny and I, love the scope of the education that our two great nephews are receiving! Every visit to JDS is a gift to our hearts and souls. xoxo
-Penny and Manny Flecker, CESJDS Special Friends
It gave me Hebrew skills and a deep love of Israel that remains unmatched. Zach Subar '04
The teachers truly care about the students development.
-Alison and Albert Moyal, CESJDS Parents
We love CESJDS because of Rabbi Mitch Malkus.
-Laura Blumenfeld and Baruch Weiss, CESJDS Current and Alum Parents
The faculty and staff at JDS see my children. They know them and love them deeply. They foster my children’s confidence, encourage a deep love of learning and embed a strong foundation of Jewish values. I feel so fortunate to have found this school and community. Aleysha Beyer, CESJDS Parent
Sense of community. Support services.
-The Auerbach Family, CESJDS Parents
CESJDS has transformed our lives because of all the decisions we parents made on behalf of our children, sending Jacob and Sam Weinberger to CES JDS for K-12 was the best decision of them all.
-Debbie and Jim Weinberger, CESJDS Alum Parents
I love the special care, the teachers, the recognition of the Jewish holidays and history and the school facilities. Idit & Guy Barak, CESJDS Parents
Our kids have found a home at JDS and they are both thriving - we could not be more thrilled to be part of the CESJDS family!
-Rella Kaplowitz & Avi Kaplan, CESJDS Parents
Wonderful teachers that are dedicated to their students.
-Ayle '07 & David Karvani, Hagshama Family and CESJDS Parents
The teachers really care about the kids and take the time to learn their strengths and weaknesses. Tracy & Stefan Krantz and Family, CESJDS Parents and Alumni Parents
The People! The Education!
-Lori Bernstein & Jack Ansaldi, CESJDS Parents
My daughter, Brielle, in Gurim absolutely loves her teachers and loves to go to school every morning!
-Eliana & Ilan Shvartz, Hagshama Family and CESJDS Parents
We are so blessed to be part of the school. Addi & Yoel Oliel, CESJDS Parents
Care, Community, Communication, Values.
-Daria Lemann Blumenthal and Yaakov Lemann, CESJDS Parents
JDS is like coming home!
-Eve and Bill Margol, Former Faculty/Staff
I love the way the interactive learning environment JDS provides and the nurturing environment it has. I love listening to joyfulness in the hallways in the mornings. Michelle Schuster, CESJDS Parent
My friendships, career trajectory, and personal growth can all be traced back to my time at JDS. It is of paramount importance to me that JDS continue to thrive so my children have the opportunities that I was provided.
-Zach Roth '10, CESJDS Alumni
We love the nurturing environment and the love our son feels every day. He is learning so much and is excited to go to school- the best!
-Becca and Nathan Bortnick, CESJDS Parents and
Hagshama Family
CESJDS has made a ripple in my life because JDS brought a richness and joy to my work life that I never dreamed of. I cherish every minute I spent learning with JDS students and was privileged to be part of the staff for 21 years. Sue Marx, Former CESJDS Faculty
CESJDS has made a ripple in our family because we love JDS, our kids are thriving and growing year after year.
-Dana Marlowe and Preston Blay, CESJDS Parents
CESJDS has made a ripple in our life because of CESJDS' excellent education and the enthusiastic Jewish community for my child.
-Lisa and Seth '93 Feldman, CESJDS Parents, Alumni, and Hagshama Family
CESJDS has made a ripple in my life because I love the friendships at CESJDS and the mutual respect and understanding of a pluralistic and anti-bias school community. Sarah and Asa Fradkin, CESJDS Faculty and Parents
CESJDS has made a ripple in our lives because THE TEACHERS are the best of the best! No matter the subject our kids love school because the teachers make each day interesting, engaging, challenging, and fun. Our children have truly become life-long learners because of the influence of each CESJDS teacher.
-Alana and Jared Kotler, CESJDS Parents and Former Faculty
CESJDS has made a ripple in our lives because we love JDS - we love the kindness, empathy and respect they live, teach and stand for. We love the way our son is encouraged to ask questions, think outside the box and to continually be supported to do his best. Thank you to the JDS team for being so incredible and for fostering a strong Jewish identity and love for Israel.
-Charl, René and Benjamin Marais, CESJDS Parents
There's no place our kids would rather be. Stewart and Barbara Bushman and Family, CESJDS Parents
CESJDS has transformed our family because of all the special programs offered to students.
-Roslyn Auerbach, CESJDS Grandparent
CESJDS has made a ripple in our lives, due to the warmth of faculty towards the children and the fact that my children are developing a deep pride for their Jewish heritage.
-The Kimchy Family, CESJDS Parents
It's still hard to wrap our heads around the fact that, for the first time in 19 years, we do not have a child enrolled at CESJDS as our youngest graduated in 2023. During our many years at JDS, we watched our boys – Jacob ’16, Zachary ’20, and Jonah ’23 – mature as thinkers and writers, thrive emotionally and spiritually, and most importantly become mensches who are well equipped to step into and become productive, thoughtful, and positive members of our community. We could not have asked for a more invested and committed faculty and staff, who strived to know each of our kids as individuals and supported them academically and emotionally. And not only have our children benefitted – we could not ask for more wonderful friends than the ones we’ve made through our JDS connection.
-Rebecca Musher Gross & Jonathan Gross, CESJDS Alumni Parents
CESJDS has made a ripple in our lives because of the caring staff who treat our children like their own! Lily and Carlos Landau, CESJDS Parents