Shofar making 2008, and 2016
Fall 2016                                                                            Tishrei 5777
We begin this new year full of anticipation for what's to come, particularly our Election Project and construction of our new middle school and expansion of the North Campus! We are thrilled to share these exciting developments and many others with our ever-supportive and engaged alumni community. We hope that you, our change-making alumni, continue to share your experiences and connect with us this year. Be sure to check out our upcoming alumni service days, alumni speakers series, and other opportunities to engage with JPDS-NC. May the upcoming holidays be peaceful and meaningful for you and your family.

- Naomi Reem, Head of School
Alumni Highlights
We are fortunate to have two incredible  alumnae as staff members at JPDS-NC:
Hannah Seidel and Maya Felman.

Hannah Seidel ('03) found herself back home at JPDS-NC as the school's Academic Affairs and Communications Assistant.  In her current role as the eyes and ears of our school, she has noticed firsthand the evolving community and culture of the students and staff of JPDS-NC. Hannah told us a little bit about what defines the
JPDS-NC students of today, and yesterday.
Read more

Maya Felman ('04) may be a newcomer to our staff (she began
working as the secongrade Assistant Teacher for General Studies this past August), but she is n o stranger to JPDS-NC. For Maya, JPDS-NC is the epitome of  "comforting  haimishness," a home away from   home . Maya described her  time a s a student  at JPDS-NC, her enduring connections to other alumni, and the privilege of working with her own former teachers. Read more 
Mevakar B'ayit:  A Visit Home
As part of our commitment to welcome back and learn from our alumni, Max Manasevit ('03) visited our students on September 26, 2016 ! Max spoke to our fourth-graders about his recent work in Mongolia as a Peace Corps volunteer, where he taught English to Mongolian schoolchildren. This was a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our fourth-grade classes to have an insider's look at globalization, a focus area for JPDS-NC's school-wide Election Day project this fall (described below). Read more
Alumni Speakers Series
JPDS-NC's Alumni Speakers Series is designed to bring alumni back into the JPDS-NC classrooms to share their knowledge, expertise, and experiences with current students. If you are interested in speaking to our students, e mail alumni@jpds.org  or call 202.882.4747.
Kids' Voices Count: JPDS-NC Election Project 2016 
JPDS-NC recently launched  Kids' Voices Count: JPDS-NC Election Project 2016 . This school-wide project focuses on giving life to the rights and responsibilities of children as social and political actors in the public sphere. Students are creating a voting guide for adults in our community in which they give voice to their ideas and opinions, as well as those of other children. Our students will have the opportunity to tell the adults what they want them to be thinking about when they cast their ballots.  

We Want YOU to Be Part of the Election Project!
We need the help of alumni and alumni-parent volunteers for this school-wide project.  We need your expertise!
If you have knowledge or expertise on any issue our students will be learning about, we would be grateful if you could join us as a guest speaker.  Learn more by reading our Kids' Political Issues List To participate, or for more information, contact alumni@jpds.org.
Alumni Community Service and Visiting Days 
Give back through community service days at JPDS-NC!

Join us on November 7, December 2, March 31, or April 7
(professional days in many  middle and high schools)  for fun and exciting volunteer opportunities. Help students and teachers in the classrooms, assist on school- wide initiatives and projects, meet with JPDS-NC leadership, and participate in a  tikkun olam project.  Email alumni@jpds.org  to attend.
 
Join us on November 8 and 11, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm and November 10, 3:30 to 6:00 pmCome back to JPDS-NC and serve as a babysitter for our students during Veterans Day  preparations  and conference days. Email alumni@jpds.org to babysit.
Middle School and Expansion: Share the News with Friends and Neighbors

Want t
o learn more about the Middle School & Expansion? Explore our new digital space !



Highlights from the digital space:
  • New Spaces: Check out architectural renderings of renovated spaces, as well as blueprints and descriptions of 15 new spaces.
  • Middle School Program: Learn about our educational philosophy, academic subjects, extracurricular offerings, community connections, and other unique aspets of the middle school program.
  • Faculty and Staff: Get to know members of the middle school academic team.
  • Timeline: Follow our interactive timeline of Middle School & Expansion milestones, including the design and construction process, family events, dates related to the campaign, swing space move, launch of the middle school program, and more!
  • Connect with the Co-chairs: Get involved by reaching out to the Middle School Committee co-chairs.
  • Community Engagement: Learn about the school's Match and Endowment efforts.
  • Still have questions about the Middle School & Expansion? Go to the digital space's FAQ page.
Class Notes
  • Karen Barbash  ('01) currently works at Michigan State University Extension teaching health and nutrition to kids, teens, and adults.
  • Hannah Cohen ('05) is a candidate for a Master's in Science in Occupational Therapy at NYU.
  • Ezra Deustch-Feldman ('00) currently works as a Rapid Response Video Editor for Hillary for America. He occasionally works with JPDS-NC classmate  Daniel Maughan ('00) who works for a political ad agency.
  • Bryan Knapp ('11) has committed to play basketball at Cornell University next fall.
  • Aden Berger ('14) was elected as one of two class representatives to the Honor Committee at Sidwell Friends School.
  • Eliana  ('07)  and Maxwell Kanefield  ('09)  were in Berlin this summer as fellows in the Germany Close Up program with AJC.
  • Kate Sosland ('13) volunteered for the American Society for Service in Detroit over the summer  meeting asylum seekers and learning about social justice issues. Kate and several classmates are tutoring a Syrian refugee family in English. See a photo of Kate and Chelsea Clinton here.
  • Henry Sosland  ('13) worked with special needs children at Camp Ramah this summer. Henry, along with his sister Kate, is a madrich at Adas I s rael  Congregation .
  • Sarah Cohen Strum  ('07) organize d a group to raise funds and walk in the AFSP's North Canton Walk Out of Darkness Community walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
  • Maayan Rose ('10)  is spending a semester in London, France, and Italy as part of the "Art History Abroad" program.
Have updates to share? Email alumni@jpds.org.
Ru'ach, Mo'ach, Ko'ach
With solid footing in the present and an eye toward the future, JPDS-NC is seeking support in three key areas in order to continue on the path of success and growth. Your support makes a real difference. Thank you!
 
Ru'ach - Spirit
The spirit of the school and community is as endearing as it is uplifting, and it is what makes a student's and family's time at JPDS-NC so memorable. The Annual Ru'ach Campaign supports every aspect of school life, ensuring that the school has the resources needed to continue providing an excellent education. Teacher training, acquisition of technology, and program enhancements are just a few of the areas supported by the campaign.
 
Mo'ach - Mind
As we prepare to open the first Jewish day school middle school in Washington, DC, we are intently focused on creating a program and spaces that will engage and enrich young minds. We are raising funds to complete our $500,000 middle school match, generously offered by JPDS-NC parents Chani and Steve Laufer, to fund the renovation and expansion of the North Campus and the initial implementation of the middle school program.
 
Ko'ach - Strength
JPDS-NC has launched an endowment effort that focuses on solidifying our financial sustainability over the long-term. Endowment funds will be used to advance new educational initia tives and to provide tuition assistance to guarantee access to a JPDS-NC education for every family. Endowment growth will stem from outright and planned legacy gifts.  
 
JPDS-NC is proud to be part of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #47333), and we thank government employees and members of the armed forces for their service and support!

To find out more about supporting JPDS-NC, visit school.jpds.org/support, call
(202) 882-4747, or email adina.kanefield@jpds.org.
Ma Nishma?
Stay connected with us! Be sure to  update your contact information  so you don't miss out on alumni newslette rs, college  care packages, community events, and more. 
Flash back with
The Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation's Capital is an independent, community Jewish day school that currently offers a dual curriculum of General and Judaic studies for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6. 
We are adding a middle school program that will begin in fall 2017. An expanded and renovated North Campus building serving students through 8th grade will open in fall 2018. The school is coeducational, and welcomes students from the entire spectrum of Jewish observance.

Stay Connected

                                             Questions? Email alumni@jpds.org.


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