At School
CESJDS is a premier JK-12 Jewish day school with an international reputation for academic excellence and a vibrant pluralistic community guided by Jewish values.
76 CESJDS students qualified for the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Hebrew.
CESJDS opened its doors to over 70 families who left Israel because of the war. Students were integrated into our classrooms at both the Lower and Upper Schools.
CESJDS received a 2024 First Amendment Press Freedom Award.
The Class of 2024 was accepted into 121 colleges and are attending 51 different schools including: Syracuse University, Yale University, Princeton University, Washington University, Binghamton University, and University of Maryland.
The CESJDS Lower School launched a new, comprehensive Robotics program in all grades, building on our existing Coding curriculum in each grade's Science Class.
In a strong show of Ahavat Yisra-el/Love of Israel and K'hillah/Community, many CESJDS students, faculty, and staff attended the March for Israel Rally in Washington DC.
Rigorous Academics
JDS has really helped me develop a passion for learning for learning's sake. It is so fulfilling to delve deep into different subject matters, pick at the brains of my teachers, and gain a wider understanding of everything.
Hadriel Dayanim (Class of 2026)
Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and dual-language communication skills are CESJDS’s core objectives for each student. Our unique approach of emphasizing inquiry, logical reasoning, and interpersonal relationships is adapted from Jewish learning from thousands of years ago, i.e. Midrash, Talmud, Hevruta/partner learning, and interpretation, and is combined with 21st-century learning. No matter where a CESJDS student is on their JK-12 journey, he or she is inspired to make connections across the curriculum in fun and engaging ways.
A few highlights include:
- Lower School students learned about the solar eclipse during their sciences classes in the first week of April and then went outside to witness the event using school issued safety sunglasses on April 8. While outside, students also had the opportunity to recite the blessing that is associated with seeing special moments in nature, oseh ma-aseh v'reishit.
- Students in 8th grade visited Capitol Hill to observe and participate in the democratic process first-hand. Students sat in on congressional hearings, attended House and Senate sessions, and met with their representatives and senators.
- Students in the High School Arab-Israeli Conflict classes heard from a number of speakers throughout the 2nd semester including Ambassador Daniel Shapiro, David Makovsky, Ghaith al-Omari, Shoshana Bryen, and many others. Speakers spoke to students about a variety of topics including strategic relationships and foreign policy.
At the Upper School our children have benefitted from academics that propel them to higher achievement and Judaic studies that ground them in their history and traditions. We have been impressed with the breadth and depth of the classwork, the extra-curricular opportunities, and the devotion and expertise of the staff and administration.
Anna and Michael Janson
Parents of Isaac (Class of 2028), Samuel (Class of 2030), and Miriam (Class of 2033)
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Arts
Last year, I organized the Israel concert in school. I wanted an opportunity for musicians and bands in the school to be able to perform and show off their repertoire. I also saw an opportunity to bring people together for a good cause, talk about Israel, raise money for Israel, and use music to bring joy to people in hard times.
Josh Dori (Class of 2026)
Our faculty translates the Arts into subject areas including science, literary arts, prayer, identity, and history. Art and design education value the transformative impact art can have on learning.
Faculty members maintain active professional involvement with the latest research in art education--collaboration, discussion/critique, initiative/self-motivation, focus, leadership, preparedness, polish and craftsmanship, and risk taking.
Creativity is important. We call it Arts Chai-Lights - Chai meaning life. And for so many students the opportunity to express and be creative is a life flow. We express who we are, our identities, our values [and] our imagination.
Dr. David Solomon, Director of Arts Education
via The Lion's Tale on the 2024 Arts Chai-Lights
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Athletics
Every single person contributed to that win. It truly felt like a team effort, and I'm glad I was able to be there for it.
Josie Silverberg (Class of 2025)
via The Lion's Tale on the 2024 Varsity Softball Championship Win
CESJDS Athletics had a tremendously successful year across Middle School and High School sports. We racked up countless PVAC All-Conference recognitions as well as numerous championships. Our athletes put on a show with dominant performances while displaying high levels of sportsmanship.
Students in grades 6-12 participate in athletics across 31 teams, spanning 16 sports at the Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity levels. CESJDS participates in the PVAC with 13 other independent schools in the Washington Metro area. Our students also compete in the Independent School Boys Volleyball League (ISBVL), and the Maryland Private School State Championship Series for many of our sports.
We have great chemistry every game before the game. We're always joking around and having fun even with our coaches.
Cyrus Blumenthal (Class of 2026) via The Lion's Tale on the Spring 2024 Boys Basketball Season
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Co-curriculars
All four of my children are very different learners with diverse interests. Each of them gets exactly what they need from the School - academic challenge, academic support, and opportunities to go deep in arts, athletics, or STEM. Its incredible that one school has a place for every learner to thrive.
Jonathan Siegel
Parent of Coby (Class of 2020), Noam (Class of 2022), Meital (Class of 2024), and Aryeh (Class of 2031)
Lower and Upper School students are proactive in participating in after-school activities, some affiliated with CESJDS, some not. Theater, publication, club, and community service activities help develop confident, compassionate thinkers who engage the world through Jewish values.
The Joan and Marvin Rosenberg High School Musical, Into the Woods, both funny and poignant, asked what happens when your wishes come true.
The Barbara and Allan Topol Middle School Musical, Frozen, Jr. was a sold out production featuring favorite characters Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.
The Lion's Tale student newspaper and the JDS Dimensions yearbook both won Crown Awards at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association spring convention.
Two articles from The Lion's Tale were reposted on the Jewish Scholastic Press Association's website and one was posted on the Best of School Newspapers online website.
46 clubs were offered in the High School this year, including ASL club, Chidon HaTanach club, Jazz club, Political Discussion club, Weather club, and many more.
The Middle School Knesset, Student Government, planned several activites including the Middle School Tu BiSh-vat Earth Explorations STEM Day.
JDS is a great combination of Jewish education, secular education, and extracurricular activity - from sports to art to drama - immersed in a vibrant community!
Richard Singerman, PhD
Parent of Zachary (Class of 2023) and Daniel (Class of 2027)
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Jewish Life
Our kids not only learn the how's and why's of living Jewishly at JDS but are guided to connect with the deep well of joy that emerges through experiencing the beauty and meaning of a Jewish life lived in a caring and support Jewish community.
Rabbi Jordan and Cantor Shulamit Hersh
Parents of Ziv (Class of 2034) and Edden (Class of 2037)
Jewish Life at CESJDS provides infinite opportunities for our students to live the School’s core values. We celebrate tradition, spirituality, and community. Students on both campuses come together to commemorate holidays and other important days on the Jewish calendar. Each student is encouraged to create their own Jewish journey, and develop an individualized relationship with tradition and practice.
Each month, Lower School students participated in a division-wide Kabbalat Shabbat, led by a selection of 5th grade students and Principal Rabbi Bellas. Together, the school sang songs, danced, and welcomed in Shabbat.
The Middle School held the first 6th grade Matan Torah program where we shared words of Torah and gifted all 6th grade students their own copies of the JPS Tanakh, which they will be using for text study throughout their time at JDS.
Each High School class spent time together on their grade-wide Shabbatons. From communal prayer, songs, and meals to enjoying class bonding time, games, and discussions, students created lasting memories with their k'hillah/community to shape their spiritual growth and Jewish identity.
We love the feeling of community as our children go through the Jewish calendar of holidays, celebrations, and commemorations, always focused on child-centered, age-appropriate development and growth.
Caryn (Class of 1999) and Daniel Moshinsky
Parents of Raizy (Class of 2027), Raya (Class of 2030), Chanani (Class of 2037) and Ayelet (Class of 2038)
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Faculty & Staff
We are truly grateful to the leadership, staff, and volunteers at CESJDS for creating such an exceptional environment filled with a love of learning and connection to community.
Jana and Jeremy Sharp
Parents of Samuel (Class of 2024) and Eve (Class of 2027)
Several faculty and staff reached important milestones in services to CESJDS. We thank them for their commitment, dedication, and the many ways they provide support to our students, parents, and the entire CESJDS community:
45 Years: Rochelle Sobel
25 Years: Mercedes Aseraph, Tayla Edery, Cheryl Levitt, Jesus Portillo
20 Years: Sara Coxe, Melissa Gartner, Lare Kinnasoh, Grace McMillan, Marina Milbert, Adi Moshkovitz, Robin Shapiro
15 Years: Anat Kaufman, Sue Rexford
10 Years: Matthew Bellas, Bethany Gertzog, Dorie Ravick, Derek Rosenbaum, Jane Shaughnessy,
Marissa Tisch, Heidi Zansler,
Marissa Tisch, Heidi Zansler,
5 Years: Ryan Aqui, Tamar Bar Ilan, Ben Barer, Anna Brunner-Bayer, Matt Cohen, Marjorie Haas, Matthew Jacobson, Eve Margol, Hannah Margolis, Edryce Rogers, Cynthia Shuman, Marc Silberstein, Victoria Wagner
1 Year: Deborah Amchin, Shir Blonder, Elyse Carmen, Mica Carmino, Jackie Davies, Shoshana Eisenberg, Sherry Fox, Liron Ginosar, Carin Gottlieb, Ariela Greengart, Samuel Grob, Eliran Hindi, Elanit Jakabovics, ana Kozukhin, Oran Lichtman, Romi Nachman, Simone Nachman, Elizabeth Polit, Helene Rhodes, Kimberly Rogan, Joseph Sandberg, Susan Schwartz, Alexa Singman, China Stuckman, Carlos Ticas, Toni Ward, Perah Zohar
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.
Alanna and Jared Kotler
Parents of Benjamin (Class of 2026) and Lev (Class of 2030)
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