At JCDS, Israeli tradition and culture are naturally infused into school life. As the Jewish calendar shapes Israeli society, it is also the calendar by which we live and work. Half of our teachers are Israeli, and Hebrew is heard continuously throughout the day, in and beyond, the classroom. Many of our staff speak with students primarily in Hebrew which empowers the children, at a very young age, to become comfortable and natural Hebrew speakers. “JCDS has given my daughter the ability to walk up to any Israeli and speak to them in Hebrew and see a puzzled face when she says that she is American.”

At JCDS, Hebrew is not a second language!

Israeli dancing is a part of the Lower School curriculum and is an elective course in our Middle School. The music of Israel greets children, parents, and staff as they enter the school each morning, and our school days begin with MS students offering greetings and announcements in Hebrew over the public address system. Throughout the year, we welcome a constant flow of visitors from Israel who come to JCDS specifically to share in our approach to teaching Hebrew. As a recent visitor told us with delight, “With all of the Hebrew on the boards inside and outside the classrooms, and hearing the language spoken so freely, I feel like I am at home—back in Jerusalem in my childrens’ school!”

Many Israeli families find JCDS a very comfortable transition to the United States for their children. JCDS helps Israeli students grow their Hebrew skills while learning English, too.