MEET
Oren Kaunfer
Madrich Ruchani
Oren's unique energy inspires our school community. With a diverse background spanning Camp Ramah, the Carlebach Shul, and MTV Animation, he infuses traditional Jewish values with a contemporary flair. His innovative approach to t'fillah (prayer) has garnered national recognition, captivating students and adults alike with a playful, yet deeply rooted connection to Jewish tradition and values. As the leader of our school's vibrant holiday celebrations and K-8 spiritual life, Oren fosters a love of Jewish tradition and a strong sense of community. His ever-present enthusiasm and musical talent create a joyful and inspiring learning environment for all.
Dual-Language Program
סביבת למידה דו לשונית
For thousands of years, Hebrew has been the language that has connected us to our rich traditions and history–it is a gateway to a culture and a people. Hebrew intimately connects our students with Jewish literacy, the Land of Israel, its history, culture, and modern-day society. At JCDS, we emphasize Hebrew language immersion and proficiency in both biblical text and modern text.
A pillar of the JCDS educational program is our nationally recognized
Proficiency Approach to the Hebrew Language, in which students are annually assessed in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and based on their performance, are matched with materials that meet their abilities. From our native Hebrew speakers, to heritage speakers, to those who come to JCDS with no Hebrew language knowledge, we have programs that meet all students' needs.
Israel Education
לימודי ישראל
Ahavat Israel is a core foundational principle of our school.
JCDS proudly embraces Zionism and the Jewish democratic State of Israel.
As an intentionally pluralistic Jewish day school; our values and commitments extend to our approach to the teaching of Israel. We support a wide range of opinions regarding the State of Israel. As such, we teach civil discourse and healthy debate among our students.
We provide a solid framework for our students to learn about Israeli history, culture, and politics in a developmentally appropriate manner. Students learn how to engage with texts, grapple with complexity and multiple perspectives, develop critical thinking skills, and do so with civility.
In robust discussions, our Middle School students analyze pivotal moments in Israeli's history, politics, and society. They extend their thinking and form their own views on Israel based upon their immersion in Hebrew language, engagement with Israeli teachers and peers, involvement with educational partners in Israel, and through the lens of their lived experience at home, in Israel, and the world at large.
JCDS will always be a brave space for our students to learn and engage substantively with complex issues. Our spirit of pluralism embraces diversity of opinion, while our roots remain deeply planted in support of Israel.
Chaggim / Holidays
חגים
The
chaggim at JCDS are exuberant, spirit-filled, hands-on days when being Jewish and celebrating our traditions touch all of our community senses. Our
chaggim curriculum reflects our mission by providing students with core Hebrew and Jewish knowledge about the holidays, while simultaneously creating joyous multidisciplinary, cross-grade programming around Jewish themes and values. During these joyful moments, we open our minds and hearts to the customs and traditions of our diverse pluralistic Jewish community.
T'fillah / Prayer
תפילה
T'fillah at JCDS is a time to connect our hearts and voices in song and
ruach (spirit). It is not only when we join in prayer, but also a setting for contemplation, growing mastery, and deepening commitment. Our pluralistic mission ensures that
t'fillah is a welcoming space for students to explore and grow in their beliefs and understandings. At JCDS, we see
t'fillah as an ever-evolving opportunity to open hearts and open minds with the goal of deepening
ruach (spirit) and
kavanah (intention/focus) in
t'fillah at all ages and stages.
In Lower School, our daily
t'fillah experiences are warm musical gatherings in the classroom that focus on mastery and reflection. As students grow, so does the depth and breadth of their
t'fillah. In Middle School, we come together for full, student-lead
Shacharit (morning services) with Torah reading, as well as Wednesday
t'fillah electives. These electives are a way to explore less traditional inroads to spirituality, including art, engineering, discussion, yoga, spiritual singing, and many more. On Fridays, the entire school community ends our week together at our warm and lively communal
Kabbalat Shabbat.
LOWER SCHOOL (K-4)
- Every morning, classroom teachers will facilitate t'fillah, along with guidance from the Jewish Life Team.
- 3rd and 4th graders will participate in mincha, or afternoon services, once a week.
- Every Friday, the entire school comes together for a joyous and participatory Kabbalat Shabbat service together.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8)
- Middle school students have the choice of participating in communal morning prayer services, or to take part in a t'fillah elective such as Yoga T'fillah, prayer expression through art, or T'fillah B'Teva, or Prayer in Nature, among other electives.
We feel at home both everywhere within the Jewish community and nowhere within the Jewish community. In a world that loves labels, our life practices and choices put us squarely outside of any one box. Our relationship with God as a Jewish family defines our life. We are a halachically observant family that also values the equal participation of women in Jewish life. Living by the Torah's values, we want to raise our children enveloped by the Jewish community but not sheltered from the larger world around them. We want to give our children a strong Jewish education, one that helps form their identity while also opening their worldview. JCDS's pluralistic nature, its community of deeply committed Jewish families with a multiplicity of practices, its immersive Hebrew education, and its education of its students as Jewish individuals who are also conscientious global citizens is unique in Boston, and even in the country, and is uniquely fitting for our family.
-Current JCDS Parent
