Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Alumni

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Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Alumni

09/01/2026

🦁 Happy first day of school from our Hagshama families!

These second-generation Lions are continuing their JDS journey by sending their own children to CESJDS, creating a legacy that spans generations. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome 104 Hagshama families back to school. 💙💛

Here’s to an amazing year ahead for all of our Lions! Welcome home.

ONCE A LION. ALWAYS A LION. 🦁

08/20/2026

50+ Years. Generations of Lions. One Extraordinary Legacy. 🦁

We’re thrilled to officially announce Roz Landy as our 2027 LEGENDS honoree for LEGENDS From the Lion’s Den on March 14, 2027!

For more than five decades, Roz has been at the heart of Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, shaping generations of students, building lasting relationships, and leaving an extraordinary mark on our community.

Throughout the year, we’ll celebrate Roz’s remarkable JDS journey and connect with the current and former CESJDS community members whose lives she has touched.

Follow along as we celebrate our beloved LEGEND, Dean Emeritus Roz Landy!
Explore the full celebration and see what’s ahead → cesjds.org/celebratingroz

08/17/2026

🩺 MONDAY MAZALS! 🦁
From the CESJDS halls to Einstein School of Medicine, today we’re celebrating Ben Schreiber ’21 and Iara Rattner ’22, who are beginning medical school together at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. 🥼

Ben and Iara recently celebrated their White Coat Ceremony, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their professional journeys. Mazal tov, Ben and Iara! 🎉

And the JDS connections don’t stop there! Addie Bard ’19 is already a student at Einstein, while Jacob Svoysky ’21 is pursuing his Ph.D.. Four Lions are now part of the Einstein community, pushing through medical school hand in hand.💙💛

Once a Lion. Always a Lion. 🦁

08/02/2026

CESJDS Alumni Spotlight features Ilanna Starr ’13 ⭐️🦁!

Capping off a year of remarkable accomplishments, Ilanna won Second Prize in the 2026 Lotte Lenya Competition, an international competition recognizing performers who excel in both singing and acting. Her career continues to take her around the world, and her CESJDS friends and community have been cheering her on every step of the way. Check out Ilanna’s story and her advice for today’s students. We are so proud of you!

07/27/2026

🎉 Milestone Monday 🎉

Mazal Tov to CESJDS alum Rabbi Micah Cowan ‘15 on receiving his rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary this past May!

We are so proud to celebrate Rabbi Cowan’s dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Jewish community. Wishing him continued success and many blessings in this new role!

07/21/2026

Mia Pearce '20 recently gave the gift of life after learning she was a match for a patient with leukemia through the Gift of Life Marrow Registry. On June 17, she completed a peripheral stem cell donation, offering hope to someone in need. Mia currently works at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and will begin a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Health Emphasis at Yeshiva University this fall.

We are so proud of you, Mia! 💙💛

06/23/2026

Mazal Tov to Rochelle Berman '22, who, alongside co-choreographer Jonathan Cher, earned 2nd place for Original Folk Dance Choreography at the 2025 Karmiel Dance Festival, Israel's premier dance event, for their dance Daroma.
Pictured with Jonathan Cher (left) and renowned Israeli choreographer Michael Barzelei.
Want to learn the dance? Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVBTpOhhOkk

06/22/2026

Monday Mazals 🦁🥂 Mazal Tov to Maya Lieber ‘12 and James McNamara on their marriage! Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow CESJDS alumni, the happy couple celebrated their wedding in Waterford, Virginia, on May 24, 2026. We wish Maya and James a lifetime of happiness together. We are so thankful to share in this simcha with you!

06/15/2026

Mazal Tov to members of our CESJDS alumni community on these exciting life milestones! From engagements and weddings to welcoming new additions to their families, we are thrilled to celebrate these special moments with Harry Wandersman ’15, Ben Weinberger ’15, Rachel (Eisenberg) ’05, Daniel Brujis ’05, Robbie Shorr ’13, and their families. Wishing them all a lifetime of happiness, health, and many joyful celebrations ahead. 💙🦁

06/10/2026

Two weeks ago, on what would have been Omer Balva ’19 z”l’s 25th birthday, family, friends, alumni, and community members gathered at CESJDS for a morning minyan followed by a beautiful dedication ceremony in his memory.

We honored Eyal Balva (Omer's father) and Jon Missner (Omer's best friend's father) with an Aliyah to the Torah.

The program featured reflections from current parent Elias Saratovsky, CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation ; Elliot Brandt, CEO of AIPAC; alumni parent Jon Missner; Shahar Balva ’14, Omer’s sister; and Head of School Rabbi Mitch Malkus, who shared moving words about Omer’s life, character, and enduring legacy.

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Through the generosity of the Balva family, both the Sephardic Minyan and the CESJDS Dining Hall were dedicated in Omer’s memory, creating lasting tributes to his impact on our school community.

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Thank you to Eyal and Sigal Balva for this meaningful dedication and to their children Barak ’10, Shahar ’14, and Itai.

May Omer’s memory continue to be a blessing and an inspiration to all who gather in these spaces.

Address

1901 E Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD
20852

Telephone

+13018811400

Website

http://cesjds.org/, http://twitter.com/cesjdsalumni, http://facebook.com/cesjdsalumni, http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mo

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