JCDS, Boston's Jewish Community Day School

One of this spring's highlights for Kitat Alon (4th Grade) was a field trip to Boston, where students spent the day learning, exploring, and connecting classroom studies to the city's rich history. Students visited the State House, where they met Senator Brownsberger and had the opportunity to ask questions while sitting in the Senate Reading Room. They toured the building and learned about its rich history. From there, the group continued to the Boston Common for a picnic, then visited the Boston Holocaust Memorial. The day concluded on a sweet note with ice cream at Quincy Market. It was a meaningful and memorable day of learning beyond the classroom.

Mazel tov to Yaara and Eyal David on Uri’s in-school Bar Mitzvah Monday morning. Uri’s milestone reflected many of the qualities that those who know him well recognize so clearly - his creativity, his energy, his curiosity, and the way he brings both focus and enthusiasm to everything he takes on. His celebration was also shared meaningfully during this past weekend’s Shabbaton, making for a particularly joyful week for the David family and the JCDS community. We were also privileged to hear a beautiful poem by 7th & 8th Grade English teacher Joanne Baker, who captured Uri’s spirit with warmth and affection. An excerpt:

“Uri, your first name, is short and means light,
David, your surname, t’was King with great might—
How both of these qualities sum you up, swell,
You shine like a light, and with might, you excel!”

Mazel tov to Uri and the entire David family on this special milestone!

Freshly emerged and ready to fly! Following their Chagigat “Mi Ani?” Milestone on Friday, Gan Nitzan (Kindergarten) students gathered to watch as butterflies that hatched that very morning were released beside the newly planted front entrance area of the school - part of the Class of 2026’s gift to the JCDS community. Surrounded by signs of growth and new beginnings, it was a joyful and memorable way to celebrate a year of learning, discovery, and transformation. This experience was made possible through a Just Imagine Grant from The Beker Family Foundation.

A wonderful afternoon of running, perseverance, and community spirit! On Monday, we cheered on our Girls on the Run participants as they completed their 5K, following a route through Watertown and back to JCDS for a joyful finish-line celebration. Along the way, runners were greeted with water, snacks, and signs of encouragement from supporters cheering them on. Every participant crossed the finish line and earned a Girls on the Run medal - a fitting recognition of the confidence, determination, and hard work they demonstrated throughout the season.

Yesterday’s race capped off a strong season for JCDS runners. Earlier this spring, 36 members of the JCDS community participated in the Bionic 5K and 1-Mile Race, making JCDS one of the largest teams at the event. Kol HaKavod to all of our runners!

Last Friday, we celebrated the Gan Nitzan (Kindergarten) Milestone: Chagigat "Mi Ani?" ("Who Am I?"). Through songs, dance, t'fillot, and personal reflections, our Nitzanim shared what they have learned about themselves as students, friends, community members, and growing Jewish learners. With confidence, joy, and plenty of ruach, they demonstrated just how much they have grown throughout their Kindergarten year. Families joined in the celebration, including a special Israeli dance led by Alla Shimron. Students also shared booklets highlighting their learning and took home ceramic butterflies they crafted themselves, symbolizing the growth and transformation they experienced throughout the year. Kol HaKavod to our Nitzanim and to the many educators and family members who have nurtured and celebrated their journey. We are so proud of all they have accomplished!

One of JCDS' favorite end-of-year traditions returned on Friday: the annual 8th Grade vs. Faculty/Staff Kickball Game! The entire community came out to cheer on the players in a spirited, ruach-filled matchup featuring plenty of big kicks, close plays, and friendly competition. In the end, the faculty and staff defended their title once again, extending their winning streak to four consecutive years. Kol HaKavod to our 8th graders, faculty, staff, and enthusiastic fans for making this beloved tradition such a fun way to celebrate the end of the school year!

It's always special when alumni return to share their passions with current students! Last week, JCDS alumnus Joshua Grossman ’16, who has been working alongside our Middle School science program this year, led a hands-on geological time scale lesson for our 7th and 8th Grade students. Using a kite string stretched the length of one of our hallways, students explored 4.5 billion years of Earth's history, placing major geological and biological events along the timeline and discovering just how recently humans appeared in comparison to the age of our planet. Joshua also shared artifacts from his personal collection, including fossils, coal, tiger iron, and even a meteorite, giving students the rare opportunity to hold pieces of Earth's ancient history in their hands. Kol HaKavod to Joshua for sharing his knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of science with our students!

This past weekend, JCDS families gathered at Camp Yavneh for our annual Shabbaton, a joyful celebration of community, friendship, learning, and Shabbat. The photos below capture a small sample of the many moments that made the weekend so special. From spirited singing around the bonfire to meaningful conversations, games, learning, waterfront fun, and time spent together, the Shabbaton offered countless opportunities to connect, reflect, and celebrate what makes our community so special. A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers, organizers, alumni counselors, and families whose time, energy, and enthusiasm helped make the weekend possible. We are especially grateful to the many families who joined us for the first time and helped make this year’s Shabbaton one of our most vibrant yet. Thank you to everyone who shared photos and memories from the weekend. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Welcome back, alumni! This afternoon, JCDS graduates returned to campus to reconnect with former teachers, catch up with friends, and celebrate the enduring relationships that make our community so special. We were especially excited to welcome back members of the Class of 2022 as they prepare for their next chapter this fall. Thank you to all of the alumni and faculty who joined us - we loved having you back at JCDS!

What better legacy gift than helping something grow? Last Friday, members of the Class of 2026 rolled up their sleeves and created a new garden outside the JCDS entrance. The garden will be enjoyed by our entire community and will eventually include bulbs planted by our Gan Nitzan students, creating a beautiful connection between our oldest and youngest learners. Kol HaKavod to our 8th graders for this thoughtful gift to the JCDS community. We can't wait to watch it bloom!