AbrAhAm JoshuA heschel DAy school

TRADITION, CHARACTER, COMMUNITY. These are the three pillars of a Heschel education.

At Heschel, tradition is the foundation that lends meaning to the lessons we teach and that grounds students with a sense of belonging.

We nurture individuality and build character as Heschel students become independent young men and women intellectually, spiritually, and ethically.

Heschel is more than a school; we are a community committed to providing our children with an unparalleled education, which ensures their success as individuals who can build bridges to the broader world.

Heschel Day School’s logo mark engages us in a spirit of learning: inclusive, tangible, and meaningful. Like the tree, the child is rooted in the traditions of our heritage and in the continuity of our community. Challenged by core academic goals and inspired by indelible Jewish experiences, our students develop the discipline and inquisitiveness to succeed in a world where the possibilities are endless.

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TRADITION

Heschel belongs to the generations of families who send their children to our community Jewish day school, many of them following in the footsteps of relatives who are Heschel alumni.

For forty years, we have welcomed families like Jacob’s (left), who select Heschel to provide their children with an academically rich experience of general and Judaic studies in an environment that honors the unique voice of each and every child.

We are a team of teachers, advisors, administrators, and parents dedicated to cultivating individuality in our students, teaching them the values of responsibility and resiliency, and helping them develop an ethical and moral compass which points them toward lives of significance and fulfillment.

Together we share Jewish traditions, giving children meaningful moments for self-expression and invaluable experiences in community building. A journey through Heschel kindles enthusiasm for Jewish living and learning and provides the excellence of 21st century educational innovation.

“Heschel has taught me to think for myself as an individual and to work with others on a team,” says Jacob.

Rooted in tradition.

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BRIGHT BEGINNINGS

Success is a result of strong and natural beginnings. Early childhood classrooms at Heschel are learning laboratories where children are energetic and engaged explorers, charting when butterflies will emerge from their chrysalises and observing colors on a nature hike.

Our approach to early education immerses elementary children in a variety of themes, often topics that reflect their own interests, which we explore in-depth across many disciplines. Small groups provide a context for meaningful dialogue and inquiry, facilitating children’s powers of thinking and learning.

Heschel’s young children begin to form letters and recognize words in transitional kindergarten and to write in kindergarten. They combine their literary skills with illustrations in “writers’ workshop,” one of their favorite creative endeavors, which they proudly share with peers, staff, and parents.

It is during these critical years that children like Ofek (right) hone innate skills, ignite new interests, and broaden the scope of their vision to prepare for their journey through Elementary School to Middle School and on to adulthood.

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A sense of self.

Students learn together about being Jewish at Heschel. Our school encourages honest dialogue and exploration of wide-ranging Jewish experiences, which promote mutual respect and understanding.

A Heschel tradition is our school minyanim when students stand on the bima before peers, teachers, and families to recite their parsha as they prepare to become a b’nai mitzvah.

“Learning Judaism bridges the gap between my school and my home. This way I live Jewishly in all parts of my life,” comments Emma (left).

The Judaic studies curriculum begins in transitional kindergarten and broadens in the Middle School with a deeper appreciation of Jewish heritage, traditions and holidays, the study of Jewish text, and proficiency in Hebrew language. Our commitment to Israel is strong and is reflected in programs which support and celebrate our Jewish homeland.

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CHARACTER

Authentic in character.

Enthusiasm is palpable in the classrooms at Heschel. The safe learning environment encourages experimentation and exploration; classes come alive with spirited discussion, questions that appear to have no answers, and breakthroughs waiting to be made.

Middle School student Emily (left) finds gratification in her science class where she works hard to discover the outcomes to her experiments. Patience and determination are key requirements in the lab as student teams collaborate to find the answers.

“If you believe in yourself, you can make the experiment work,” says Emily.

Our two newly built science labs are state-of-the-art spaces specially designed for the Elementary and Middle Schools. The labs feature sophisticated equipment, including compound microscopes, interactive white boards, sampling tools, and more.

The labs at Heschel provide an ideal environment for lessons in leadership. During team work, we help students learn the skill of divergent thinking, being able to value the ideas of others and to assess the many possibilities. They are encouraged to try new things, which builds courage and develops character. As students mature, they discover who they are and who they want to be. Whatever they choose to do, they will enrich the world as informed and compassionate individuals.

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Every day we usher our children into a brave new world. Living in a state of constant discovery, students find comfort in the deep bond that exists between themselves and teachers, parents, and the community.

Familiarity is the cornerstone of character development of young children like Gabriel (right). They thrive on trusting relationships between our exceptionally dedicated faculty and students in an environment in which students are challenged to grow naturally and organically.

Our low student-teacher ratio enables teachers to act as guides and partners in learning with children, engrossed in their activities, recording their progress, and partnering with their parents. We encourage families to participate regularly in the life of our school by joining us in activities, such as book groups, community service programs, and schoolwide celebrations.

Teachers assume a wide range of roles to support school and student success. As learners, they model continual growth and demonstrate lifelong learning. We are firmly committed to providing professional development opportunities for teachers to enrich learning, share teaching strategies, discover instructional resources, and enhance classroom curricula.

DISCOVERY HAPPENS DAILY

Heschel is an experience that children bring home with them.

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Outside the box.

Recognizing that children respond to varied teaching modalities, Heschel nurtures student expression in a wide range of creative endeavors. Romy (left) is a creative writer, while Eliana (below, left) loves to paint.

Language arts classes in the Elementary School emphasize literary appreciation, reading fluency and comprehension, and the writing process. Middle School students sharpen their writing skills and enhance their vocabulary and comprehension through reading a variety of genres.

In the visual and performing arts, younger students experience drawing, painting, sculpture, and crafts. Sixth through 8th graders refine their art skills as they study design and composition. Music education is taught using an active, experiential approach.

Children engage their minds and bodies in singing, dancing, acting, improvisation, and playing a variety of instruments. They gain an understanding of the elements of music, including rhythm, melody, and harmony, which they are able to apply to creative pursuits as they get older.

Musical theater is the tradition of the Middle School which creates elaborate, student-built sets for productions in our recently renovated auditorium and gymnasium. From actors, singers, and musicians, to lighting and stage hands, there is a place for everyone in musical productions.

Romy says she likes the way her teachers encourage her to stretch her imagination.

“As I learn to find the value in my own unique voice, I learn to value the voices of others.”

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Heschel students learn by doing.Civic responsibilities to the school, local, and global communities are woven into the fabric of daily life, as students learn to look outward and to share with their families a commitment to tikkun olam (repairing the world). They carry the banner of social justice with them, to college campuses, to their professions, and as parent volunteers.

By establishing a connection with the earth, students like Alexandra and Benny (left) develop a deeper bond with each other and with the community. As they help to cultivate their elementary classroom vegetable garden, they learn to participate in sustainable agricultural practices, such as recycling, composting, and reducing energy consumption.

Creating the garden is part of Project Chesed (loving-kindness), a schoolwide program in which each grade level embraces a Jewish value and partners with an organization to fulfill “a joy of giving,” tzedakah. Middle School students volunteer at a local food pantry, visit the elderly, clean up the Los Angeles River, and more, while Elementary School students assist organizations that support guide dogs, fire fighters, and natural resources. According to Benny, he and his classmates have a very important job: the health of the planet is in their hands.

“People can make big stuff happen when they work together,” says Alexandra.

COMMUNITY

Engaged in community.

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Leaders of the 21st century must be able to embrace new forms of communication required by emerging technologies.

Technology education is intrinsic to the curriculum at Heschel. Our comprehensive instructional technology plan prepares and empowers students to embrace technology in their daily lives and to be fluent in the digital world. Whether they are engineering robots or they are collaborating online with students across the globe, students are engaged in an interactive atmosphere that teaches problem solving and promotes communication skills.

We integrate technology into both general and Judaic studies curricula schoolwide. This is made possible by students having access to two state-of-the-art media labs equipped with iMacs, one of which is pictured where Andrew works, plus computers and interactive whiteboards, wireless access, iPads, digital cameras, scanners, and more.

Key to our implementation is the educational growth of our faculty. We provide faculty with train-the-trainer workshops, which bring them together with their peers to innovate infusing technology into their daily instruction.

“We love spending time in the lab because technology is our everyday language,” says Andrew.

Exploratory minds.

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Heschel students stretch their minds and test the limits of their bodies. Whether it is a one-mile run or training for regional competition, students find it exhilarating to discover just what the mind and body together can accomplish.

Physical fitness begins in early childhood classes with an emphasis on movement, ball skills, and team participation. Team sports begin in 5th grade and offer basketball, volleyball, and soccer for girls and boys, while boys play football beginning in 6th grade.Our programs provide opportunities for both novice as well as skilled athletes like Alex (left), who are supervised by experienced coaches dedicated to improving their confidence and performance.

Athletics at Heschel encourage teamwork and healthy competition. All our athletes learn the value of belonging to a team, preparing for a game, and managing their time, skills valuable both on the field and in the classroom.

“Of course, I love winning, but I also love sharing the spirit of competition and camaraderie with my team,” says Alex.

Strong minds and bodies.

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The voices of Heschel alumni are heard on the campuses of outstanding high schools, and later some of the best colleges and universities in the country. Our graduates see themselves as connected to one another and to the greater community, as responsible citizens who have skills and talents that can make the world a better place.

We individually mentor students, guiding them in their high school decision, and connecting them to admission officers at their chosen schools. Our recent graduates, who include Mark, Nicole, and David (left to right), demonstrate the success of mastering a Heschel education. Their graduating class proudly reports that every student was admitted to the high school of his or her top choice, among them the most competitive schools in Los Angeles.

Upon completion of 8th grade, our graduates take a little piece of Heschel with them in their hearts. They move on, navigating life’s journey with grace and responsibility. When they return to Heschel, they bring with them a bigger piece: their own children. Each year we are fortunate to have a significant number of children of alumni attending Heschel, which fulfills the generational promise of a Heschel education.

“ There is a sense that you’re a part of Heschel, even after you graduate.”

Every member of the Heschel family is essential to the life of our school.

Students, staff, parents, and alumni generate the warmth and enthusiasm that define Heschel. In classrooms from transitional kindergarten through 8th grade, our teachers prepare students to think creatively, independently, and critically.

Our parents are our partners with whom we share and solidify the values and traditions of our Jewish community.

Our alumni are our role models, for they reflect Heschel’s culture, built on our namesake’s values of integrity, justice, intellectual curiosity, and empathy.

Our students are our future, for they carry their sense of civic responsibility with them throughout their lives as they make a difference in communities around the globe.

“Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art.”—Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

The Whole Child. The Whole Time.Heschel expands the walls of learning to illuminate young children’s lives with moments of personal discovery. We focus on children’s natural development, encouraging them to find fulfillment in free play and social interaction. As they learn new skills, they begin to develop ways of acquiring knowledge about their world.

Classmates Orla and Max (below) share smiles as they head for the garden in the outside yard. As they grow, children’s curiosity becomes understanding. They transition from observers to participants, becoming part of a team, and integral members of the Heschel community.

17701 Devonshire Street, Northridge CA 91325tel 818.368.5781 www.heschel.com

Accreditations: California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC), BJE:Builders of Jewish Education, Partner of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

Affiliations: National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Educational Records Bureau (ERB), The Jewish Community Day School Network (RAVSAK), Partnership for Jewish Excellence (PEJE)

Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School, a community Jewish day school, provides a rich dual-curricular education that encourages independent and critical thinking, lifelong learning, self-awareness, and compassion.

In partnership with our families, we inspire our students to become active, dedicated, ethical, and informed citizens and leaders who are committed to Israel and the vitality of the Jewish people.

TradiTion • CharaCTer • CommuniTy

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