Jewish Life
Jewish life is the heart of Hillel, central to who we are as a school and a community. That commitment is reflected in all aspects of school, from our Judaic Studies curriculum to the way we celebrate holidays and honor traditions to the values we model every day: respect, responsibility and kindness.
At Hillel, Judaism is about joy and connection: connection to God, to self, to Israel, to Jews through generations and around the world.
We strengthen these by learning about rituals, traditions and mitzvot and studying Torah, Hebrew and Jewish history.
Our goal is to nurture students' Jewish identity in a way that will anchor them in the world, both today and in the future. We teach to that goal through prayer, commemorating holidays, and in-depth study of the Hebrew language, Torah and rabbinics.
Throughout the year, holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Purim and Pesach (and many more) come to life through hands-on experiences, whether visiting our school sukkah, acting out the Megillah, or leading a seder.
We also deepen our connection to Judaism through celebration. Every Friday morning, students gather in groups with their Shabbat Mishpacha to usher in the holiday with lively songs, spirited prayers and, of course, challah.
We further boost Jewish pride through everything from the annual Yom Ha'Atzmaut carnival and Mishloach Manot baskets to the much-anticipated 8th grade trip to Israel. For a full list of special programs by grade, check out our milestone moments.
Milestone Celebrations, Lifelong Memories
In addition to the holidays we celebrate throughout the year, each grade participates in special milestones that reflect their Jewish learning and deepen students' sense of Jewish identity. These include the 1st grade Siddur Party, the 2nd grade Torah Party, the 3rd grade Havdalah ceremony, the 4th grade Rosh Chodesh service and beyond. These experiences create lasting memories and strengthen our students’ connection to Jewish life long after they graduate from Hillel.