It didn’t take long after my oldest child started kindergarten at a local public school to sense that something wasn’t quite right.
Drop-off in the morning was often difficult. The large class size felt overwhelming, and my husband and I worried that our daughter wasn’t getting the individualized attention she needed. The school just didn’t feel like the nurturing environment we’d hoped for.
Then came Oct. 7.
We soon discovered that one of our daughter’s teachers was an outspoken critic of Zionism. Given our family’s strong connection to Israel, we felt uncomfortable with her teaching our child.
As events unfolded globally, we realized how important it was for our kids to have a Jewish education and to feel connected to a community that shared our values.
While we aren’t deeply observant, I was raised Jewish, celebrating holidays but without much formal education in traditions. I wanted more for my children. We enrolled our younger child in a Jewish preschool and began exploring other school options.
That’s when we discovered Rodeph Sholom School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The only Reform Jewish day school in New York City, the school would turn out to be just right for our family.
It provides a warm, nurturing environment built on Jewish values and community. The academics are strong, with small class sizes from nursery all the way through 8th grade. The school welcomes families from diverse backgrounds—both those deeply rooted in Jewish life and those less so.
And there is a strong sense of safety, both emotionally and physically, that really resonates with us during such uncertain times.
Even before making the final decision to move our child mid-year, we were struck by how welcomed we were at Rodeph Sholom School.
Our daughter was invited to students’ birthday parties and school events. I joined a text chat group for parents. The school put us in touch with another school family that had a child in our daughter’s grade so that when she made the switch she’d know someone in class. It all helped our daughter feel included even before the first day.
Once she finally started at Rodeph Sholom School, the change was remarkable. At drop-off, she’d eagerly run into the school with hardly a goodbye. She got more personalized attention, and we quickly noticed growth in both academics and social interactions. Soon we enrolled our younger child in Rodeph Sholom School too, even though the school isn’t near our home.
The experience has been transformative not just for our kids, but for our whole family.
Through frequent school events—Shabbat celebrations, field trips, performances—my husband and I found a community as well. The staff know our children by name, and it’s clear they truly care for them. The happiness our kids show every morning is proof of it.
For a family seeking connection in the American Jewish community, the experience has been nothing short of amazing.
Our children are proudly embracing their Jewish identity. They’re learning Hebrew and know more prayers than I do, often teaching my husband and me along the way. When my daughter stood proudly at the center of a Passover celebration, singing and showing her artwork, I was deeply moved to realize how far she had come.
I’ve become active in the parents’ association, and I see how the school cultivates older students’ leadership and confidence. As my kids get older they’ll be able to take advantage of Rodeph Sholom School’s excellent programs in math, science and arts. It gives me hope and excitement for my children’s futures.
At Rodeph Sholom School, my kids don’t just learn about their identity—they celebrate it. It’s a place where they feel safe, supported, and proud, and so do we.
