• Home>
• Read Reviews>
• SEATTLE JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL

It takes a pretty special place to convince someone for who's openly ambivalent about their Jewish identity AND a booster of public education to decide to send their child there, but SJCS is that kind of place. I would have to say that in some ways the operative word in the institution's name may be "Community" rather than "School", not because the education is less than outstanding, but because it's that sense of community - transmitted from teachers to children to their families every day - that makes this such a terrific school. Our kids have not just become smart or become mensches, but been empowered to feel a critical part of the minyan of the world. Choosing SJCS was not easy in many ways, personally or financially, but it's a choice I'm rewarded for making every day.

SJCS is, quite simply, a reflection of Jewish identity at its best. Families bringing meals to a teacher recovering from surgery. 5th graders making direct eye contact and offering warm smiles to the homeless as they distribute food. Kindergartners bringing out pennies and nickles to put into the Tz'dakah box on Friday. Opportunities for taking responsibility, for reflection, for awareness, and for learning. It's community with songs for Shabbat, and Brachot for the small gratitudes in each day. It's personal accountability and collective values. For me, SJCS has given purpose to my work, and pride to my Jewishness.

Knowing many of the teachers, board members, parents, and students, I can attest to the high quality of the education, both secular and Jewish. In addition, SJCS instills a sense of wonder and delight in whole process of learning; they don't just teach, they create lifelong learners.

Whenever I am at SJCS (and in my career as an Educational Consultant, I have been watching its growth for more than fifteen years) I am reminded of what a good school is and does. This school has high standards for its students, parents, faculty and staff; they treat each other with kindness and great integrity; everyone is expected to do the very best they can in all areas and all are rewarded with love and acceptance as well as support and encouragement always. From the perspective of a Temporary Office Manager, I got to be part of front office for a few weeks, supporting the community in its efforts to function as effectively as it does to educate PreK-5th grade children, maintain an impressive local and national image, and contribute to the number of bright and thoughtful "menschlich" in our world.

Over four years ago I was a student at this school. The three years I learned at this school were something remarkable. Not only did I learn about Judaism and general knowledge (math, reading, etc.), but I learned that you need to be against fighting and that there is always a peaceful way to resolve a conflict. During my time we were at the old building adjacent to the synagogue, but they're now at the new building, which, sadly, I wasn't able to learn at. Nevertheless, I visited the school at the new building about three and a half years ago and it is still the remarkable place that I remember. Today we need these type of school, and being in different places across the planet, I really know. Long live SJCS!!