SJCS

Family Pride Shabbat Celebration

Families of all types and stripes are invited to join us for a joyful outdoor Pride Shabbat gathering! Come celebrate community, inclusion, and Shabbat with crafts, snacks, music, and a family-friendly service led by Rabbi Ronit.

Schedule:
4:45–5:00 PM – Gather outside for snacks, crafts, and playtime
5:00 PM – Family Pride Service with Rabbi Ronit
5:30 PM – Refreshments and community connection

This special family program will take place before our larger community-wide Pride celebration, making it a wonderful opportunity for children and families to connect, celebrate, and share in the joy of Pride and Shabbat together.

Families planning to attend the family program are asked to RSVP here:
https://templebethamseattle.shulcloud.com/form/family-pride-shabbat-registration-2026.html

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Sacred Spaces, Living History: 5th Grade Explores Seattle’s Sephardic Story

Our 5th graders recently took a meaningful and memorable field trip to Seattle’s two Sephardic cemeteries, bringing their classroom learning to life through exploration, observation, and thoughtful reflection.

Students searched for familiar family names, examined the information recorded on headstones, compared artistic styles and symbols, and discussed the similarities and differences between the historic “pioneer” cemetery and the newer Sephardic cemetery. Along the way, they gained a deeper understanding of Seattle’s Sephardic community, its history, and the generations who helped shape Jewish life in our city.

This experience helped students see that history is not only found in books. It lives in names, places, traditions, languages, and the stories we continue to carry forward. What could have been a simple history lesson became a powerful opportunity to connect with the past, ask meaningful questions, and appreciate the sacred spaces that preserve the memory of our community.

By the end of the day, many students agreed that the experience exceeded their expectations!

Kol hakavod to our 5th graders for approaching this visit with curiosity, respect, and open hearts.

cGratitude in Song: Celebrating the Volunteers Who Lift Our School

We started the week on a beautiful note with our Volunteer Appreciation Havdalah.

Our students had the special opportunity to thank the many incredible volunteers who help make our school community thrive. From field trip drivers and vest launderers to classroom helpers, event volunteers, board members, and parent association members, this gathering was dedicated to celebrating the people who give so generously of their time, energy, and care.

Through songs, gratitude, and meaningful moments, our students shared just how much these contributions matter. Experiences like this help children learn that community is built by showing up for one another, offering support, and recognizing the people who make school life better every day.

We are so thankful for each and every volunteer who supports SJCS in countless ways. You truly make a difference, and our school is stronger because of you.

https://youtu.be/i95OXDuzpo

SJCS Volunteer Appreciation Video The students of Seattle Jewish Community School (SJCS) share their ...

Small Scientists, Big Thinking

After months of inquiry, exploration, research, and revision, our Anafim students proudly shared their Herpetology Project-Based Learning Symposium with families and community members.

Students immersed themselves in the world of reptiles and amphibians this year. They asked scientific questions, went on field trips, conducted research on a h**p of their choosing, organized their findings, and developed the confidence to explain their learning clearly to an audience.

This project required students to do the real work of scientists and scholars: observe closely, gather information, compare details, use academic vocabulary, synthesize ideas, and communicate what they discovered. Each presentation reflected not only knowledge, but preparation, persistence, and deep understanding.

Students also extended their learning through original artistic creations, designing their own unique h**ps inspired by their studies. This creative component gave students another way to demonstrate what they understood about habitat, adaptation, physical features, and survival.

We are so proud of our Anafim learners for their curiosity, and dedication they brought to this project. Their symposium was a powerful celebration of academic growth, authentic learning, and the joy of becoming experts.

Little Learners, Big Stage: Kindergarten Brings Green Lake to Life

Our Kindergarten students took center stage for a joyful culminating performance all about the animals of Green Lake!

With the guidance of Morah MG, Morah Gabby, and Morah Molly, our young performers brought their learning to life through beautiful artwork, creative costumes, and songs that filled the room with smiles.

This beloved SJCS tradition gives students the chance to build confidence, practice public speaking, express their creativity, and share what they have learned with the people who love them most.

One of the most meaningful parts of the event was welcoming families and alumni who shared memories of the roles they played when they were Kindergarten students themselves. It was a beautiful reminder of the traditions, connections, and sense of community that make SJCS so special.

Kol hakavod to our Kindergarteners for their hard work, creativity, and confidence on stage!

Ruach All Week Long!

Spirit Week brought so much joy, creativity, and ruach to SJCS!

Led by our 5th graders, each day gave students and staff a chance to show up with personality, playfulness, and school spirit. From historical figures and throwback decades on History Day to the wonderfully wild outfits of Wacky Day, our hallways were full of laughter and imagination.

Sports Day brought team pride (Go Mariners!), favorite athletes, and plenty of energy, while Fancy Day gave everyone a chance to dress up, shine, and add a little extra sparkle as we headed into Shabbat.

More than just themed outfits, Spirit Week was a celebration of what makes SJCS feel like SJCS: student leadership, joyful participation, creativity, community, and the kind of ruach you can feel the moment you walk through the door.

Rooted in Israel, Inspired Through Art

Kol HaKavod to one of our SJCS 5th graders, whose artwork was selected as a winner in the National Library of Israel’s international Yom HaAtzma’ut poster competition!

This year, 466 students from 17 countries submitted artwork, and only six winners were chosen. Our student was the only winner from the United States.

At SJCS, we help students build a meaningful connection to Israel, its people, its history, and the land itself. Through Jewish learning, Hebrew, the arts, and thoughtful exploration, students are invited to see Israel not as something distant, but as a living part of their Jewish identity and story.

We are incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful to our talented teachers who inspire our students to engage with Israel in ways that are creative, personal, and full of heart.

Mazal tov on this well-deserved honor!

Big Stories, Small Boxes, Big Thinking

Our 5th grade readers brought literature to life with their creative Book-in-a-Box projects!

Each student selected a book, tracked key moments, and chose one important scene to recreate as a detailed diorama. Their boxes included characters, settings, and story details that showed not only what happened, but why it mattered.

This kind of project helps students grow as readers, thinkers, and communicators. It asks them to move beyond summarizing and into deeper skills: analyzing a story, making choices, explaining their thinking, and translating ideas into something visual and meaningful.

Kol hakavod to our 5th graders for showing us that great stories can live anywhere, even inside a box.

A Milestone Rooted in Torah, Joy, and Community

Chagigat HaChumash was a joyful reminder of what makes SJCS special: deep learning, meaningful tradition, student voice, and a community that shows up with heart.

In preparation, students worked with Rabbi Laura and Gabby, our art teacher, to create tri-fold displays exploring Jewish values rooted in Torah. Each small group presented their work with confidence, sharing their learning, reflections, and pride.

The celebration marked a meaningful next step in their Jewish learning journey as each child received their own Chumash. Families then joined together in a collective blessing, surrounding our students with love, community, and support.