By Robin Pappas, Director of Early Learning Nine years ago, when our Early Childhood Center opened, we committed to providing a play-based, child-centered, and developmentally-appropriate preschool. Students took ownership of their learning, understood the process behind their projects, and most … Read More
Blog Archives
Just Show Up!
This past Shabbat we witnessed the deadliest anti-Semitic attack against our people in American history. Eleven gentle souls entered their Pittsburgh synagogue, greeted one another with Shabbat Shalom, and settled into their regular seats they have sat in for decades … Read More
Best of Both Worlds and Our Future
Maddie was a state champion in debate, Seth was an AIPAC intern, and Hannah works for Microsoft while Yoni is at Google. Laurenne recently completed her service in the IDF as a Lone Soldier, Robert was elected 9th grade class … Read More
We Have a Problem – Israel
As exquisitely expressed in the Torah, Israel has inextricably been integral to who we are and why we exist. There is a direct and clear connection between the land, God, and how we should act. This can be found in … Read More
Reflecting on Nearly Ten Years as a Community Jewish Day School
At Hillel, we strive for Jewish unity, not uniformity. Our Jewish traditions and core values help our children grow into knowledgeable, action-oriented Jews who view others with respect and understanding. Children learn by example, so it is imperative that these … Read More
Who Are We Anyway?
When you ask your child to think of a story about a character taking off shoes, what do you want the association to be? Cinderella, or Moses at the burning bush? This is one of many poignant questions Avraham Infeld … Read More
Where Truth Can Be Found
From time to time I am asked how religion and science intersect at Hillel. Many people believe that there must be an inherent tension between science and religion, as if one possesses the “right” answer about questions of the universe, … Read More
Why Jewish Education Cannot Fade Away
By Robert Victor, 8th grade student at Hillel Day School I bet at one point you have been asked, “What are the necessities of life?” Your response most likely sounded like this: “Food, water, and shelter.” Yet you have never … Read More
I Won’t Back Down – And Neither Should You
In the past month, two anti-Semitic incidents impacted me personally – two more than in my entire life, and I am 58. The first was the bomb threat at school, and this past week, the Jewish cemetery that was desecrated … Read More
Does a “Loyalty” Tuition Grant Program Work?
Jewish day schools across the country share a mission to educate as many Jewish children in their community as they can. They also share the challenge of finding creative ways to address affordability, reducing barriers to entry, while staying fiscally … Read More