Jewish Life

Belonging, Celebration, Discovery

Is Schechter the right Jewish “fit”for our family?

We describe Schechter as an intentional community—a thoughtful, inclusive approach to Jewish life that honors both individuality and shared connection.

Our families come to Schechter through multiple pathways, and each one is welcomed and celebrated. At the same time, we are one community. And for a community to thrive, we need shared norms—communal standards that everyone takes part in. These aren’t about sameness. They’re about creating a common language that reflects the diversity within our school and helps us grow together.

We often say that Jewish life at Schechter should be both a mirror and a window: a mirror so students can see their own family’s traditions reflected at school, and a window so they can explore and appreciate practices that may be new to them.

The truth? Schechter might not be a perfect Jewish fit for any one family. But what makes it work—what makes it meaningful—is that we’re all committed to the same vision: building this intentional community together.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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We require boys to wear head coverings (kippot or hats) at all times except for gym and recess. All students are taught about the values of wearing head coverings and welcomed to participate even if not required. Click here to watch a video that offers insight about how we teach about head coverings and our perspective on how we should consider the question of gender.
Every student from Kindergarten through 8th grade has daily Tefillah (prayer). Depending on the day and grade-level, students both learn new prayers as well as build a ritualized prayer community. Though daily prayer is not a part of every family’s religious practice this is an important way that our students find community and build life-long synagogue skills. Every lunch is also bookended with blessings before (Hamotzi) and after (Birkat Ha’mazon) eating.

Our Early Childhood and Pre-Kindergarten programs don’t have daily prayer though Jewish Life is a central part of their regular routine.
In Kindergarten-Grade 5, Jewish Studies meets 4 periods a week. Hebrew Language meets 8 periods a week.
In grades 6-8, Jewish Studies meets 5 periods a week. Hebrew Language also meets 5 periods a week.
Middle School families who would prefer to enroll their students in added Jewish Studies classes can sign up for our Beit Midrash program that meets three times a week. This option is in place of Spanish class and teaches toward the same Jewish Studies learning objectives but with different material and rigorous translation requirements.
Schechter is committed to kashrut (Jewish food regulations) observance. Our staff are available to guide families interested in integrating kashrut observance into their family lives.
Lunches and snacks
To simplify kashrut observance, students should bring lunches with dairy or pareve items only. Students may not bring meat or poultry products to school.* Shellfish and seafood lacking fins and scales are not kosher and may not be brought to school, though other fish may be brought (tuna, salmon etc.).
*If students have a medical reason, of any kind, that necessitates having meat lunches, parents should send a doctor’s note and will then receive permission from the Director of Jewish Life and Learning. This meat will need to be certified kosher.
For reasons of kashrut, health and nutrition, we ask that students not trade lunches or snacks.
Food for public consumption
Only certified kosher foods, prepared in kosher establishments under rabbinical supervision, will be provided at any school functions.