Tenafly’s Lubavitch on the Palisades middle school celebrated Yom Yerushalayim with a student-run program about the beauty and history of the city—all in Hebrew. Seventh grade students put together a PowerPoint slideshow about Jerusalem that served as a visual background for their narrated story about the city. Dioramas of important landmarks were laid out on tables; old city sites were created by the fifth grade and new city sites by the sixth grade.
The program was directed by Hebrew teacher Etty Vaknin. Work began after Pesach when the students chose their projects. The research and writing was done in Vaknin’s class and the projects came to life in the art classes, with much of the work done at home.
LPS is a school literally built for its families. Jennifer Davis, principal of general studies, said the elementary school began eight years ago at the request of preschool parents. “Our ‘pioneer parents’ said they loved it at the preschool and asked for a continuation. Families send their children here because they enjoy the excitement, warmth and feeling of love.” The school has added a grade each year; next year will see the first graduating class.
Davis said they made conscious decisions about how to structure the school’s curriculum. “Academics have to be awesome. Many of our students come from secular homes and Tenafly has an excellent public school system. So we have a strong curriculum and enrichment, art, music and electives.” Like most day schools, half the day is devoted to Judaic studies and half to secular studies. “Our students will be able to go right into any Jewish high school,” Davis said.
On June 5, the school will open an 18,000 foot expansion with state-of-the-art science and STEM labs, classrooms, a new gym, media center and rooftop playground.
Rabbi Mordechai Shain, executive director of Lubavitch on the Palisades, said building the school was a strategic imperative. “The school is a priority to save children from assimilation,” he said. “Keeping them here after preschool, instead of going to public school, makes it easier for them to stay connected.”
When parents express concern about the cost, considering Tenafly has excellent public schools, he gives them the ultimate reason to stay, “Jewish education doesn’t cost; it pays.”
