Jewish life at the school
Hebrew, Shabbat and the holidays in a school year
Jewish life is part of the school day.
Hebrew
Taught as a subject every day, from songs and letters in kindergarten to reading and conversation in the upper grades.
The morning gathering
A short blessing and a song, led by a different class each week. A student who would rather listen may.
Shabbat on Friday
School ends early, with a gathering at the end of the day so families can get ready for Shabbat.
The holidays
Each one is told as a story and marked in class: a sukkah in fall, candles in winter, costumes in late winter and a seder in spring.
The holidays
Holidays and closures by month
The holidays follow the Hebrew calendar, so they land on different days each year. The office sends the exact days as soon as they are known.
Rosh Hashanah
Early fall, two days · The school is closed. Classes make cards and bake round loaves the week before.
Yom Kippur
Early fall, one day · The school is closed. The day before, students talk about saying sorry and starting again.
Sukkot
Fall, a week with two closed days · Students build and decorate the sukkah, and every class eats a lunch in it.
Hanukkah
December · A candle-lighting evening for families, with songs from every class.
Purim
Late winter · A costume morning, a reading of the story and a baking day.
Passover
Spring, about a week · Each class holds a seder before the break.
Sample dates.
Who is welcome
Families from many backgrounds
Families come to Maxim from synagogues and from none, and many are interfaith. All families who want what we teach are welcome. The school day is in English, with Hebrew and Judaic studies taught as subjects, and the head of school is glad to talk about what that means for your child before you apply.
Ask us about the school day
Talk with the head of school at a visit about holidays, lunch and what each grade does.