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The College Ranking Jewish Families Are Actually Waiting For
Confirmed
In Short: Families are increasingly choosing Jewish day schools for their middle schoolers, drawn by the schools' values-based education and community.
According to a recent report by Jewishboston, the largest influx of transfer students to Jewish day schools occurs during the middle school years.
These families are seeking a more enriching and values-based academic experience for their emerging teens.
Many day schools run excellent 'onboarding' programs to help new students acclimate to the immersive experience of day school Hebrew and Jewish studies.
The report highlights that there may be as many reasons for choosing Jewish day school as there are families in the school communities.
Still, some want an academic experience steeped in the Jewish tradition of critical thinking and ethical behavior.
From superior college preparatory programs to a variety of extracurricular activities, there is truly something for everyone.
However, the American Jewish community is also grappling with stark divides on views on Israel.
According to an AP-NORC poll released in July, four in ten American Jewish adults say they’ve disagreed with a family member over Israel.
These divisions are only getting more pronounced, with some Jews choosing to observe Yom Kippur with anti-Zionist groups like Jewish Voice for Peace.
Pink, a Jewish pop star, has entered the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian remarks while opening for Ed Sheeran, resharing a post criticizing the rapper’s performance.
Pink’s response adds a prominent Jewish voice to criticism that had already been building around Macklemore’s appearances.
Meanwhile, Jewish Federations of North America report that Jewish communal institutions spend an estimated $1 billion annually on security.
What this adds
The surge in middle school transfers to Jewish day schools reflects a broader trend of families seeking values-based education.
The divisions within the American Jewish community over Israel are becoming more pronounced, affecting how some Jews observe religious holidays.
What's confirmed
- According to a recent report by Jewishboston, the largest influx of transfer students to Jewish day schools occurs during the middle school years.
- These families are seeking a more enriching and values-based academic experience for their emerging teens.
- Many day schools run excellent 'onboarding' programs to help new students acclimate to the immersive experience of day school Hebrew and Jewish studies.
- The report highlights that there may be as many reasons for choosing Jewish day school as there are families in the school communities.
- Still, some want an academic experience steeped in the Jewish tradition of critical thinking and ethical behavior.
- From superior college preparatory programs to a variety of extracurricular activities, there is truly something for everyone.
- However, the American Jewish community is also grappling with stark divides on views on Israel.
- According to an AP-NORC poll released in July, four in ten American Jewish adults say they’ve disagreed with a family member over Israel.
- These divisions are only getting more pronounced, with some Jews choosing to observe Yom Kippur with anti-Zionist groups like Jewish Voice for Peace.
- Pink, a Jewish pop star, has entered the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian remarks while opening for Ed Sheeran, resharing a post criticizing the rapper’s performance.
- Pink’s response adds a prominent Jewish voice to criticism that had already been building around Macklemore’s appearances.
- Meanwhile, Jewish Federations of North America report that Jewish communal institutions spend an estimated $1 billion annually on security.
What's still developing
- Our day schools have increasingly found that their unique, caring communities and educational opportunities resonate with families who might not have considered day school when their child first began school.
- They visited Jewish and Palestinian villages, and they felt they were becoming more ideologically aligned.
- “It’s actually one of the really strong foundations of Jewish rabbinic life,” Fruchter said.
- (RNS and NPR) — Growing up in a Reform Jewish congregation, Adam loved Yom Kippur — the day of atonement and the holiest day of the Jewish year.
- After three years of war in Gaza, in which more than 73,789 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed, he’s not comfortable observing the holiday in Jewish congregations that continue to support Israel.
- Its families are getting back together Where to observe Yom Kippur in St. Louis in 2026 Why Southern Jews and synagogues mourned Robert E.
- They brought it home to Jazz St. Louis Jewish pop star Pink weighs in after Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ speech at Ed Sheeran concert 14 things you didn’t know about Fauda star Lior Raz St. Louis native Dani Wexelman joins Cardinals broadcast team Jewish pop star Pink has entered the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian remarks while opening for Ed Sheeran, resharing an Instagram post criticizing the rapper’s performance and calling for apologies and refunds for concertgoers.
- “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is criticism of you,” he said.
- Previous Jewish Light coverage has noted her comments about antisemitism and raising Jewish children.
- Pink, who has spoken publicly about antisemitism and raising Jewish children, reshared a post from StopAntisemitism after Macklemore used his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to chant “Free Palestine” and accuse Israel of apartheid and genocide.
- The Jewish Light has previously covered Pink’s Jewish identity and comments about raising her children Jewish.
- According to the Saudi newspaper, Houthi forces took entire families hostage in some cases in an effort to pressure relatives who had fought alongside Saudi-backed forces to surrender.