Welcome

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Denver Jewish Day School. I am so proud to lead this amazing school and be a part of this wonderful community — a community united in our respect for each other.  I am now entering my twelfth year at Denver JDS, and I am so proud that all four of my children have graduated from this great school.

Our pluralistic Jewish community day school prepares and inspires Jewish students through an extraordinary secular and Judaic education to live purposefully, act ethically, and thrive in the world. Denver JDS students are intrinsically full of wonder and curiosity. They are full of potential, and we, as educators, are delighted to guide them on their journey as they discover their own identities as individuals and as Jews. These students are our future, and we center the learning on them.  

Denver JDS teachers are caring, knowledgeable professionals who are deeply committed to the growth of our students and to creating the best possible learning environment for that growth. They model our Jewish values, acting with compassion, empathy, kindness, and integrity, and as mentors, guides, and caretakers. Our faculty want to make a difference in our students’ lives and a positive impact on the world through their teaching.

When you are at Denver JDS you will see students, faculty, staff, and parents striving to embody our Divrei Chaim, our  Words To Live By — Kindness, Integrity, Curiosity, Community, and Purpose. I look forward to having your family be a part of our unique school community.

Dr. Avi Halzel
Head of School/CEO


 

About Dr. Halzel

Dr. Halzel earned his bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and has a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Judaism. In November 2018 he received a Doctor of Pedagogy, honoris causa, from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has more than 25 years of Jewish day school experience and joined Denver JDS in 2007. As a father of four (each of whom graduated from Denver JDS), Dr. Halzel also know a thing or two about parenting. In his spare time, Dr. Halzel likes to spend time with his family, travel, bike, and play the drums.