The Official Blog of Denver Jewish Day School

JEWISHcolorado and Denver Jewish Day School announced today a transformative development for the community: the grant of nearly $1.5 million in forgiveness of a DJDS outstanding loan.

Writing is a foundational skill that supports self-expression, critical thinking, and learning across all subjects. This year, DJDS is expanding The Writing Revolution program school-wide, using explicit, cross-curricular instruction to help students develop strong writing, communication, and thinking skills.

This year promises to be extraordinary for many reasons, but one in particular stands out: we are celebrating our Golden Anniversary! For half a century, our school has provided exceptional Jewish and general education to students here in Denver, Colorado. This milestone is not only a reason to celebrate—it’s an opportunity to reflect on our rich history and look ahead to an even brighter future

"Each month, 5th graders planned and led Hebrew-based activities—letter hunts, games, holiday crafts—tailored to their buddies’ interests, like Pokémon or sports-themed games. They took their roles seriously, planning thoughtfully and leading with patience and care. Their confidence blossomed.

Kindergarteners, in turn, could hardly wait for their next buddy meeting. The words “Hebrew Buddies” sparked excitement. To them, the big kids were heroes, offering encouragement, fun, and friendship."

"It’s a true privilege and marvel that DJDS has a functional educational farm. That vision set into motion over 10 years ago has become a highlight of our school and brings a new lens to learning by being outdoors with an array of engagement opportunities for students, families, and the broader community."

"We aren’t graduating today because of the formulas we memorized or the essays we wrote; we are graduating because we learned how to be resilient, the value of hard work, the importance of kindness, and the strength that comes from community.  As we stand at the crossroads of adulthood, having grown up together and being shaped by DJDS, remember, we have the power to impact the world around us. Success is not defined by the absence of obstacles but by our ability to overcome them."

"We learned to fight hard for the things we believed in, and to work with people from opposing ideologies. I think the experience is worthwhile because it teaches you how to speak confidently to a large group of people. Learning to acquire good public speaking skills is really important and NHSMUN is great practice. NHSMUN is also a worthwhile experience because it helps teach you how to collaborate with others and work together towards a common goal."

In a very real way, DJDS brings the message of Iyar to life. It is a community where Torah is not only taught but lived—where students are not only educated but uplifted. This school doesn’t just offer a curriculum; it offers a journey. A journey of becoming, of connecting, of healing.

We must use this month as a reminder that every time we don’t fully indulge in our Jewish pride, we are letting those who want us to stop practicing our Judaism win. We need to be proud jews, and we need to embody that survivor, strong, Jewish spirit in all things we do. At DJDS, we so easily have access to these Jewish practices and to a Jewish community more than anyone else, yet we take it for granted. We can’t let this happen. We as a Jewish community need to have joy, to dance again, and to be the proudest Jews we can be.

A pivotal moment in Aryeh’s life came when he participated in the school’s Hebrew Immersion Program (HIP). While Zionism had always been part of his identity, it wasn’t until his HIP experience that he felt a deep, personal connection to the country and its people. Later, during a semester abroad at Hebrew University, he made the decision to make Aliyah. In 2018, soon after graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in international relations, he moved to Israel and enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), serving two years of active duty and continuing as a reservist.