The Official Blog of Denver Jewish Day School

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.

Wednesday, January 15th marked a milestone as we celebrated the opening of the Helene and Marshall Abrahams Innovation and Specialties Suite, featuring the dynamic new Spark Center. This transformative space has been designed to ignite creativity and bring ideas to life, equipped with everything from 3D printers and laser cutters to collaborative workspaces and cozy spots for brainstorming.

If you’ve been on the Denver JDS campus recently you may have noticed the new signage directing you to the Upper or Lower Division, the welcoming apple sculpture, or the engaging, oversized metal pollinators now buzzing around the Farmette. Thanks to a generous gift from philanthropist Michael Staenberg, these custom sculptures and the new signage, all created specifically for our campus by renowned local artist Mark Wren, have been installed on the grounds. 

Aspiring young journalist and DJDS sophomore Cooper Coughlan was thrilled to be a recipient of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Teen Fellowship earlier this year. From writing one article for the DJDS student newspaper ‘The Paw’ as an 8th grader, to becoming the Editor in Chief this school year, Cooper’s rapid ascension and passion for journalism is evident.

This summer, four Denver JDS teachers, two each from the Upper and Lower divisions, participated in the Civic Spirit Denver Summer Institute to grow as civic educators, learn more about teaching civil discourse, and build bridges with fellow educators from other schools. Civic Spirit’s mission is to educate, inspire, and empower schools across faith traditions to enhance civic belonging, knowledge, and responsibility in their student and faculty communities.

"Three students from Denver JDS are embarking on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) journey this school year by participating in NASA’s App Development Challenge (ADC)."

"Tenth-grader Kaitlin S. was excited to share how she and a Modena resident met and became fast friends. Kaitlin was off-campus for lunch at a nearby eatery, when she saw an older woman with a walker approaching the door. Kaitlin politely held the door for her, and they ended up having lunch together. They struck up what would become a special friendship. Turns out the lady lives at Modena and Kaitlin visits her during community service club on Wednesdays."

"I know now what being a DJDS “lifer” means. It means being wholeheartedly proud of your Judaism. Every day, 5 days a week since 2012, I was taught not to tuck away my Jewish Identity but to love it deeply. So next year as I step into the real world, I will remember that I am a character in a story of perseverance. I am not the Jew that sat idly by. I am not a victim. I am a survivor. I am the Jew that found the bottle of oil to light the menorah. I am the Jew that fought at the Bar Kochba Rebellion. I am the Jew that will leave DJDS in a time when antisemitism is at its highest since the Holocaust and spend every day fighting against it. That is what being a DJDS lifer means."

When asked to share some of her favorite memories from Denver JDS, Kyra immediately said, “Color war! It was absolutely one of the best experiences of my life, and it taught me so much. Someone has to start the cheer and come up with the dances. That push to take initiative, and so many parts of my DJDS education helped me grow into the professional I’m learning to be.”

"The events of October 7, 2023, remind us of the fragility of peace and the urgent need for understanding and compassion in our world. It reminds us that we can never stop fighting for what we believe is right. As we gather to observe Yom Kippur, we are called to confront the pain and loss that many have experienced in the wake of this attack, reminding ourselves that history will repeat itself over and over. The Torah teaches us about the importance of community and the bonds that unite us. In the face of adversity, it is essential to come together, support one another, and foster healing."

Last month, DJDS celebrated the renovation of the Fidler Macks Wing (kindergarten through 3rd-grade). The 50’s wing, Fidler Macks Wing now has updated learning spaces, HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, security, and a beautiful new look and feel in classrooms and common spaces. This transformative project has modernized our facilities and will enrich the learning environment for many of our youngest learners, paving the way for an even brighter future.

Now is a time to ask yourself: Who am I truly and what changes do I need to make? Elul reminds us that change is always possible. That is also what is so special about this school. There is never a wrong time to discover who you really are, and who you really want to be, and no matter what, Elul always offers a fresh start. Now is the time to present the best version of ourselves. Show your integrity, show your purpose, and most importantly, show your ruach. 

As he reflects on DJDS, he remembers Mr. Cogan, his English teacher. He looked forward to attending this class. He says he appreciated the small class sizes, small student-to-teacher ratio, and high-quality teachers. To this day, he knows where his classmates are living and what they’re doing. Delivering his high school graduation speech, he recalls he confidently proclaimed, “I can be in the top 10 of my class with 8 total in the class”. He attributes his love of teamwork to Color War,  a competition in which students competed effectively together.