Jewish Life

Mishpachot Leadership Program

Eighth grade students take on a special leadership role through Mishpachot (family). Once a month they lead small, mixed-age groups of students from 3K-seventh grade in meaningful, Jewish experiences.

Each gathering includes Kabbalat Shabbat, as well as a Jewish-themed activity that the eighth grade students thoughtfully research, plan and facilitate. This program is a cherished tradition that strengthens our school community, fosters cross-grade relationships and gives our oldest students a chance to develop leadership skills while deepening their connection to Judaism.

Immersion in Hebrew language is a great value at MJDS and begins immediately in 3K. This helps students and families to fully engage in Judaism as they learn to understand the original language of our texts. In addition, this helps build connection to our friends and families in their natural tongue.

MJDS students often go on to successfully study Hebrew in high school and join the National Hebrew Honor Society. Learning Hebrew helps children see language differently as they search for patterns, read in a different direction and understand new symbols. This has been proven to help write computer code for students interested in pursuing that field in the future.

We are proud to offer family and student opportunities to come together in the name of Jewish learning. Every grade level engages with a different Jewish value as they partake in text and learning. One of our favorite programs is when students learn about the origin of mezuzah and enter the Makerspace to design a unique creation to display in their home.

We love inviting families to celebrate the b'mitzvah experience at school as a community. Before a student is called up to the Torah, we have our own ceremony where, as a whole school, we honor and shower the student with positive affirmation. This is a cherished tradition and rite of passage

Students experience the holidays, discovering how they bring meaning and value to their lives. In addition to Jewish holidays, MJDS students commemorate events such as Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) and Yom Ha'atzmaut. These events are observed in a sensitive, age-appropriate manner.

A connection to and a love for the State of Israel is an integral part of MJDS. 

We are fortunate to have a shin-shin (representative) from Israel who volunteers at school to help foster this connection. This program brings Israeli teenagers, recently graduated from high school, to Milwaukee where they devote a year of service to the Jewish community before beginning their formal military service in Israel. They share their culture with the students at every grade level. 

Students gather for tefillah (prayer) every day. And on Torah reading days, tefillah is held in the Beit Midrash (chapel). Each year, through our scope and sequence curriculum, students build upon their repertoire of prayers. Student prayer leaders call out pages and serve as role models for the entire school. They recite a set kevah (liturgy) and they learn the kavanah (meaning) of the prayers. On Torah reading days, students in the older grades have an opportunity to read from the Torah scroll. 

The joy and sanctity of Shabbat are marked each Friday in school in anticipation of the start of Shabbat.

Traditionally we celebrate the coming of Shabbat with a weekly morning Shabbat Sing, plus classroom Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations for students in 3K through fifth grade. Upper school students prepare to welcome Shabbat with a communal Kabbalat Shabbat program each Friday morning. Teachers and community leaders often join us for upper school Kabbalat Shabbat.