Rashi School

The Rashi School is a K-8 Reform Jewish independent school in Dedham, Massachusetts, offering secular and Jewish education. The Rashi School was founded in 1986 and currently enrolls more than 300 students in Grades K-8.

The Rashi School
Location
Dedham, Massachusetts
Coordinates42.2676°N 71.1971°W / 42.2676; -71.1971
Information
Established1986 (1986)
PrincipalAdam Fischer
GradesK-8
Enrollment300+
Team nameThe Rashi Rams
WebsiteThe Rashi School

The Rashi School is named after an Ashkenazi rabbi, Shlomo Yitzchaki, who today is typically known by the acronym Rashi. He was a medieval French rabbi and author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud.

In 2010, The Rashi School moved to its permanent campus at a wooded site on the banks of the Charles River, within the NewBridge on the Charles Campus for Hebrew SeniorLife. A consequent relationship with the elderly there has been formed. They have monthly bonding activities for students at the school with the residents.

History

In 1982, Rabbi Henry Zoob formed a committee to explore interest in a Reform Jewish day school. After four years of planning, The Rashi School opened its doors with 16 students in kindergarten and first grade in 1986.[1] The school slowly grew its enrollment as its original students progressed through the grades and in 1992, Rashi celebrated its first graduation ceremony. This group of graduates were also present at Rashi's first alumni event, held in 2002, celebrating their 10th anniversary as alumni.

The Rashi School expanded to an Elementary/Middle School format in 1996. That same year, a group of second graders founded a program called Mitzvah Makers, which created an opportunity for self-selected children to make monthly visits to Hebrew Rehabilitation. Also in 1996, the Rashi Purim Tamchui Project was founded as part of Rashi's social justice curriculum.

In 1999, the Rashi School introduced their core values: Ruach (Spirit), Kavod (Respect), Kehillah (Community), Tzedek (Justice), and Limud (Learning).

2006 marked the first trip taken by the eighth grade class to Israel. This trip, first organized by Rabbi Ellen Pildis, has become an annual tradition and culminating event of Jewish Studies at The Rashi School.

Past locations of The Rashi School
1986–1988Temple Shalom Newton
1988–1989Bigelow Middle School, Newton
1989–1993Mishkan Tefila, Chestnut Hill
1993–1998High Rock School, Needham
1998–2000Former St. Mary's School, Dedham
2000–2010Walnut Park / Jackson Road, Newton
2010–PresentNewBridge on the Charles Campus, Dedham

Dedicating the permanent building

On October 17, 2010, over 800 members of the greater Rashi community celebrated the opening of the school's new permanent home on the Hebrew SeniorLife campus.[2]

Garnering a Citation of Excellence Award by Learning by Design magazine, The Rashi School's building was described as "integrating ritual pieces in a very contemporary setting" and lauded for its use of bay window alcoves between classrooms. Rashi's 82,000 square foot building features:

  • Dedicated music room, science lab, and art studio
  • 6,000 volume library
  • Sukkat Shalom community space
  • Beit Midrash for prayer and holiday celebrations
  • Auditorium for performing arts
  • Regulation-sized gymnasium and sports fields
  • 3 playgrounds

The building is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified "green" building.[2][3]

Heads of School
1986–1992Rabbi Richard "Rim" Meirowitz
1992–2002Jennifer Miller
2002–2003Shlomit Lipton (interim)
2003–2008Rabbi Joe Eiduson
2008–2015Matt King, Ed.D.
2015–2018Mallory Rome
2018–2019Robert "Bud" Lichtenstein (interim)
2019–PresentAdam W. Fischer

Presidents of the Board of Trustees
1982–1988Hank Zoob
1988–1990Burton Goldfarb
1990–1992Sheridan Kassirer
1992–1993Nancy Kaplan
1993–1994Gail Twersky Reimer
1994–1997Stephen E. Bonder
1997–1999Anne Rosenfeld
1999–2001Alison Kur
2001–2003Rita Geller
2003–2005Liz Baum
2005–2007Ethel Magidson
2007–2011Cynthia Janower
2011–2013Dana Gershon
2013–2015David Aronoff
2015–2017Kathy Cohen
2017–2019Rebecca Burack
2019–PresentDena Boronkay Rashes

References
  1. "Learning Notes". Boston Globe: B36. 1986-09-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Rashi School Opens New $30m. Home". eJewish Philanthropy. 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  3. rashi.org
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