Relational Engagement Model

Maintains and publishes a public Google Calendar and downloadable PDF calendars outlining school openings and closings, holidays, parent-teacher conferences, breaks, grade-level events, and community programming for multiple academic years.

Offers after-school programs including a homework room or quiet reading period, gymnastics for K–1, hands-on STEM activities using LittleBits and DIY materials for grades 2–5, a screen-free maker space for K–1, strategy games for K–4, and a middle school soccer team with scheduled practices and games.

Facilitates collaborative partnerships between parents, teachers, and staff to support student flourishing within the K–8 day school environment.

Integrates community service projects and trips into classroom learning to instill a sense of communal responsibility and ethical engagement among students.

Operates a mixed-grade buddy program pairing kindergarten students with fourth-grade buddies to foster cross-age relationships through shared events and activities.

Organizes grade-specific experiential learning trips, including a one-day exploration of New York City for fifth grade, a four-day environmental retreat in Connecticut for sixth grade, a three-day trip to Washington D.C. for seventh grade, and a two-week trip to Israel for eighth grade focused on Jewish identity, history, and language.

Hosts interactive family events including JFam! Celebrations, Family Shabbat Series, holiday gatherings, and community-wide events such as Yom Ha'atzmaut and the End-of-Year Picnic to engage families in Jewish traditions and school life.

Offers a Hebrew language program using the Proficiency Approach, integrating listening, speaking, reading, and writing through Israeli stories, songs, games, and celebrations, with language immersion woven into daily school life and special programs.

Hosts Israeli emissaries (shinshinim) for a full academic year to enrich student learning through direct cultural exchange and immersive programming.

Offers a weekly Sunday morning program for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers, featuring play-based activities with Jewish cultural components, rotating guest partners, a PJ Library book nook, and a kids' clothing and book swap.

Operates an inclusive Jewish day school for K–8 students, integrating Jewish texts, Hebrew language, STEM, literature, history, and art through a joyful, inquiry-based curriculum. The school reflects the diversity of Jewish life and maintains open admissions and hiring practices grounded in the value of Elu v’Elu (Openness).

Provides general music instruction for K–4 students using singing, rhythm, and Orff instruments, integrates music into Jewish holidays and school celebrations, and offers art classes focused on drawing, painting, color theory, and mixed media for younger grades and portfolio development for middle school students.

Coordinates affinity groups for parents (LGBTQ+, Jews of Color, Multifaith, Sephardi/Mizrahi) to support inclusive programming, and organizes staff appreciation events, including gift distribution and recognition initiatives during Hanukkah and at year-end.

Established the Senesh DSCF Endowment through a fundraising campaign that raised over $2 million to support long-term financial sustainability.

Provides need-based tuition assistance to more than half of enrolled families, including a 25% tuition reduction specifically for Jews of Color in the lower school (kindergarten through fourth grade), to promote equitable access.

Raises awareness about the health benefits of whole food, plant-based nutrition through outreach at fairs, festivals, film screenings, and informational tables. Activities include nutrition education and food-label literacy initiatives.

Offers nutrition and cooking classes, market tours, workshops, and experiential events to build knowledge and skills in plant-based living. These programs are delivered in person and online, often in collaboration with partner organizations, and include structured curricula such as the Food for Life program.

Operates the Plant Powered Plates program, which recruits and collaborates with restaurants in the New York metropolitan area to offer whole food, plant-based meal options to the public.