HINENIINACTION:
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them. (Devarim
At Yeshivat Ramaz, parents are essential partners in building a Modern Orthodox community rooted in Torah, respect, and shared responsibility Just as we require our students to interact with peers and teachers positively and thoughtfully, we invite parents to model those same values in their own conduct. By embracing these commitments, parents help create an environment in which every child – and the Ramaz community as a whole – can grow, thrive, and reflect the school’s mission Families enrolling a child at Ramaz therefore commit to the following principles:
ALIGNMENTWITHMISSION,VALUES,ANDRELIGIOUSLIFE
Partnering with the school to uphold the values expressed in the Ramaz mission statement
Committing as a familyto a journey of ongoing growth in Torah, spirituality, learning, and Jewish practice
Honoring and publicly modeling the sanctity of Shabbat and kashrut
Making synagogue attendance on Shabbat morning a consistent family priority.
Choosing informal educational experiences – including summer camps, programs, and bar/bat mitzvah celebrations –that align with Ramaz’s communal and religious values
MENSCHLICHKEITANDRESPECTFULCONDUCT
Modelingmenschlichkeit andrespectinallinteractions–withfaculty,staff,administrators,fellowparents,andchildren
Dressing at school and school events in ways that reflect respect forthe school as a place ofTorah learning (e g , kippot for men; modest and appropriate attire for all)
Teaching and modeling responsible technology use, with social media practices and boundaries that reflect Ramaz values (e.g., cyberbullying, not publicly posting on Shabbat and from non-kosher establishments).
GROWTHANDINTEGRITY
Supporting our children in their learning by encouraging intellectual curiosity, thoughtful engagement, and an ethic of perseverance and grit.
Supporting our shared standards of integrity and truthfulness by reinforcing our Honor Code through dialogue and modeling at home
COMMUNITY,CHESED,ANDACTIVISM
Observing the unified community standard of kashrut set by Ramaz/KJ at events involving Ramaz students, such as playdates, birthday parties, and other group occasions
Ensuring inclusivitywhen hosting celebrations (e g , bnei mitzvot), in the spirit offostering community
Demonstratingacommitmenttochesed,tzedakah,andcivicengagement,bothwithinandbeyondtheschoolcommunity.
Showing love and support forthe State of Israel, and loyalty and gratitude to the United States ofAmerica, by modeling civic engagement and participation (e g , voting in elections)
Participating actively in school life through volunteerism, communal programming, and support of school initiatives
By embracing these values together, we strengthen the spiritual and educational foundation we are passing on to our children and model the kind of community we hope they will help create in the world.
Thankyou for being our partners in this sacred work Forfurther explanations ofthese commitments, please referto Rabbi Josh Lookstein’s letter on the parent-school partnership in educating our students in accordance with the Ramaz mission.
Dr Noam Wasserman, Head of School
Mr Jimmy Haber, Chairman of the Board
Ramaz Senior Management Team