Ramaz School Brochure

CONTENTS MISSION

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WELCOME

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FACULTY & ADMINISTRATION

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EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

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LOWER SCHOOL

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

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UPPER SCHOOL

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ALUMNI

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PARENTS COUNCIL

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CONTACT RAMAZ

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THE RAMAZ MISSION As a co-educational, Modern Orthodox day school, Ramaz strives to educate students towards the following goals: • A commitment to menschlichkeit, reflecting fineness of character, respect for others, integrity, and the centrality of chesed in all its manifestations.

• A commitment to Torah, mitzvot, Ahavat Yisrael, and love and support for the State of Israel.

• A commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, to intellectual rigor, to scholarship, and a lifelong love of learning.

• Loyalty and gratitude to the United States of America, and the democratic traditions and values of our country.

• A sense of responsibility for the Jewish people and all humankind.

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Educate the child according to his nature; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it. — Mishlei 22:6

WELCOME

WELCOME TO RAMAZ

To walk the halls of Ramaz is to experience a

Our educators do more than teach the

vibrant and supportive community, dedicated

required curriculum — they are mentors

to educating children who are the Jewish future.

and advisors who expect much of their

You will find students receiving the gold standard

students and give much in return.

in Judaic and general studies education, and you will marvel at the breadth and depth of our co-curricular opportunities. Still, the essence of Ramaz resides in our mission, our commitment to menschlichkeit, and to the values of human dignity and mutual respect. This is bound together by our commitment to the Jewish

Our robust academic program challenges our students. After more than three-quarters of a century, we see the outcome time and time again: Ramaz graduates become leaders in the Jewish community and work hard to improve the world around them.

people, to Medinat Yisrael, and to Orthodox

Ramaz is fortunate to be supported and

observance — the strength of our heritage.

deeply rooted in the spiritual soil of 142

On any day, you may see students across our three buildings participating in a lively classroom discussion, packing food for the homeless, holding a study group, rehearsing for a theater performance, walking to a New

year-old Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (“KJ”), a dynamic, centrist, Modern Orthodox synagogue. Ramaz and KJ are one family, each viewing the other as an indispensable partner for future growth.

York City landmark to see an exhibit, or preparing

To be a student at Ramaz is to be given

for an assembly on the latest events in Israel.

the tools and encouragement to grow

We remain steadfast in our goal to provide a safe environment where students can engage in healthy and open-minded debate.

personally, religiously, intellectually, and spiritually. Ramaz teaches children from nursery through twelfth grade, but their education lasts for a lifetime.

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FACULTY & ADMINISTRATION

From nursery through twelfth grade, the

The leadership team comprises a group

passion, guidance, support, and skill of our

of highly experienced school professionals

administration and faculty are at the heart

who bring complementary skills to managing

of Ramaz.

a multi-dimensional organization. Our Central

Our teachers have a wide range of personalities, backgrounds, and worldviews.

Their foremost mission is teaching students the skills and knowledge necessary for life.

At the same time, all knowledge is imparted in the context of strong religious and humanitarian values. Debate and discussion thrive. Teachers encourage intellectual

Administration, led by our Head of School and Assistant Head of School, supervises, coordinates, and implements best practices in every aspect of the school. This includes ensuring a safe and secure environment, a purposeful Jewish atmosphere, academic excellence, and operational efficiency. Our mission informs every detail of school life.

curiosity, interdisciplinary thought, and

The Early Childhood Center, Lower School,

academic integrity.

Middle School, and Upper School each

Almost all faculty participate in co-curricular programs, affording them the opportunity to teach equally valuable lessons in an informal, personal setting. Most Ramaz faculty members

has a division head and administrators who supervise Judaic and general studies, and who ensure each school day makes the most of every teachable moment.

have, or are in the process of receiving,

While our educational administration

advanced degrees.

and faculty are on the front lines with our children, the school is strongly supported by the Operations, Finance, and Institutional Advancement teams.

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INSPIRING THE BEST IN US

A LOVE OF LEARNING BEGINS

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER The Early Childhood Center is a nurturing and interactive environment that fosters the emotional, physical, social, and intellectual growth of every child. Our goal is to guide children gently on their own unique journeys into the world of classroom learning.

Our educational program is child-centered, play-based, and allows children to explore, manipulate, and interact with their environment. We work in small groups to allow for questioning and learning by using all the senses, and to give the teacher a sensitive understanding of how each child learns.

We use an activity center model in which each of the following centers is designed to reach specific goals: MANIPULATIVES AREA for fine motor skills and mathematical concepts DRAMATIC PLAY AREA for sharing, creativity, and expressive and creative language skills BLOCK AREA for problem solving, math, and teamwork COOKING & BAKING CENTER for literacy, mathematical concepts, science, hands-on activities, and nutrition MUSIC & MOVEMENT SPACE for singing and listening, instruments, physical fitness, and coordination LITERACY AREA for text-rich classroom and immersive literature experiences LIBRARY AREA for foundational reading and writing and love of books ART CENTER for creativity, original expression, and free thinking SAND & WATE R AREA for science, eye-hand coordination, calming, and re-energizing

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Our curriculum is theme-based and child-initiated, with many activities centered on Jewish and American holidays, Torah stories, and the seasons.

• Learning is meaningful because of our integrated curriculum, which means that every activity incorporates multiple learning topics.

• Our play-based program allows for risk-taking, reasoning, social interaction, and fostering learning in math, science, social studies, literacy, and Hebrew.

When children play with purpose, they learn through trial and error. This is true in both the social and academic domains of the classroom.

• Our head teachers have master’s degrees and most of our classrooms have Israeli co-head teachers.

• On a daily basis, children are taught critical English language and literary skills. Our teachers have been trained in the Sounds in Motion program, in which teachers use letter sounds in a kinesthetic way that reaches all learners. We also focus on listening skills.

• One of three teachers in every ECC classroom speaks exclusively in Hebrew throughout the day. This approach, coupled with our Chalav U’Dvash program (a Hebrew language curriculum designed for very young children), promotes rich receptive-language skills and specific expressive-language skills.

• The holidays are a significant part of our curriculum and each one sets the stage for a great variety of learning opportunities. For example, at Chanukah, students fry latkes and make scientific discoveries related to oil. During Purim, the children write their own plays, learn about shapes, and investigate the science of sound ( ra’ashanim).

• The ECC takes full advantage of New York City, visiting museums, exploring Central Park, and meeting with local community organizations, such as the New York City Fire Department and small businesses.

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WE’VE CREATED PARENTS VISITING DAYS, WHERE MOMS CELEBRATE WE’VE CREATED PARENTS VISITING DAYS, WHERE MOMS CELEBRATE CHANUKAH DADS CELEBRATE TU B’SHEVAT. CHANUKAH ANDAND DADS CELEBRATE TU B’SHEVAT.

OFFERINGS

INTERESTS MEET OPPORTUNITIES Art Chinese Dube Zone Fly Yoga Arts Happy Fit Hoop Happy Feet Soccer Karate Modern Dance Mohr’s Explorers Painting Super Soccer Taste Buds

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

LEARNING HEBREW

OUR MODEL PROGRAM SPEAKS VOLUMES We are immensely proud of our Hebrew language program.

Inspired by research that shows ages 3-6 are optimal for language development, we teach Hebrew in two complementary ways:

CHALAV U’DVASH PROGRAM This three-year program was specifically designed to teach Hebrew to very young non-native speakers. Its purpose is to make young children feel comfortable conversing in Hebrew. While we focus on language patterns, syntax, and vocabulary, conversations are not confined to a specific topic. Everything is learned through games and activities appropriate to the developmental stage of the children.

HEBREW IMMERSION Throughout every activity, one of the classroom teachers speaks only in Hebrew. This is a proven, highly-effective technique for fostering bilingualism.

The success of our Hebrew language program has led to our being named a model school for Chalav U’Dvash. We also have been honored to host teachers from schools and yeshivot across the USA and around the world. We are known as a model for teaching Ivrit to a high standard while incorporating many features of Israeli culture into the classroom.

THANKS TO OUR ECC “BAKERS” YOU CAN SMELL THE WONDERFUL AROMA OF FRESHLY BAKED CHALLOT IN OUR KITCHEN – INCLUDING GLUTEN-FREE CHALLAH!

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AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO INDIVIDUAL GROWTH

LOWER SCHOOL In the Lower School (grades 1-4), our teachers focus on the whole child. Each is treated as an individual and is a valued member of our close-knit community.

Our faculty and administration get to know every student as both a person and a learner.

We teach children to understand their roles as Jews and Americans, follow in the paths of their parents and grandparents, and become active, engaged citizens of the world.

Productive partnerships are at the heart of a student’s success throughout his or her Ramaz education. We focus on the critical relationships between students and teachers, and teachers and parents.

Through numerous programs, the Lower School has fostered an inclusive and welcoming culture for students and parents. Our academic program is enhanced by grade-wide celebrations in which children have the opportunity to “show what they know” about a particular unit of instruction. Parents are invited to these special events in which the students are involved in public speaking, demonstrations, and conversations around their projects.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Classrooms have one general educator and one learning specialist. This collaborative, co-teaching model helps to meet the unique needs of every student.

• Students are primarily taught in small groups, based on ongoing assessment. This low student-teacher ratio allows teachers to differentiate instruction and spend more time with each child.

• Students learn through direct instruction, as well as through exploration and discovery, providing hands-on, integrated experiences.

• Children spend half their days in general studies and the other half in Hebrew/Judaic studies. Teachers work to develop a love for Torah, Israel, and the Hebrew language.

• Students have classes in art, music, physical education, technology, library, and science. We have a separate science classroom with two science teachers.

• Children learn Hebrew through an immersion approach — Ivrit b’ Ivrit — which begins in the ECC and continues throughout the Lower School.

• Students may receive Learning Center support in reading, math, Hebrew, and Chumash.

• Our first graders celebrate receiving their siddur with a performance and a special recitation of morning prayers with their parents and teachers. Our second graders celebrate receiving their Chumash with a performance; each child is called up to the Torah with his or her family to say a blessing.

• Our CARES program for fourth graders gathers students every Friday to meet with an advisor who focuses on one of these important topics: organizational skills; meaningful prayer; health and hygiene; pro-social behavior and anti-bullying; conflict resolution; respect and kindness; and the safe use of technology.

• Typical curriculum-related field trips at each grade level include: Central Park Zoo for first graders; rivers/bridges and Museum of the City of New York for second graders; Eldridge Street Synagogue, Lower East Side Tenement Museum, and The Science Barge for third graders; and Philipsburg Manor and Central Park with Urban Park Rangers for fourth graders.

• Each grade in the Lower School marks an important curricular milestone with a celebration: First graders have a Publishing Party, in which the children share their original non-fiction, researchbased Community Workers books; Second graders have a Landmark Celebration, in which the children share their original Landmark Brochures, based on research on the NYC landmark that each child has been assigned; Third graders have a Poetry Celebration, in which the children present an original class poem, a class favorite, and individual original and favorite poems; Fourth graders — the seniors of the school — perform at Zimriyah, a theme-related show of singing, acting, and dancing.

• The entire school participates in our annual Book Day, as students and faculty read a designated picture book, learn directly from the author/illustrator, and engage in a series of workshops designed to extend and enhance their reading experience.

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TECHNOLOGY IS INTEGRATED WITH ONGOING INSTRUCTION AND MOST CLASSES USE LAPTOPS AND IPADS. WE HAVE A SMARTBOARD IN EVERY CLASSROOM.

OFFERINGS

WIDE INTERESTS FOR WHOLE LIVES Art Club Chorus Drama Zone Glee Club Karate Mad Science Makers Club Modern Dance Mohr’s Explorers Parasha & Chesed Public Speaking/Etiquette Publishing Club Rock Me Amadeus Running Club for Girls Sports Taste Buds

CELEBRATIONS THAT TEACH, UNITE, AND INSPIRE US Some of the most powerful memories of the year are made during Oneg Shabbat. Every Friday, teachers and children join together to welcome the coming of Shabbat through song, dance, ruach, and learning programs. Teachers draw upon what the children have learned that week, from current events and the weekly parasha to midot and chesed opportunities. Parents and grandparents are invited, transforming Oneg Shabbat into a lively community occasion.

This spiritual and expressive celebration culminates with the voices of children singing with great emotion, connecting to the songs they have learned in school and have come to feel so deeply.

While all grades in the Lower School participate and enjoy Oneg, there are special leadership opportunities for those in third and fourth grades. Boys and girls in the third grade have the opportunity to give a d’var Torah and each week a different fourth grade girl and boy light candles, say Kiddush, and receive a blessing from their parents. There is also a parasha-related skit that involves teachers and students.

LOWER SCHOOL

ONEG

GROWTH, FRONT AND CENTER

MIDDLE SCHOOL A Ramaz Middle School education is an encompassing and enriching experience.

The Middle School (grades 5-8) strives to teach students to become educationally responsible and self-reliant. We design our curriculum and programs based on our understanding of children’s developmental needs, academically, religiously, and socially.

Our comprehensive Advisory Program helps students navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of early adolescence, and our enthusiastic and devoted faculty ensures that each student reaches his or her full academic potential.

Students develop and embrace their Jewish American identities in a safe and nurturing environment, build moral character, grow scholastically, hone innate talents, discover new interests, and forge lifelong friendships.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • The day begins with tefillah, in which there are two parallel minyanim, Ashkenazi and Sephardi. Twice a month we have Women’s Tefillah, which includes Torah reading by our girls. We daven mincha as a whole community. Our Friday shacharit is enhanced by divrei Torah and spirited singing in preparation for Shabbat.

• The Middle School’s dual academic curriculum is measured by its relevance, rigor, and high standards. While we value the Common Core Standards adopted by most states, we strive to exceed these standards and challenge students to expect more of themselves and their classmates.

• In most of our classes, students are grouped heterogeneously. For mathematics, Hebrew language, and Gemarah, students are grouped appropriately, enabling more individual instruction and learning.

• Chumash and Navi are taught Ivrit b’Ivrit.

• Specialty classes in art, music, physical education, computer education, and advisory complete a student’s weekly schedule.

• Learning Center specialists and skills classes in writing and research are made available to support qualifying students.

• Students are encouraged to engage in a meaningful chesed project as part of their becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Every year, charitable organizations are invited to our annual Chesed Fair. Fifth and sixth grade students and their parents are introduced to some of the available chesed options.

• In seventh grade, we have a special ceremony recognizing the Bar and Bat Mitzvah of all our students. The grade-wide celebration includes meal, and the presentation of a class gift to each student.

tefillah, a festive

• Many of our curricular units culminate in projects that are displayed throughout the school: the Mitzvah, Science, and History Fairs energize our building.

• Technology is integrated into the Judaic and general studies curricula. For example, students produce iMovies as part of their study of Shakespeare, create Facebook pages for an element on the Periodic Table, and use SketchUp to create a 3-D model of a city in Israel.

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THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS 292 LOCKERS AND THE HALLWAY OF EACH FLOOR IS PAINTED A DIFFERENT COLOR — PURPLE, RED, BLUE, GREEN, AND YELLOW.

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

LUNCH CLUBS

Arabic Club Book Club Chesed Club Chidon Hatanakh Classic Film Computer Club Homework Club Newspaper Club (6 TH grade) Science Club Torah Bowl Yearbook (8 TH grade)

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

Band Basketball Chorus Engineering Girls’ Running Club Hip Hop Dance Performing Arts Public Speaking Sports Club

MIDDLE SCHOOL

ADVISORY

NURTURING STUDENTS BEYOND ACADEMICS Our Advisory program was created to address the unique social and emotional needs of our Middle School students, and ease their transitions from Lower to Middle School and Middle to Upper School.

The Association for Middle Level Education promotes advisory programs as a way to “increase concern, trust, and better communication among the entire school community.” Research shows they strengthen connectedness, increase self-esteem, and even improve academic performance.

Advisory’s goals include developing peer relationships and teaching conflict resolution, effective communication, and study skills. Advisors also lead students in participating in community

and chesed projects — and help them with practical matters, including organizational skills and adjusting to the departmentalized schedule of Middle School.

In daily ‘homeroom,’ students meet with their advisors for ten minutes to get organized for the rest of the day, have a snack, and celebrate birthdays. They also meet in small groups once a week for an entire class period, during which they discuss socially and ethically important topics.

This curriculum is tailored to each grade. Typical subjects include friendship, cliques and bullying, k’vod habriyot (treating others with respect), nutrition, and issues generated by events in school or current affairs.

STUDENTS GO ON EDUCATIONAL TRIPS. THE 6 TH GRADE GOES TO PHILADELPHIA, THE 7 TH GRADE GOES TO WASHINGTON, DC, AND THE 8 TH GRADE GOES TO ISRAEL!

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THEIR WORLD AWAITS

UPPER SCHOOL At the Ramaz Upper School, leaders are made every day. Students are inspired, guided, and advised as they explore the world around them and make their way to their dreams. During these four years, students grow academically, personally, religiously, and spiritually; gain the confidence and the skills to meet the challenges ahead; and develop a sense of responsibility for the Jewish people, all Americans, and all humankind.

The Upper School faculty is a talented team of devoted educators who nurture each student’s abilities through individualized educational programming. Co-curricular programs provide abundant opportunities for chesed, Israel advocacy, athletics, the arts, and political activism; there are numerous clubs, publications, science research programs, Shabbatonim, seminars, and trips. With Central Park and the Met on our doorstep, students and faculty also take full advantage of Manhattan culture.

Most important, we have an energized, motivated, diverse student body that demonstrates our core values of menschlichkeit: respect, compassion, and community service. As students begin to explore the world, they come to know themselves.

The Ramaz Upper School experience provides a natural progression to future life, careers, and personal fulfillment.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • Ramaz provides a rigorous academic program that includes both Judaic and general studies classes integrated throughout the school day.

• Each day begins with tefillat shacharit; each afternoon, students rejoin their minyanim for mincha. There are minyanim for each grade, a dedicated Sephardic minyan, as well as a women’s tefillah group.

• Judaic studies include Hebrew language, Talmud, and Tanakh and a “Judaism” course exploring halachic and hashkafic issues in our modern world.

• General studies include English literature and composition, history (both world/Jewish, and American history), math, science, and a foreign language choice. English and history classes are heterogeneous by design.

• Our guidance team and Learning Center specialists are available to support the social, emotional, and academic needs of every student.

• Grade-wide Shabbatonim provide students with an opportunity to bond with their friends and strengthen their relationships with teachers.

• Each spring, we take an emotional journey through modern Jewish history as we observe Yom Hashoah, Yom Hazikaron, and Yom Ha’atzmaut. Over just eight days, in quick succession, we remember, we mourn, we honor, and we celebrate.

• New York City is as much a part of the classroom as any other subject studied. The museums, exhibits, and historical sites of New York complement and supplement our students’ regular classroom education.

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• Our interdisciplinary programs reinforce the concept of an integrated curriculum between various subjects in Judaic and general studies. The annual grade-wide programs combine the talents and knowledge-base of our own faculty alongside outside experts, both scholars and laypersons, and take advantage of relevant cultural opportunities in New York City. Each program caters specifically to the developmental needs of each grade on topics including science and religion, religion and law, Zionism, and the history of the Jewish Book.

• Chesed defines our culture and animates all we do; we’ve created a host of projects that allow the entire school to contribute to worthwhile causes. Students also have the opportunity to work on independent, long-term projects stemming from their interests.

• Book Day is an exciting, multi-disciplinary learning opportunity for the entire school. Students and faculty read a designated book prior to the event, and on Book Day, all regular classes are replaced with special electives that focus on the book and its cultural, political, geographic, and literary contexts.

• The culmination of our students’ academic and spiritual journey is a 12 TH grade two-week trip to Berlin, Poland, and Israel, strengthening religious identity and connecting seniors with their families and classmates, while giving them a world perspective that shapes them for the rest of their lives.

COMPREHENSIVE DETAILS OF THE UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM APPEAR IN THE RAMAZ CURRICULUM GUIDE, AVAILABLE ONLINE AT RAMAZ.ORG/APPLYINGTORAMAZ.

OUT OF 79 FACULTY MEMBERS, 17 HAVE PHD’S, 17 HAVE RABBINICAL ORDINATION AND 39 HAVE MASTER’S DEGREES.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT Class Presidents Executive Council SFAC – Student Faculty Administration Committee

COMMITTEES AIPAC-Israel Advocacy Chesed Coalition for the Homeless Human Rights Club Tzedakah

COMPETITIONS & TEAMS Chess Club Chidon HaTanakh College Bowl Debate Team Math Team The George Jacobs Mock Trial Program Model Congress Model U.N. Science Olympiad Torah Bowl

FINE & PERFORMING ARTS

Art Club (Project-Oriented) Art Through Experience Band Chamber Chorus Chorus Creative Tones Dance Film Club Guitar Ensemble Lighting Club Music and Audio Production Course Percussion Ensemble Photography Club Stage Crew Theatre

SPORTS Basketball Fencing Hockey Intramurals Soccer Softball Swim Team Table Tennis Tennis Track Volleyball Yoga

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Arabic Asian Club Bekiut Book Club Bridge Club Business Investment Club City Culture Club Cooking Club Driver Education Engineering Club Environmental Club Hiking Club Historical Simulations Club Mythology Club Physics Club Pre-Med Club Programming Club RamPo - Political and Foreign Policy Club Sexual Identity in Society

PUBLICATIONS Breakthrough El Ramillete Illuminations La Gazette Likrat Shabbat Parallax Ramblings Rambunctions RaMEDz Rampage Sports Report Xevex Yearbook

THE UPPER SCHOOL

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

UPPER SCHOOL

CREATIVE ARTS

INSPIRES Students devote many hours to high level academics, and they also strive to reach their creative potential, often with breathtaking results.

All student work — brightly colored geometric designs, negative space created by strips of ripped paper in muted colors, and haunting charcoal self portraits — decorate the halls of the Ramaz Upper School. The studio art program is renowned for its advanced aesthetic training, as well as its prolific creativity. Students undertake sophisticated and challenging projects such as Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance.

One of the highlights of the school year is Celebration of the Arts, an evening that showcases student achievements of impressive breadth in all the arts. The walls are lined with photographs and artwork; student-made videos and animations play.

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Students read their original fiction and poetry and perform scenes, both comic and tragic.

They play their instruments, in groups and alone; singers sing opera and hard rock; and dancers perform intricate routines they have choreographed. Students who lead the dance troupe have trained with Alvin Ailey and the Joffrey Ballet. Beit Café night is a similar celebration of Hebrew music and dramatic skits.

Each day after school, every room is occupied, and student voices, male and female, confident and strong, ring out. Our chorus and chamber chorus sing everything from Salomone Rossi to Hebrew pop songs to James Taylor. The Upper School band not only performs at student events, but also provides the accompaniment for the annual musical. Members of the Percussion Ensemble write their own pieces. Speaking of writing, our literary and art magazine, Parallax, is nationally renowned for its urban sophistication, and since 1998 has been awarded the Gold Crown Award — the highest accolade from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

CHESED PROJECTS HAVE INCLUDED DELIVERING SUKKOT PACKAGES TO SENIOR CITIZENS AND HELPING WITH HURRICANE SANDY REBUILDING.

Creativity is fostered at Ramaz in a spirit of openness and inclusion. Students know that Ramaz is a “safe space� for artistic expression. Widely emulated, but never matched, the arts at Ramaz are vibrant and alive.

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ALUMNI

To be a graduate of Ramaz is to be part of a diverse community that’s more than 78 years in the making and 5,500 alumni strong — and growing.

Ramaz alumni are in every corner of the world, using their talents to make a meaningful difference.

They are leaders in their communities; advocates for social justice; ambassadors for their day schools, synagogues, and many other Jewish communal organizations. They are business executives, college professors, Jewish educators, and entrepreneurs. They are public servants, physicians, attorneys, scientists, rabbis, authors, and artists. They give tzedakah and use their talents and resources to support the State of Israel, the United States, and those in need throughout the world.

Wherever Ramaz alumni are, wherever they go, Ramaz is with them — for life.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PROGRAM

BUILDING BRIDGES. OPENING DOORS. From the moment our students are graduated, they are connected to a network of alumni, which supports and encourages them through all stages of their lives. Whether they’re spending a “Gap Year” in Israel, looking for a job, celebrating a birth, or mourning a loss, the Ramaz family is always here.

Alumni can be found teaching in our classrooms.

They also can be seen walking our halls, as they frequently return to share their experiences with current students. They participate in formal and informal educational programs, such as Yom Hazikaron, the Business Investment Club (BIC), and the Alumni Career Showcase for seniors.

During the college guidance process, students meet with alumni campus representatives who serve as invaluable resources for those interested in attending their colleges/universities.

After graduation, we provide a special College Directory for college-age alumni to help them keep in touch with one another and connect current college students to internship and career opportunities.

One can always connect with fellow alumni and participate in our programming — even if one hasn’t walked the Ramaz halls in 10, 25, or 50 years!

The Alumni Association hosts milestone reunions, social and educational programming, gatherings in Israel, and professional network ing events. The Association creates in-person networking opportunities for alumni in their mid 20s, 30s, and early 40s. Near or far, all year long, we stay connected to our alumni community through multiple touch points, monthly eNews, and social media.

Our Shabbat Home Hospitality program connects students, who spend a gap year or semester abroad in Israel, with alumni who make it their home. As one alumnus shared, “Thanks so much for pairing me up with a Ramaz alumnus in Israel. It means a lot to be part of such a hospitable network and have people I can connect with in a country where I don’t have too much family.”

TODAY, 425 RAMAZ ALUMNI ARE LIVING IN ISRAEL.

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PARENTS COUNCIL

The Ramaz School thrives because of devoted

Whether gathering volunteers to bake for

parents who work tirelessly toward enriching

teacher appreciation gifts; displaying school

our children’s educational experience. The

spirit through branded RamazWear; creating

result is a vibrant and active community.

enjoyable Chol Hamoed camps for Lower

The Parents Council fosters the “student and parent experience” in all four divisions of our school. Parent representatives act as liaisons between parents and administration on school programming, help celebrate the Jewish

and Middle School students; or organizing a parent-prepared Shabbat dinner for nearly four hundred people, Ramaz Parents Council continues to explore new avenues to foster kinship and menschlichkeit.

holidays that punctuate our school year, and

Every Ramaz parent is encouraged to become

raise funds for important programming.

an active member of Parents Council.

NATAN@RAMAZ

ONE FAMILY. MANY HEARTS. NATAN@Ramaz, a flagship initiative of Parents Council, was launched to extend a helping hand in times of need and celebration to the Ramaz community, including students, parents, teachers, and staff. NATAN@Ramaz offers assistance, support, and resources during life cycle events such as births, deaths, and medical or natural emergencies.

“As a teacher I have sent you emails to inform you of births in my class families.

It is quite another thing to be the recipient of Natan’s Chesed. I found the experience to be overwhelming. I returned home from the hospital after my recent surgery late Thursday. Friday morning I received a phone call and then a visit from a parent. She brought bags of Shabbat goodies and a big smile on her face.

It feels wonderful to be part of a warm and caring community.”

“I wanted to share with all of you that I was recently so touched by the Natan Initiative as I arrived home from the hospital on Friday with a new “stylish” diaper bag waiting for me filled with all sorts of helpful baby gear! Thank you for working so hard to make such a difference in the community to touch all of our lives in good times and challenging times.”

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A Ramaz education is a journey enriched by an ever-deepening Jewish identity; love for Israel; acclaimed, devoted faculty; abundant city resources; and every step of the way, an unwavering sense of responsibility to the world.

Let your journey begin.

The Ramaz School 212.774.8000 ramaz.org