Rashi School

The Rashi School
Location
Map
Coordinates42°16′03″N 71°11′50″W / 42.2676°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 an independent, Reform Jewish private school in Dedham, Massachusetts. It offers both secular and Jewish education. Founded in 1986, the school currently enrolls more than 300 students in grades K–8.[1] As of 2022, the school’s minority student enrollment was 57.0% and the student-teacher ratio was 4:1.[2][3]

Etymology

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The school is named after Shlomo Yitzchaki, an Ashkenazi rabbi who is typically known today by the acronym Rashi. He was a medieval French rabbi and author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud and Torah. [4]

History

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In 1982, Rabbi Henry Zoob formed a committee to explore interest in a Jewish Reform day school. After a four-year planning process, the Rashi School opened in 1986, enrolling 16 students in kindergarten and first grade.[5]

In 1999, the Rashi School introduced its core values: Ruach (Spirit), Kavod (Respect), Kehillah (Community), Tzedek (Justice), and Limud (Learning).[6]

In 2006, the school's eighth-grade class took its first trip to Israel. The trip is now an annual tradition and a culminating event of Jewish Studies at the Rashi School.[7]

In 2010, The Rashi School moved to its permanent campus in a wooded site on the banks of the Charles River, within Newbridge on the Charles Campus for Hebrew Senior Life.[8]

Location

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Past locations of The Rashi School

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1986–1988 Temple Shalom, Newton
1988–1989 Bigelow Middle School, Newton
1989–1993 Mishkan Tefila, Chestnut Hill
1993–1998 High Rock School, Needham
1998–2000 Former St. Mary's School, Dedham[9][10]
2000–2010 Walnut Park / Jackson Road, Newton
2010–Present NewBridge on the Charles Campus, Dedham

Dedicated location

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The school's permanent location on the Hebrew Senior Life campus was opened on October 17, 2010.[11]

The building is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified "green" building.[11][12]

Heads of School

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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Home - The Rashi School". www.rashi.org. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  2. ^ "Explore The Rashi School in Dedham, MA". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  3. ^ "The Rashi School in Massachusetts - U.S. News". 2023-11-28.
  4. ^ Bergman, Bernard (1958). "Rashi as Commentator". Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought. 1 (1): 104–116. ISSN 0041-0608.
  5. ^ "Learning Notes". Boston Globe: B36. 1986-09-14 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Mission & Core Values - The Rashi School". www.rashi.org. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  7. ^ Yumpu.com. "Rashi Builds Jerusalem at it Celebrates Israel at ... - The Rashi School". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  8. ^ "Rashi School." Jewish Advocate [Boston, MA], 24 June 2011, p. 23. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A260792577/ITOF?u=cmu_main&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4232ec3c. Accessed 8 Nov. 2023.
  9. ^ Parr, James (June 12, 2023). "50 Years Ago…". Dedham Tales. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  10. ^ Vogler, Paula (April 21, 2016). "Parish looks to origins as members celebrate anniversary". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Rashi School Opens New $30m. Home". eJewish Philanthropy. 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  12. ^ "Home - The Rashi School". www.rashi.org. Retrieved 2023-11-07.