Chaverim (Friends),

One of my favorite quotes from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (and there are many) is: “It takes an army to defend a nation; it takes a school to defend an identity.” Schools have always been the bedrock of society. It’s no surprise that our rabbis and communal leaders, when founding new communities, prioritized building a school before any other institution. More influential than a synagogue, more urgent than a home for the aged, even more essential than a burial society, a school has always been the foundation for a community’s growth and vibrancy.

What was true then remains true today: Jewish day schools are the incubators in which our Jewish future is shaped. Kadima is extraordinarily well-positioned to nurture that future with purpose, integrity, and care.

We are proudly and unapologetically a Zionist school, committed to cultivating a lifelong, personal relationship between our students and the People, Land, and State of Israel. At the same time, we have chosen not to affiliate with a single denominational movement, because no one tradition holds a monopoly on Jewish wisdom. Our students learn from and with the full spectrum of the Jewish people. This, however, does not mean that “anything goes.” Our commitment to Shabbat observance and Kashrut is as central to our identity as our commitment to Zionism.

Hebrew is another foundational pillar of Kadima. Whether a student is drawn to medieval Jewish poetry, contemporary Israeli music, or deep Torah study, Hebrew is the key that unlocks it all. In a society where second languages are not easily acquired or emphasized, our students are given the rare and invaluable gift of Hebrew, and as neuroscience teaches us, acquiring a second language opens the door to a third and beyond. It’s no wonder high school and college recruiters seek out students like ours.

After more than two decades as a Head of School, I can say with confidence that the sense of community at Kadima is among the school’s greatest strengths. Here you’ll find rigorous academics that foster critical thinking, leadership, and confidence. You’ll find students developing strong, proud Jewish identities, a connection to Am Yisrael, and a deep sense of responsibility for the Jewish future.

You’ll find all this — and more — at The Kadima School.

Welcome to the family.

Jerry D. Isaak-Shapiro
Head of School