Jewish life at NEJA is vibrant, inclusive, and woven into the fabric of each school day. Every encounter with Judaism helps deepen our students’ connections—to their classmates, the Jewish community, and their own spirituality. From participating in daily Shacharit with peers to welcoming Shabbat at our weekly “Shabbat Shebang!" or "Oneg Shabbat,” and engaging in acts of chesed (kindness), students gain a meaningful appreciation for Jewish values in action.
Our community reflects the diversity of the Jewish people, with students from a wide range of religious backgrounds. We celebrate and honor that diversity while creating shared experiences that connect us all.
Key elements of Jewish life at NEJA include:
- Shabbat Celebrations: Weekly Shabbat Shebang! For ECC—3rd Grade and Oneg Shabbat for 4th–6th grade
- Kashrut: Respectful and mindful food practices across campus
- Tefillah: Daily shacharit and mincha services for the Upper School, all students say birkat ha'mazon after lunches
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebrations: In-school recognition and celebration of this milestone, offered when the student or family informs us of the upcoming event
- Holiday Observance: School-wide programs for major and minor religious Holidays
- Special Commemorations: Programs for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day), and other significant dates in Israeli History
- Israel: Strong focus on Israel and building lasting connections to our homeland
