Philosophy & Mission
“It is of th
e utmost importance that we
recognize and nurture all of
the varied
human intelligences, and all
of the combinations of intelligences… If we can mobilize the
spectrum of human abilities, not only will people feel better about
themselves and more competent; it is even possible that they will
feel more engaged and better able to join the rest of the world
community in working for the broader good. Perhaps if we can
mobilize the full range of human intelligences and ally them to an
ethical sense, we can help increase the likelihood of survival on
this planet, and perhaps even contribute to our thriving.”
-Howard Gardner
The
David Posnack Hebrew Day School (DPHDS) has adopted Howard Gardner’s
theory of multiple intelligences as part of its educational
philosophy. We provide a dual curriculum of Hebrew-Judaic studies
and general studies that help students tap their full learning
potential. In this way, we create a home for the mind where Jewish
faith and ethics enhance our creativity and intellectual powers.
The
Jewish tradition has long emphasized self reflection. We believe
that this places on our shoulders an obligation to become lifelong
learners. At David Posnack Hebrew Day School, we encourage a culture
of inquisitiveness, dedicating our teaching towards awakening the
natural curiosity of young minds.
Judaism places a great emphasis on Torah, which supplies the
etymological root for the Hebrew word for teacher—moreh. At
David Posnack Hebrew Day School, the Torah is a source of moral
instruction and a model of pedagogy. In the Torah, we find the
theory of multiple intelligences prefigured and enlarged upon.
There—and in the Jewish tradition and history more broadly—there are
innumerable opportunitie
s to explore problems of logic, questions of
language, the pleasures of music and art, the experience of physical
challenge, and engagement with the self and the community. David Posnack Hebrew Day School brings together Jewish learning and
general studies with Gardner’s theories in order to give students
the opportunity to explore and expand all the possible learning
horizons in their development as Jews and human beings.
Mission Statement
The David Posnack Hebrew Day School (DPHDS)
offers a unique challenging educational experience combining
an intensive focused secular education with an innovative exciting
Jewish curriculum. At the DPHDS, we are concerned not only
with our students’ academic accomplishments, but also
with their social and character development. We believe that
this can be achieved most successfully when parents and school
staff work together in a nurturing environment in order to
ensure our children’s well being.
Our goal is to create:
-
Excellence in Education.
The school aims to use the Jewish ethos of hard work and study to produce
graduates of the highest caliber, acceptable to the most prestigious
institutes of higher education. DPHDS promotes academic excellence as
a central goal. Graduates of our school will master advanced studies
in both the arts and sciences. In addition the concept of team membership
and participation is stressed. Athletics is central to our curriculum
with its emphasis on cooperation, fitness and healthy competition.
-
Proud, Knowledgeable and Compassionate Jewish
Children. Our philosophy is firmly rooted in Torah, and is dedicated to the global
community of Jews and the State of Israel and its centrality to the modern
Jewish identity. The DPHDS student is one who is exceptionally well rounded,
learning in an environment that establishes harmony between Hebrew language,
religion, Jewish culture and a variety of advanced secular studies. The
Hebrew language, the vehicle of Jewish renaissance, will be taught as the
portal to our collective past, present and future.
The DPHDS integrates Jewish and American values.
Our school emphasizes the development of ethical and moral
values from a Judaic point of view as well as an awareness
and respect for our pluralistic society in which we live. Civic
responsibility and participation are emphasized. Our school
places great importance on the concept of social action. The
DPHDS stimulates an awareness of Jews around the world as well
as a strong focus on human rights for all people. It emphasizes
tzedakah (charity) and creates an awareness of inequities.
The focus is on how we, as individuals and as a community,
can help improve our world - “tikkun olam.
