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- Sinai students show a genuine
love for the learning process. The children have
meaningful connections with
each other, their teachers/staff and each other’s families… These children,
I’m confident, will make the world a kinder,
more just, thoughtful and creative place for all” (-AT,
Sinai parent)
- The
teachers at Sinai are nurturing, intelligent
and extremely dedicated to the craft of teaching
and their students. The atmosphere at the school
is upbeat, caring and intimate.” (VH
and RR, Sinai parents)
- As
some of you may know, in the fall my family
is going on sabbatical; because of this, I do not
know where I will be going to school next
year, but I am sure that wherever I go, Sinai Academy
will always be better.” (IC, Sinai
graduate)
- Sinai
Academy is named for Mount Sinai – the event more than the geographical
location. In Jewish teaching, “Sinai” means
an experience, an encounter with the Divine Presence,
the receiving of Torah. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
teaches, Sinai was not a one-time event. When each
generation discovers Torah anew, makes its values
and teachings real in our daily lives and gives Torah
unique expression in our own age, Revelation continues.
Continuing Revelation is alive and well at our school.
The spirit of discovery, intimacy and improvisation
is palpable. Each day, Torah becomes real in our
students’ hearts and minds. The highest
Jewish values are realized in the playground,
in art and math class as well as in tefillah and
Jewish Studies. With so many Revelations occurring
each day, Sinai Academy of the Berkshires is
aptly named.” (Rabbi
David J. Small and Deborah Chameides, former
Sinai parents)
- “We have been very happy with the teachers;
our child is learning a lot of Hebrew; the administration
has been extremely thoughtful and responsive to any
and all of our concerns; the flexibility of the after-school
program has been wonderful.” (JU, Sinai
parent)
- “(Sinai’s) strengths are its nurturing
environment, its moral and character education and
its strong academic approach” (DK, Sinai
teacher and parent)
- I’ve been at Sinai
Academy for six years, and I’ve learned a lot.
I’ve had more fun here than in the rest of
my life combined. When I started kindergarten at
Sinai, I didn’t think much of myself. I didn’t
have many friends, and everything had to be perfect.
I’m still a perfectionist, but I feel good
about myself, and I have lots of friends… I
used to dislike Hebrew but now I enjoy it because
I can read and participate. I look at a paragraph
of Hebrew and understand it… I’m sad
that I’m leaving (Sinai), but I have a sackful
of memories to take with me.” (GS, Sinai
graduate)
- Wonderful
education! Fantastic teachers! (The) small
class size promotes learning! Kids develop amazing
self esteem. The Head of School is wonderful and
truly cares about every child in the school. The
fact that children are learning a language as young
as 3 is terrific.” (Sinai
parent (anonymous))
- Our teachers have been
spectacular! They encourage students not only
to learn, but to love learning. In this
special place, Jewish learning is not only accomplished
with textbooks, but also with games, song, prayer
and dance… I am glad to be moving on to middle
school, but if Sinai Academy had a middle school,
I would choose to stay here.” (NR, Sinai
graduate)
- “… I
remembered a time last year in my Sunday school
class when my teacher asked us a tough Hebrew
question. I raised my hand and answered the question
correctly. One girl asked, ‘How did you get to be so smart
in Hebrew?’ I answered, ‘Because I go
to Sinai Academy of the Berkshires, a Jewish Day
School.’” (SC, Sinai graduate)
- My
two sons could not be more different, both
as people and as students. Yet at Sinai they are
both thriving… in the same
class, no less! The teachers celebrate what is wonderful
about each child and support each child as (s)he
strengthens him/herself in areas of need. The students
in the class truly love each other and love their
teachers. I never would have imagined that my children
could learn so much at such a young age. To hear
my three-year-old singing “Shanah Tovah” in
his bed at night is truly amazing! (TS, Sinai
parent)
- At
Sinai Academy I have had attention that I would
never get in public school. I’m sure I would never tell public school teachers ‘I
love you,’ and I wouldn’t ever hug
them. Here I do, though, and that’s special.” (MA,
Sinai graduate)
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