Throughout May, the RCDS community celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month, paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who have impacted our society and culture. 

Holocaust Remembrance Day

On May 6, the Upper School honored Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, at their Community Meeting. In order to shed light on how the Holocaust has impacted members of the RCDS community, Dani Penn '24 and Film Teacher Casey Hallen shared stories of their survivor family members. They were introduced by Maya Maymin '27 and Alexandra Steyn '27 who provided some history of the Holocaust and led a moment of silence.

Lila Rose Kaplan Playwright Visit

The Upper School English department hosted Playwright Lila Rose Kaplan for a class visit and lunch-and-learn after students completed reading Ms. Kaplan’s play "We All Fall Down."

Lila Rose Kaplan writes plays that shine light on the often untold stories of women. Her heroines live in heartfelt zany comedies, bittersweet comic dramas, and imaginative musicals for young audiences.  At the lunch with Upper School students, Ms. Kaplan elaborated on her creative process and navigating and claiming her intersectional identities as a writer who identifies as Jewish and queer. She also answered questions about making a career in the theater arts.

Read more about Ms. Kaplan’s visit here. 

US Community Meeting Presentation 

Students in the US affinity group Jewish Community Circle created and led a Kahoot game during Upper School Community Meeting about Jewish values, traditions, contributions, and celebrities. 

Affinity Space
The leaders of Jewish Community Circle facilitated discussions around Jewish identity.

MS Community Meeting 

At Middle School Community Meeting, students shared a presentation about the establishment of Jewish American Heritage Month, notable Jewish Americans, and the history of antisemitism and what students can do to stand up against it.