Meet Our Community
At JCHS, the building we care most about has always been building relationships. Our community is built upon the belief that the knowledge, leadership skills, self-assurance, and personal connections built in high school create a strong foundation that lasts a lifetime.
“Community is important in Jewish and modern terms for its own purposes, but that’s not what really drives it at JCHS. What drives it at JCHS is the power of being in community to elevate each individual. And in order to be elevated, in order to be courageous and be humble, one has to feel comfortable and secure. And that comfort and security depends on their being a network of relationships where student will take a positive risk. They know that there are others who will encourage them, support them, applaud them, and even celebrate them when they make mistakes. Because it’s when they make mistakes that they depend most on a community and they depend most on feeling as if they belong somewhere.”
On our podcast Thinking Out Loud with JCHS, you can hear from educators, students, alumni and others about what makes a JCHS education not just different, but truly transformative. Each week, we dive deep, ask big questions, and explore what shapes learning at JCHS. Tune in to hear from members of our community about what really matters in learning and the uniquely JCHS approach to education.
Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyWhat if the moments that challenge you most are the ones that shape you most? JCHS alum Bennett Taubman’24 (Dartmouth College ‘28) reflects on how stepping outside his comfort zone at JCHS—from theater to AP Comparative Government—sparked unexpected passions and shaped his path to college. He shares how academic challenge, creative exploration, and learning to manage real struggle prepared him for both the freedom and responsibility of college life.
The 25-26 JCHS Knesset executive team, Assaf Brajtman ’26, Elijah Isaacson ’26, Ilan Kalika ’26, and Manny Stern ’26, explore how student leadership shapes belonging, voice, and community. From standing on stage at Hakhel to quietly advocating behind the scenes, these leaders share how they take positive risks, model empathy, and create space for every student to speak up.
Ninth-grader Sayde Czerpak shares how she chose JCHS, navigated the nerves of starting fresh, and slowly discovered a community that felt like home. She talks about taking positive risks—from running for class rosh to giving a d’var Torah—and how each step helped her figure out who she wants to be. Along the way, Sayde shows how kindness, curiosity, and trying new things can completely reshape your confidence in high school.
Coach Marty Cohen, JCHS Assistant Athletics Director and Class of 2019 alum, discusses how the school’s athletics program reflects its values of balance, growth, and sportsmanship. From encouraging every student to “just try” a new sport to fostering mentorship between ninth graders and seniors, JCHS athletics is about far more than just winning games. Marty shares how a culture of respect and teamwork transforms players into confident leaders on and off the court.
JCHS alum and Director of Jewish and Student Life Adi Alouf explains why cultivating humility, curiosity, and engagement with complexity is so important. From weekly Lunch and Learn conversations to the life-changing Israel Journey, she offers her perspective on an education that builds resilience and depth.
