FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Melvin J. Berman Hebrew

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Frequently Asked Questions
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What type of school is Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy?
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MJBHA is the only Modern Orthodox Preschool - 12th grade day school in the Washington area.
About 700 students learn in our dual-curriculum college preparatory program in an atmosphere of
reverence, good citizenship and love of the Jewish people and Israel.
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What are school hours?
Preschool: 9:00am – 12:00 noon or 2:15pm
Lower School: 8:15am – 3:30pm
Middle School: 8:15am – 4:30pm
Upper School: 8:15am – 5:30pm
Before and after school care is available for students in preschool. After school care is available
for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.
How do students get to and from school?
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The majority of MJBHA families carpool to and from school. Bus transportation is available with one
way and round trip options assuming there are a sufficient number of riders to maintain the route.
What do students wear?
While there is no formal uniform, there is a school dress code. For more details please visit our
website.
How large are the classes?
There are 15 – 20 students per class and approximately 50-60 students per grade.
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Is there a school lunch program?
Students may bring their own dairy or parve lunch, and a hot lunch is available for purchase from
our cafeteria every school day. We strive to be a peanut/nut free school.
What does MJBHA do to help keep students safe?
Two full-time security officers are equipped with modern technology to keep our students and
faculty secure. All doors are locked and the front entrance is monitored. A registered nurse is on
the premises beginning at 8:15 am every day.
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How old does a student have to be to apply for kindergarten?
According to Maryland State law, students entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before
September 1st of the entering year.
Are classes co-educational?
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All classes are co-educational through 5th grade. In the Middle & Upper school classes are
separated for Judaic studies only.
How do students balance the demands of both the general and
Judaic curriculA within each day?
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Students enjoy a rich dual curricular approach to education. Many of the academic concepts
are integrated between both general studies and Judaics so each child develops a strong sense
of Jewish identity and solid grounding in both areas. MJBHA teachers and administrators are
committed to providing students with a foundation for excellence in all their studies.
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Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy Harry A. Epstein Campus 13300 Arctic Avenue Rockville, MD 20853 301.962.9400 www.mjbha.org
Where do MJBHA students go when they graduate?
Our graduates are accepted to a broad spectrum of colleges and universities including the country’s
most competitive programs. In addition, MJBHA graduates are accepted into the most rigorous
programs in Israeli yeshivot and seminaries.
How are students’ social and emotional needs addressed?
Full-time, experienced guidance counselors work with students in each division to ensure their
social and emotional needs are being addressed; students are also taught proactive and preventative
communication skills in all grades. MJBHA has a zero tolerance policy for verbal, physical, and cyber
aggression.
What educational enhancements do students enjoy?
Students benefit from the Deborah Lerner Gross Jewish Cultural Arts Center, the Helene Berman
Seidenfeld Visual Arts Center, music programs, the Hebrew Academy Dramatic Arts Society, a full
range of after school PTA activities, a full range of competitive athletics, and much, much more.
How are students’ special learning needs addressed?
Our teachers and administrators, under the direction of our Special Services Director, help our
students succeed by providing accommodations and small-group resource assistance. More intensive
services are offered through Sulam (www.sulam.org).
How do families apply for financial assistance?
MJBHA is committed to providing students with a Jewish education regardless of economic
circumstances. Financial aid is available for families that demonstrate financial need. To obtain
a scholarship application, check off the “Scholarship Application Request” box in the admission
application. All scholarship matters are conducted in the strictest of confidence, respecting the
privacy of each family.
How do I get more information and an application for admission?
Information and an application can be downloaded from our website. To receive a printed copy or to
arrange to visit the school, please call or email Admissions Director, Sharon Butler, at 301-962-9400 ext.
5630, [email protected].
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.MJBHA.ORG.
Financial Resources
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Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy relies on the generous support of parents, grandparents,
community members, alumni and friends to maintain standards of excellence in Jewish education
for our students.  All contributions are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.
For Our Children… and Those Who Love Them
The MJBHA Annual Campaign
Every gift and volunteer are appreciated and make a difference in our ability to provide resources
to recruit and retain the best teachers, enable about 37% of our student to receive a Jewish
education through full or partial scholarships, provide educational enhancements, arts, special
programming, athletics, library resources, technology and do much, much more to help our
students maximize their experience at MJBHA.
Moreshet L’Yeladim- A Legacy for Our Children
The MJBHA Endowment Campaign
An endowed gift to MJBHA ensures that your support for Jewish education continues in
perpetuity. Consider supporting a special project through a direct donation, planned gift, life
income gift or another creative financial vehicle. You can also make a contribution to one of our
existing endowment funds.
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Building a Permanent Home
The MJBHA Capital Campaign
Since moving into the former Peary High School
in 1999, philanthropic support has enabled us
to make significant physical improvements to
our new home while providing donors with a
permanent acknowledgement of the gift
for many generations to come.
Scholarships and
Educational Enhancements
10%
Books & Supplies
1.6%
Professional Development
6.6%
Student Activities
72%
scholarships
10%
Torah Mitzion Kollel
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For information about any of these programs, please contact Jennifer Zukerman at extension 5183.
Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy Harry A. Epstein Campus 13300 Arctic Avenue Rockville, MD 20853 301.962.9400 www.mjbha.org
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From The Headmaster
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äøåú-Torah: We strive to provide our students with a firm foundation in Torah and Jewish law, a
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Welcome to the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy! Whether you are the parents of a 2 year-old
tentatively taking his or her first steps in school, a Lower Schooler moving into the area, or a
Middle/Upper Schooler transitioning from another school, we are thrilled that you are considering
joining our family. We look forward to working with you to encourage your children’s learning and
growth as well as to provide opportunities for challenges and accomplishments.
As a Modern Orthodox Jewish day school, MJBHA’s mission reflects 5 core values, each of
which contributes to the development of mature, committed, thinking and sensitive young Jews
and Americans.
desire for a meaningful relationship with God, and a love for Jewish learning and practice.
äîëç-Chochmah: We encourage our students to excel academically in an atmosphere that
encourages curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and integrity.
õøà êøã-Derech Eretz: We emphasize the highest standard of personal conduct and seek to instill
in our students a sensitivity towards others in all of their words and actions.
ìàøùé-Yisrael: We cultivate an enduring love of the people of Israel, the land of Israel, and the
state of Israel.
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úåéøçà-Acharayut: We promote a deep sense of responsibility for ourselves, for each other, for
the Jewish community, for America and for people around the world.
Each of us in the school feels that it is their personal responsibility to provide a warm and nurturing environment for your child to build upon these core values. We look forward to partnering
with you in this endeavor.
Joshua Levisohn, Ph.D.
Headmaster
Please visit my blog:
http://mjbhaheadmaster.spaces.live.com/blog/
Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy Harry A. Epstein Campus 13300 Arctic Avenue Rockville, MD 20853 301.962.9400 www.mjbha.org