MAAYAN TORAH DAY SCHOOL

AREA OF SERVICE: Jewish Education (early childhood, day school, afterschool)
2022 ALLOCATION: $48,180
503-245-5568 | info@maayanpdx.org | maayanpdx.org
MISSION:  As a Torah day school, Maayan Torah’s mission is to provide a rich education for Portland’s Jewish community. Maayan Torah blends excellence in instruction with student-engagement techniques to maximize learning. The school cultivates a love for Judaism so students carry their Jewish heritage with pride. 
 
Maayan Torah combines student engagement, excellent instruction and academic rigor with a nurturing environment. 
“We bring out the unique strengths of each child as we prepare future generations to be role models of Middot Tovot and how to impact the world around them,” says Head of School Rabbi Yerachmiel Kalter.
Project-Based Learning is one example of Maayan’s approach. In January, Maayan had a schoolwide theme about the joys of Shabbat, which culminated in a Torah Fair. Students learned about the customs and rituals, explored the activities that were used when building the mishkan/tabernacle in the desert, and unpacked the nuts and bolts of celebrating the holy day. They created displays and did a deeper dive into specific areas, which they then presented to peers, parents and others in the larger community.
“Placing a student in the driver’s seat to own one’s learning is an incredibly empowering experience,” says Rabbi Kalter. “With PBL, we give students multiple opportunities through benchmarks and rubrics so the student understands what success looks like and how to get there. In addition, we emphasize public speaking and presentation of ideas.”
In a similar vein, after Pesach, classes will have a STEM focus and General Studies Expo.
With a variety of scholarships, partnerships with national organizations and financial initiatives, Maayan makes a Jewish private school experience affordable. Last year, Maayan was proud to have given out hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial aid. 
“The JFGP’s consistent support of Maayan’s program has further bolstered its ability to service the Portland community,” says Rabbi Kalter. “It means the world to us having so many partners involved in bringing Torah education to the community.” 

Each issue, the Jewish Review is featuring a profile of one of the 18 local beneficiary agencies of the Jewish
Federation of Greater Portland’s 2022 Annual Campaign.