Thinking Out Loud with JCHS

Send us Fan Mail What if reading Torah could make us more humble, responsible, and courageous? In this episode, Dean of Jewish Studies Tamar Rabinowitz explains how slowing down, listening deeply, and engaging multiple voices in dialogue can shape a person’s character as much as their intellect. Her teaching emphasizes humility, responsibility, and moral courage—qualities urgently needed in a worl...

Send us Fan Mail How does the tension between structure and freedom allow for creativity to thrive? In this episode, Dean of Visual & Performing Arts Jennifer Sturgill explains her philosophy of teaching art as an exploration of open-mindedness. She illustrates this approach through a “notan” paper-cutting project, showing how structure, freedom, and attention to detail combine to spark creati...

Send us Fan Mail We are in conversation with Dean of College and Gap-year Advising, Lauren Cook. A 30-year veteran of College Admissions, Ms. Cook has worked on both sides of the process, as a college admissions officer for Mount Holyoke College and as a college counselor for students at JCHS. She is the former president of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling and also a member...

Send us Fan Mail  In this episode, we’re talking with Rabbi Howard Jacoby Ruben, the Head of School at JCHS, who shares how a culture of courageous questioning, deep learning, and joyful belonging shapes everything from classroom discussions to community life. We’ll explore how the approach to learning at JCHS allows students to do more…. be more… as they enter into centuries-old conversations, wr...