Rashi School
PreK-8 Reform Jewish Independent School in Dedham, Massachusetts
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The Rashi School is an independent, Reform Jewish private school in Dedham, Massachusetts. It offers both secular and Jewish education. Founded in 1986, the school currently enrolls more than 230 students in grades Pre-K–8.[1] As of 2025, the student-teacher ratio was 6:1.[2][3]
| The Rashi School | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 42.2676°N 71.1971°W |
| Information | |
| Established | 1986 |
| Head of school | Emily Charton |
| Grades | PreK-8 |
| Enrollment | 230+ |
| Team name | The Rashi Rams |
| Website | The Rashi School |
Etymology
History
In 1982, Rabbi Henry Zoob formed a committee to explore interest in a Jewish Reform day school. After a four-year planning process, the Rashi School opened in 1986, enrolling 16 students in kindergarten and first grade.[5]
In 1999, the Rashi School introduced its core values: Ruach (Spirit), Kavod (Respect), Kehillah (Community), Tzedek (Justice), and Limud (Learning).[6]
In 2006, the school's eighth-grade class took its first trip to Israel. The trip is now an annual tradition and a culminating event of Jewish Studies at the Rashi School.[7]
In 2010, The Rashi School moved to its permanent campus in a wooded 162 acre site on the banks of the Charles River, within Newbridge on the Charles Campus for Hebrew Senior Life.[8]
Location
Past locations of The Rashi School
| 1986–1988 | Temple Shalom, Newton |
| 1988–1989 | Bigelow Middle School, Newton |
| 1989–1993 | Mishkan Tefila, Chestnut Hill |
| 1993–1998 | High Rock School, Needham |
| 1998–2000 | Former St. Mary's School, Dedham[9][10] |
| 2000–2010 | Walnut Park / Jackson Road, Newton |
| 2010–Present | NewBridge on the Charles Campus, Dedham |
Dedicated location
The school's permanent location on the Hebrew Senior Life campus was opened on October 17, 2010.[11]
The building is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified "green" building.[11][1]
Heads of School
| 1986–1992 | Rabbi Richard "Rim" Meirowitz |
| 1992–2002 | Jennifer Miller |
| 2002–2003 | Shlomit Lipton (interim) |
| 2003–2008 | Rabbi Joe Eiduson |
| 2008–2015 | Matt King, Ed.D. |
| 2015–2018 | Mallory Rome |
| 2018–2019 | Robert "Bud" Lichtenstein (interim) |
| 2019–2024 | Adam W. Fischer |
| 2024–Present | Emily Charton |