The Shalhevet School, founded in 1991 as an innovation in Jewish education, is a Modern Orthodox Jewish Day School, encompassing grades K-12, in Los Angeles, California. The school is dedicated to the multi-dimensional goals of Modern Orthodox Judaism, in both its religious and general education, with a unique school-wide emphasis on ethical values and behavior (menschlichkeit).

Shalhevet’s modern Orthodox education consists of the following goals:

• Personal commitment to the Torah’s teachings and system of mitzvot, both in the school and outside of the school, as interpreted by Modern Orthodox halackhic authorities. This goal is accomplished by a Jewish Studies curriculum that is developmentally-sensitive, relevant and challenging; by a staff that genuinely responds to critical-thinking students, who seek meaning in their beliefs and practices; and school sponsored social activities that reflect the immense joy of Jewish life.
• Equality in women’s Jewish learning as evidenced by co-educational classes, including Talmud, halakha and Tanach. This allows the natural integration of genders in Torah study, at all grade levels, within the parameters of halakha.
• Producing students who are thoroughly at home in both contemporary society and the full range of our traditional Jewish heritage. This is seen in equally valuing Jewish studies and college preparatory secular education, art, drama, music and sports as means of enriching a student’s intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic identity, and preparing the student for success in higher education and community life.
• Commitment to Israel, Zionist ideology and Hebrew language as central to Jewish identity. These goals are accomplished through classroom learning, visits to Israel, extra-curricular Zionist activities within the school and community, and post-high school Israel programs.
• Active participation in social action projects, community service and volunteerism in the Jewish community, as well as involvement in the wider community.

Shalhevet’s emphasis on menschlichkeit and ethical character development, evident in virtually all school experiences, is expressed through the following goals:

• The model of Kohlberg’s “Just Community,” modified for Jewish education — unique to Shalhevet — comprised of several components directed towards moving students to mature decision making, guided by Jewish values, in real-life moral and ethical dilemmas; and directed towards active participation in post-high school academic and community affairs.
• Moral dilemma classroom discussions designed to develop skills of articulation, tolerance of different ideas, critical thinking and listening skills, and decision-making skills. This innovative methodology also connects Jewish values to ethical decisions, providing students with a fundamental understanding of the values of justice and compassion in Jewish law.
• School policies and classroom policies that focus on inculcating fairness, honesty, respect, tolerance, democratic values and social caring into everyday school life.
• Town Hall meetings, which allow students to actively participate in the government of their school, and which teach leadership skills for future community participation in their synagogues, organizations and school boards.

Through its academic, religious and social education, as well as its unique character development program, Shalhevet is committed to graduating young men and women who will live a meaningfully observant Jewish life, continue their life-long study of Torah, remain Jewishly active throughout their higher education, and move into leadership roles in both the Jewish community and world community.