Written by Talya Wiseman, Head of Jewish Life (High School)

Years ago, when I studied Jewish Education at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, I met a non-Jewish woman in the same program. When asked why she was pursuing a degree in Jewish Education, her answer always stayed with me.

“I want to learn the secret of the Jewish people,” she said. “How have you continued to survive and thrive over thousands of years? It must be in the way you educate. I want to learn from you so I can bring this secret back to help my own people and community.”

Her words were a powerful reminder of the unique treasure we have in our heritage—a treasure we sometimes take for granted.

Every morning at Moriah, we begin our day with tefilla. It is routine, consistent, and woven into the fabric of our school life. So consistent, in fact, that we sometimes overlook just how powerful the experience truly is. Yet, when guests join us for tefilla, they often respond with overwhelming emotion—many moved to tears.

As teachers and students immersed in this daily ritual, it can be easy to take for granted the extraordinary sight of 850 teenagers united in prayer and song. However, there is nothing ordinary about it. The sound of our students singing together, particularly during prayers for the State of Israel, for the IDF, and for the hostages, is profoundly moving.

At Moriah, our students spend their years exploring the depth of this treasure: the history, practices, stories, texts, values, and role models that define Judaism. Each year, as they grow older, they encounter these teachings in new ways. Judaism remains steadfast, but their engagement with it evolves, growing deeper and more meaningful with each stage of life.

This immersion in Jewish education extends far beyond our Jewish Studies classrooms. Whether our students are in a math lesson, discussing literature in English, or conducting experiments in science, Jewish values and perspectives infuse everything we do. By weaving the principles of Judaism into every subject, we teach our students to see the world through the lens of their heritage and values, creating a holistic educational experience that shapes not only their knowledge but their character.

Judaism teaches a love of learning. It challenges students to ask questions, to explore, to debate, and to revise their understanding in pursuit of greater truth. Judaism also calls us to action—to make a difference in the world.

As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l so beautifully said:
“You achieve immortality not by building pyramids or statues, but by engraving your values on the hearts of your children, and they on theirs, so that our ancestors live on in us and we in our children, and so on until the end of time.”

This is the mission of Jewish education. At Moriah, we strive to engrave these values, this pride, and this love of learning into the hearts of our students, ensuring that the legacy of the Jewish people continues to thrive—generation after generation.