Rashi School

PreK-8 Reform Jewish Independent School in Dedham, Massachusetts

The Rashi School

Location

Dedham, Massachusetts

Coordinates| 42°16′03″N 71°11′50″W﻿ / ﻿42.2676°N 71.1971°W﻿ / 42.2676; -71.1971
Information
Established| 1986 (1986)
Head of school| Emily Charton
Grades| PreK-8
Enrollment| 230+
Team name| The Rashi Rams
Website| The Rashi School

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]

## Etymology

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The school is named after Shlomo Yitzchaki, an Ashkenazi rabbi who is typically known today by the acronym Rashi. He was a medieval French rabbi and author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud and Torah.[4]

## History

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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

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### Past locations of The Rashi School

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1986–1988 | Temple Shalom, Newton

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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

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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

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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

## See also

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* History of education in Dedham, Massachusetts

## References

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1. ^ a b "Home - The Rashi School". www.rashi.org. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
2. ^ "Explore The Rashi School in Dedham, MA". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
3. ^ "The Rashi School in Massachusetts - U.S. News". November 28, 2023.
4. ^ Bergman, Bernard (1958). "Rashi as Commentator". Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought. 1 (1): 104–116\. ISSN 0041-0608.
5. ^ "Learning Notes". Boston Globe: B36. September 14, 1986 - via Newspapers.com.
6. ^ "Mission & Core Values - The Rashi School". www.rashi.org. May 24, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
7. ^ Yumpu.com. "Rashi Builds Jerusalem at it Celebrates Israel at ... - The Rashi School". yumpu.com. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
8. ^ "Rashi School." Jewish Advocate [Boston, MA], 24 June 2011, p. 23. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A260792577/ITOF?u=cmu_main&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4232ec3c. Accessed 8 Nov. 2023.
9. ^ Parr, James (June 12, 2023). "50 Years Ago…". Dedham Tales. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
10. ^ Vogler, Paula (April 21, 2016). "Parish looks to origins as members celebrate anniversary". The Dedham Transcript. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
11. ^ a b "Rashi School Opens New $30m. Home". eJewish Philanthropy. September 13, 2010. Retrieved June 14, 2023.

* v
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Town of Dedham, Massachusetts

History|

* 1635–1699
* 1700–1799
* 1800–1899
* 1900–1999
* 2000–present

* Timeline
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* Settlers' lifestyles
* American Revolution
* Civil War
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* Baker v. Fales
* David Brown
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* Death of Elizabeth Fales
* The Massachusetts Game
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* Suffolk Resolves

People|

* Deacons at First Church
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Government|

* Ames Schoolhouse
* Fire Department
* Flag Day Parade
* Memorial Hall
* Police
* Public Library
* Public Service Recognition Award
* Village Historic District

Buildings|

* 19 Court Street
* 601-603 High Street
* Broad Oak
* Daniel Slattery house
* Dedham Community House
* Dedham Historical Society and Museum
* Endicott Estate
* Endicott House
* Fairbanks House (Jonathan Fairbanks)
* Fisher-Whiting House
* Museum of Bad Art
* Norfolk County Correctional Center (1795 jail; 1817 jail)
* Courthouse (1795 courthouse)
* Norfolk House
* Phoenix Hotel
* Pillar of Liberty
* Powder House
* Queen of Apostles Seminary
* Samuel Dexter House
* Temperance Hall

Organizations|

* Historical Society
* Horse Thief Society
* James Joyce Ramble

Businesses|

* Ames Almanack
* Ames Tavern
* Atlantic Power Corporation
* Blue Ribbon Barbecue
* Chess King
* Cortera
* D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches
* Dedham Bank
* Dedham Mall
* Dedham Pottery
* Dedham Savings
* Legacy Place
* Moseley's on the Charles
* National Amusements
* The Norfolk & Dedham Group
* Papa Gino's
* Rust Craft Greeting Card Company
* WAMG
* WFXT
* WYDN
* WZBR

Churches|

* Allin Congregational
* First Church
* First Church of Christ, Scientist
* Good Shepherd
* St. Mary's (History)
* St. Paul's
* St. Susanna's

Education|

* Dedham High School
* Dedham Public Schools
* Noble and Greenough
* Rashi School
* St. Mary's School and Asylum
* Ursuline Academy

Outdoor spaces|

* Avery Oak
* Charles River
* Mother Brook
* Baby Cemetery
* Brookdale Cemetery
* Dedham Granite
* Fariview Cemetery
* Old Village Cemetery
* Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery

Transportation|

* Dedham Branch
* Dedham Corporate Center station
* Dedham station
* Endicott station
* Stone Haven station
* Boston Post Road
* Stony Brook Reservation Parkways
* Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway

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