LIVING TOGETHER AS A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY
Hebrew Academy was created to do a great deal more than impart knowledge and
develop skills. One of our primary purposes is the transmission of a religious lifestyle
based on Torah and Mitzvot. We hope and expect that the families of our students will
reinforce in their own practices and lifestyles the values of Shmirat Mitzvot, Derech Eretz, Talmud Torah, Tefillah, and Chessed which are central to our school’s very
existence.
The last thing Hebrew Academy desires to do is to try to impose a dress code on our
students’ families. We do, however, have the right and responsibility to ask parents and
other adults who enter our campus or who participate in any school activity in any venue
to dress in a manner appropriate for an Orthodox school. All Hebrew Academy families
understand what this means. Suffice it to say that we require that men wear a Kippah or
hat in the school building and at all Hebrew Academy events and programs and that
women dress in a manner which they understand is appropriate for a school which is a
place of Torah and Tefillah when they are in the school or at school events and programs.
Any out-of-school event, gathering or celebration that involves Hebrew Academy
students or parents, irrespective of where the event takes place, must be sensitive to
Jewish values and halachic standards, in accordance with the school’s ethos. Students
and parents should never be placed into situations that could cause them discomfort. As
such, students who invite friends to their home should be sensitive to issues of Kashrut
and Shabbat observance. Parties and activities involving Hebrew Academy students
must be conducted in accordance with the standards of the school as well as halachic
guidelines concerning Kashrut, Shabbat and Tzniut.
Since the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations are religious in nature, it is important that they
properly adhere to halachic standards of Kashrut, Shabbat observance, and Tzniut.
Social dancing and other activities that are not in the proper religious spirit should be
avoided.