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The Unique Drishat Shalom Experience at dTHS
One of the most unique student experiences at de Toledo is Drishat Shalom. A four-year commitment and graduation requirement, this core aspect of the school’s Jewish Studies curriculum calls on students in 9th-11th grades to study, research, and analyze traditional Jewish texts before developing final portfolios and giving public Drishat Shalom (“words of peace”) presentations in 12th grade.
These deeply personal, introspective presentations – often given before the entire school community – weave together insights based on assigned texts combined with firsthand life experiences and challenges.
This past Friday’s Drishat Shalom presentation was given at Town Hall by senior Katherine S. (’24), who spoke eloquently about the inspiration and life lessons she has personally drawn from the Torah’s recounting of Shifra and Puah, the two midwives in Egypt who dared to defy the Pharaoh’s decree to kill Jewish newborn babies. These heroines took enormous personal risks to their own safety by doing the right thing.
Katherine went on to describe her own journey at de Toledo, and how she has been empowered by learning how to advocate for herself and for others – and in the process – has learned to stand up for what is right.
It was deeply meaningful to assemble as a school community for this Drishat Shalom presentation and share the experience with Katherine’s family, which includes her grandfather, The Honorable Marc Nathanson – U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway – who joined us for the occasion (pictured).
Friday’s Drishat Shalom was yet one more reminder how at dTHS we expand our students’ minds and enrich their souls, in equal time and equal measure, in a way that is so unique to our school and educational philosophy.
Located in the San Fernando Valley portion of the City of Los Angeles in Northern Los Angeles County. de Toledo High School is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Builders of Jewish Education (BJE,) and financially supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Jim Joseph Foundation.
