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About

Our

Story

The Knoxville Jewish Day School emerged in 2006 with a modern vision: to cultivate a generation of inquisitive and autonomous learners while nurturing the skills and qualities necessary for success in the 21st century.

At the heart of our mission is the recognition that every child is unique. By maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio, we ensure personalized attention and challenge each student to reach their highest academic potential. Moreover, we wholeheartedly encourage their artistic, physical, spiritual, and social development, empowering them to express their individuality. We perceive learning as an ongoing and enriching journey, extending far beyond the confines of the school years.

Community is a core value we instill in our students. Our educational approach is rooted in cooperative learning, fostering collaboration among peers and a sense of belonging. Through multi-age groupings, we enable each child to progress at their own pace, celebrating individual accomplishments and nurturing a sense of pride. Interactive learning, viewed as a shared experience, lies at the very core of our school's philosophy and practice.

By fostering curiosity, critical thinking, individuality, and community, we empower our students to become lifelong learners who positively impact the world around them.

Stanford Eisenberg

KJDS is dedicated to the loving memory of Stanford Eisenberg; a man of high moral character and esteem who made his mark on the Jewish community during his eighty-three blessed years of life. An accomplished US Naval officer during World War II, Stanford Eisenberg went on to achieve success in the real estate world, establishing a reputation for integrity, creativity and visionary leadership. He was active on behalf of numerous Jewish causes and was passionate about Jewish identity and continuity.
It is fitting tribute to his life and legacy that the school, upon its founding, was named The Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School.

Stanford Eisenberg

KJDS is dedicated to the loving memory of Stanford Eisenberg; a man of high moral character and esteem who made his mark on the Jewish community during his eighty-three blessed years of life. An accomplished US Naval officer during World War II, Stanford Eisenberg went on to achieve success in the real estate world, establishing a reputation for integrity, creativity and visionary leadership. He was active on behalf of numerous Jewish causes and was passionate about Jewish identity and continuity.
It is fitting tribute to his life and legacy that the school, upon its founding, was named The Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School.

Planting a Seed

With eight students Knoxville’s First Ever Jewish Day School Takes Root

August 2006

Expansion to full K-5 with Mrs. Jenifer Ohriner’s fifth grade class

August 2009

Annual Musical begins performing at the Clayton Performing Arts Center

December 2012

First building expansion to accommodate growth.

July 2013

Purchase and occupancy of 5 acre Campus

December 2020

Planting

A Seed

With eight students Knoxville’s first-ever Jewish day school takes root

2006

Expansion to full K-5 with Mrs. Jenifer Ohriner’s fifth grade class

2009

2009

Annual Musical begins performing at the Clayton Performing Arts Center

2012

Purchase and occupancy of 5 acre Campus

2013

2020

Purchase and occupancy of 5 acre Campus

2020

Mission and Vision

The Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School is an energetic and thriving community, brimming with joy and deeply anchored in fundamental Jewish values and academic excellence. Our mission is reflected in our core values of:
Limud B’simcha - Enthusiasm and love of learning
V’ahavta L’reiacha Kamocha - Respect and compassion for others
Yetzira - Realizing talents and sharing in fellowship
Guided by these principles, our learners actively embrace exploration through authentic opportunities. KJDS cultivates a vibrant community that prioritizes social and emotional learning, enriched by meaningful service projects and supported by a diverse group of stakeholders and scholars. We deliberately cultivate joy by nurturing a natural passion for learning, empowering students to take charge of their education, and guiding them towards self-fulfillment.

KJDS

Commitments

Include   Everyone

Be Safe Caring and Welcoming

Do your best and help others do their best

Keep our school clean and green

Board of Trustees

The KJDS Board of Trustees is the school's governing body that oversees the financial well-being and stability of KJDS for future generations of students.

Advisory Council

The Board of Directors is honored to announce the founding of the KJDS Advisory Council, comprised of esteemed individuals with valuable knowledge and experience.

Bernard Bendriem

Judy Brietstein

Gina DiSavlo-TInley

Gloria Z. Greenfield

Anna Iroff-Bailey

Susan Silber

Ellen Markman

Miriam Esther Wilhelm

Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm

Dr. Michael Zemel

Hallerin Hilton Hill, Talk Radio Host and Producer, Anything is Possible

Mark Mamantov, JD, Member, Bass, Berry & Sims

Ellie Kittrell, Executive Director, Muse Knoxville

Bob Kronick, PhD, Professor, UTK Educational Psychology and Counseling

Joshua Williams, PhD, Clinical Psychologist

Geoff Wolpert, Owner, Park Grill Restaurant and The Peddler Steakhouse

Paul J. Hauptman, MD , Dean, UTK Graduate School of Medicine

Calvin MacLean, MFA, Professor Emeritus, UTK Theatre

Jeff Pappas, DMA, Dean, UTK School of Music

Leadership

The KJDS Board of Trustees is the school's governing body that oversees the financial well-being and stability of KJDS for future generations of students.

Advisory Council

The KJDS Advisory Council is comprised of esteemed individuals with valuable knowledge and experience.

Board of Trustees
Hallerin Hilton Hill talk Radio Host and Producer, Anything is Possible
Bernard Bendriem
Mark Mamantov, JD
Judy Brietstein
Ellie Kittrell director of Early Care and Education Systems at United Way of Greater Knoxville and Bright Start TN Fellow
Gina DiSavlo-TInley
Bob Kronick, PhD
Gloria Z. Greenfield
Professor, UTK Educational Psychology and Counseling
Anna Iroff-BaileyWes Johnson
Calvin MacLean, PhD
Ellen Markman
Department Head, UTK Theatre
Susan Silber
Member, Bass, Berry & Sims
Miriam Esther Wilhelm
Jeff Pappas, PhD
Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm
Director, UTK School of Music
Dr. Michael Zemel
Joshua Williams, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Geoff Wolpert, Local Investor and Business Owner

Planting a Seed

August 2006

With eight students Knoxville’s First Ever Jewish Day School Takes Root

August 2009

Expansion to full K-5 with Mrs. Jenifer Ohriner’s fifth grade class.

December 2012

Annual Musical begins performing at the Clayton Performing Arts Center

July 2013

First building expansion to accommodate growth.

December 2020

Purchase and occupancy of 5 acre Campus

Mission and Vision

The Stanford Eisenberg Knoxville Jewish Day School is an energetic and thriving community, brimming with joy and deeply anchored in fundamental Jewish values and academic excellence. Our mission is reflected in our core values of:

Limud B’simcha - Enthusiasm and love of learning
V’ahavta L’reiacha Kamocha - respect and compassion for others
Yetzira - Realizing talents and sharing in fellowship

Guided by these principles, our learners actively embrace exploration through authentic opportunities. KJDS cultivates a vibrant community that prioritizes social and emotional learning, enriched by meaningful service projects and supported by a diverse group of stakeholders and scholars. We deliberately cultivate joy by nurturing a natural passion for learning, empowering students to take charge of their education, and guiding them towards self-fulfillment.

Leadership

The KJDS Board of Trustees is the school's governing body that oversees the financial well-being and stability of KJDS for future generations of students.

Board of Trustees
Bernard Bendriem
Judy Brietstein
Ali Cohen
Gina DiSavlo-TInley
Gloria Z. Greenfield
Anna Iroff-BaileyWes Johnson
Ellen Markman
Rachael Ellis
Susan Silber
Miriam Esther Wilhelm
Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm
Dr. Michael Zemel

Advisory Council

The KJDS Advisory Council is comprised of esteemed individuals with valuable knowledge and experience.

Hallerin Hilton Hill
Talk Radio Host and Producer, Anything is Possible
Ellie Kittrell
Director of Early Care and Education Systems at United Way of Greater Knoxville and Bright Start TN Fellow
Bob Kronick, PhD
Professor, UTK Educational Psychology and Counseling
Calvin MacLean, PhD
Department Head, UTK Theatre
Mark Mamantov, JD
Member, Bass, Berry & Sims
Jeff Pappas, PhD
Director, UTK School of Music
Joshua Williams, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Geoff Wolpert, Local Investor and Business Owner

Experience KJDS

Visit our campus, walk our hallways and see the smiles of our students and warmth of our teachers. Discover first-hand what makes the KJDS experience exceptional.

Inquire Now