Each morning at the Jewish Middle School begins with a special time of purpose, reflection, and connection. Before the first class begins, students electively gather for the JMS Morning Minyan—a tefillah service that combines Orthodox tradition with personal growth and community. For many students, it is not just about spiritual practice; it is an essential part of what makes JMS so unique.
Founded and led by volunteer and JMS parent, Dr. Zack Ebin, the minyan offers students a structured tefillah experience as they reach an age where they desire more responsibility in their spiritual practice. “The minyan gives students the opportunity not only to daven meaningfully but also to take on leadership roles,” Dr. Ebin explains. He adds that his inspiration for starting the minyan came from, “observing students genuinely eager to deepen their connection to prayer and community.”
A highlight of the Morning Minyan is the chance for students to put on tefillin for the first time after becoming a Bar Mitzvah. This moment of personal connection to tradition is profound. Seventh grader Declan Roth, who became a Bar Mitzvah this month, reflected on his first experience with tefillin. “It made me feel more connected to God, more motivated in my davening, and just different, but in a good way,” he shared. His classmate, Lyla Banish, a regular minyan attendee, emphasized the importance of the minyan, “Being together for tefillah helps strengthen my bond with God and with the community.”
Another innovative aspect of the Morning Minyan is the student-led Divrei Torah, where students prepare, write, and record their insights on the weekly Parsha to share with the community. This initiative not only deepens their understanding of Jewish texts but also sharpens critical thinking, writing, and public speaking skills. Preparing these Divrei Torah helps students learn to analyze texts, incorporate commentaries, and articulate their insights thoughtfully and clearly—skills that lay the foundation for success in high school, college, and beyond.
The skills students develop in leading tefillah and crafting Divrei Torah extend into their academic work, enhancing their writing, presentations, and collaboration. By learning to express themselves confidently and lead with purpose, JMS students excel in their Jewish studies while becoming well-rounded leaders ready to make a meaningful impact on the world.
The Morning Minyan also fosters connections across grades and backgrounds, with community members joining in daily and modeling values like commitment and engagement. As JMS founder Rabbi Saul Strosberg aptly puts it, “The Morning Minyan creates a special space where students grow as leaders, connect with mentors, and strengthen their Jewish identity—values that carry through every aspect of their academic and personal lives.”
As the Jewish Middle School continues to grow, the Morning Minyan has become a cornerstone of the student experience—an enriching blend of spiritual practice, personal reflection, and community-building that helps students cultivate a lifelong, meaningful connection to tefillah.
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