At Shefa, our approach is to teach valuable skills and lifelong habits to our students, building self-regulation, independence, and collaboration along the way. Through these programs, students discover their strengths, uncover their passions, and build lasting relationships.
Chesed at Shefa
Shefa’s school-wide, long-term chesed programming is woven into our curriculum, school culture, and building. Students visit our 7th floor Chesed Center to participate in hands-on chesed programming, including Met Council’s first-ever student-run pantry.
The school partners with 15+ organizations for chesed activities, including: Animal Cares Center of NYC, Broadway Community Soup Kitchen, City Harvest, DOROT, Food Bank NYC, Hope Lodge, JASA Older Adult Centers, Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, Meals on Wheels, Met Council, Project ORE, Reading Buddies Program, Save a Child’s Heart, Student Tzedakah Committee, and Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM).
Shefa Sharks Athletic Teams
Shefa Sharks Athletics give students the opportunity to build teamwork, confidence, and school spirit through boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and a soccer team, with home games hosted in Shefa’s own gym.
Rooftop Garden
Students of all ages engage with the rooftop garden by prepping, planting, tending to, and even tasting different plants. These activities are connected to content taught in the classroom, in subjects such as Science and Judaic Studies.
Student Committees
To ensure every student can pursue their interests and passions, Shefa's middle school offers a wide range of student committees.
These include: The Shefa Scoop Newspaper, Tzedakah, Jewish Events and Programming, Epic Events, Israel, Environment, Ombudsmen, Belonging@Shefa, Photography, and the Art Journal.
Chorus
Our chorus aims to help both lower and middle school students with memory, language fluency, emotional expression, confidence, community and teamwork, and responsibility. Each year, the chorus performs at Shefa’s Annual Benefit, bringing a joyful start to our meaningful program.
Maker Program
Shefa’s Maker Program gives students hands-on opportunities to design, build, experiment, and problem-solve in a dedicated Maker Space. Through Lower School Makers, Middle School Maker Electives, Maker Drop-in, and Maker Mentorships, students use creativity and practical skills to bring ideas to life, building projects ranging from tables and chairs to catapults.
Math Team
Shefa's Math Team challenges students to compete in math quiz games individually and as a team, building interest-based friendships, intellectual resilience, and a genuine growth mindset.
.jpg)
