Davis has become such a big part of our lives. We never imagined our son would be this excited about school—his teachers, friends, the school bus, spirit day, the play, even the lunch—whatever it is, if it’s happening at Davis, he’s all in. His excitement is contagious and makes us so happy to see him thrive. He’s so proud of his school that he tells everyone—from the dentist to the mail carrier. 

His teachers have embraced him with love and care from the first day, creating a space where he can build confidence in every aspect of his life. As Reform rabbis, we feel incredibly lucky to live in a city with a Reform Jewish day school. Although he experiences meaningful Judaism at home and in the synagogue, it’s at Davis where he truly discovers the joy and camaraderie of his community and classmates. Just the other night, he was telling us all about Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and how he made Hebrew fun and cool again in Israel. We were blown away—we didn’t even learn about Ben-Yehuda until Rabbinical school! The fact that Davis is sparking such a level of curiosity, excitement, and connection to Jewish Peoplehood at such a young age is truly remarkable. The focus on Zionism and Jewish pride is inspiring and so important to us during these days of global trauma and uncertainty for the Jewish People. Often, we catch him humming the tune of HaTikvah, and it makes us glow with pride. When we attend Friday morning Shabbat, we watch him sing all the prayers and dance with joy alongside his friends. Each time, anew, we feel confident in our decision.

It is this sense of community that distinguishes Davis. We drive each other’s kids, support each other on both good days and tough ones, and are welcomed into the classroom regularly—whether to lend a hand, celebrate milestones, or simply experience the joy of learning alongside our children.

We feel so grateful and proud to be part of the Davis family—a place that nurtures our son, challenges him, and fills his days with discovery and growth. And we know it’s something special because his little sister already insists on wearing a Davis uniform to her 2’s class in preschool—she knows how incredible Davis is, and she can’t wait for her turn to be a Lion.

Rabbis Sam and Natan Trief