[sak9645]

I don't think JDS keeps a waiting list. I think you apply in the year your child is 4. As I recall, I filled out an application, met with the admissions people, brought Becca to an afternoon session where the children were evaluated, and got word that she was accepted.

Part of the evaluation was done with a group of kids together. A grownup read a story and then asked some questions. Others watched to see how the kids behaved during the story and if they seemed to be following what was going on. I don't really remember the rest, except that my daughter didn't seem stressed by it, and seemed to enjoy it.

Becca actually started school when she was four because her birthdate is in October. At that time, the cutoff was December 31. However, I vaguely remember the school considering moving the cutoff back to August 31, so you will want to talk to the school folks.

Here's the way the website explains the enrollment process:

"Parents interested in enrollment may call the Admissions Office to receive material and to make an appointment to tour the School.

You may also fill out our online inquiry form in order to receive enrollment materials.

Additionally there is a Lower School evening Open House. We encourage parents to visit and learn about our many exciting programs.

Applications must be submitted by January 18. After that date, applications are taken on a rolling basis, depending on space availability. When school records and teacher recommendations are received, a screening date is scheduled (kindergarten and first grade) or a classroom visit and testing in reading, math and Hebrew (grades 2-6)."

I feel pretty sure that there are children of interfaith marriages at the school. I am not absolutely sure, however. You should ask this question when you request information.

If your child had been biological, he/she would have been Jewish, even under Orthodox law, because you are Jewish; it wouldn't have mattered that your husband was non-Jewish.

But since you have a child by adoption, I don't know whether she has to be converted in a mikvah for the school to consider her Jewish. My daughter went to the mikvah at Adas Israel, which is Conservative, so I never had to deal with this. (We would have had a problem at an Orthodox school, since we used a Conservative mikvah and female rabbis.)

My guess is that the school is open on this topic, since it accepts all Jews, and many Reform rabbis feel that immersion is not necessary, if the family plans to raise an adopted child as a Jew.

The issue might be one of your family's commitment to raise your child as a Jew. However, the school is very liberal about what "raising your child as a Jew" means, so I doubt that it would be a problem.

As an example, the SCHOOL observes Shabbat strictly. It doesn't ask whether you do, and most of the families we know do not. However, it asks that you not give birthday parties on Shabbat if other JDS kids will be invited, since some may not be able to ride, etc.

The school observes Kashrut strictly. It doesn't ask whether you do, and I know that many of the kids eat at McDonald's. However, on days when your child brings a lunch, it must be Kosher and dairy or pareve. And if you bring in cupcakes for a class party, they must be from a recognized Kosher bakery (such as Shalom's or Katz's) or have an acceptable "hechsher" (symbol of Kosher certification). You cannot bring in home-made food for other kids to consume, even if you say your kitchen is Kosher, since not all families have the same standard of Kashrut.

The school closes on all the Jewish holidays when working is not permitted. It doesn't ask whether you go to synagogue. However, at school, there is compulsory participation in t'filah (prayers). As an example, the fifth graders go to the Beit Midrash every day, and read from an all-Hebrew prayerbook.

I think you need to be sure that your HUSBAND will be comfortable with having his child in a Jewish day school. When he comes to school, he will be asked to wear a kippah in the building. There will be times students will invite parents to a prayer service, and the majority of the men will know the prayers. And so on. You need to be sure that he will not feel awkward and left out.

Sharon