S

ome kids go to schools where they learn 
both secular and Jewish subjects throughout 
the day. There are a handful of these 
schools, called Jewish day schools, around Metro 
Detroit. Students at these schools learn Hebrew, 
Jewish studies and more about the Jewish 
holidays as part of their curriculums. Farber 
Hebrew Day School in Southfi
 eld is one of these schools. 
 Naava Shanbaum, 8, of West Bloomfi
 eld, is eagerly 
anticipating seeing her friends and what third grade is all 
about. The Farber Hebrew Day School student will bring 
her new unicorn backpack and school supplies with her 
as she starts the new school year. She’ll also be taking 
her Jewish values such as kindness along for how 
she’ll treat other kids. “I think being kind to each other 
is very important,” she says. 
 Her brother, Noah Shanbaum, 5, will start 
kindergarten at Farber this year. He went to nursery 
there last year and can’t wait to go back. “I want 
school to start right now,” he says. “I’m excited to 
start kindergarten!”

Hebrew Day School in Southfi
 eld is one of these schools. 

Naava 
Shanbaum 
and Noah 
Shanbaum 
(below)

Jewish
Day School

Five Surprising 
School Facts 

1. The world’s oldest school is said to 
be a public school in China that was 
established in 194 CE. That’s a long 
time ago! 

2. Kids in the Netherlands start school 
on their 4th birthday. That means new 
friends join the class all throughout the 
year.

3. In some countries, such as Japan, 
kids help clean their own classrooms 

and school buildings. Grab a mop, 
anyone?

4. In Bangladesh, some kids go to 
school on boats so they can keep 
learning even when waters are high. 
These fl
 oating schools pick kids up 
along the river and pull over to start 
school once everyone’s on board. 

5. Some kids in Colombia travel
to school by zipline, reaching speeds 
of up to 40mph as they fl
 y through 
the rainforest. The walk through the 
rainforest would otherwise take some 
two hours. 

AUGUST 25 • 2022 | 3

