Where children are seen, minds are challenged, and a love of Judaism is instilled.
Mazel Day School is a child-centered, value-oriented educational institution dedicated to academic excellence and Jewish heritage.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower our students with the tools they will need as they embark on their life journeys. Enriched by Judaism’s values and wisdom, we cultivate within our students the ability to be good students, good friends, and good people, providing a secure foundation that prepares children to thrive in a complex and changing world.
Our Vision
We created a school out of our beliefs. We believe every child is a seed waiting to be nurtured. We believe in attending to the whole child: mind, heart, and spirit. We believe if children are to grow and thrive, they need the love and warmth of caring adults. Our educational philosophy is shaped by the 5 C’s.
We encourage our students to analyze information, form sound judgments, look at problems in new ways, and link learning across subjects and disciplines.
Our students learn to express themselves clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing, while actively listening to others.
We foster a collaborative learning environment where students work effectively with others, respecting diverse perspectives, and achieving shared goals.
We encourage imagination, exploration, innovation, and invention - trying new approaches to solve problems.
We guide our students to demonstrate integrity, empathy, and responsibility, while contributing positively to the world.
Our History
Founded by F.R.E.E. of Brighton Beach, (a branch of Cong. Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe), Mazel Day School opened in 2002 when a small group of Russian-speaking parents sought a high-quality education rooted in their Jewish heritage.
From that first classroom of eager preschoolers, we’ve grown into a warm, dynamic community that feels like family. Our hallways echo with laughter and learning in three languages: English, Hebrew, and Russian. These voices tell our story – from our Russian roots to the vibrant diversity of our student body today. We remain F.R.E.E. of Brighton Beach’s largest project.
Through challenges like Hurricane Sandy and triumphs like our Blue Ribbon recognition, our community has grown stronger together. Today, with nearly 400 students from Pre-Nursery through Grade 8, MDS is living testimony that a Jewish Day School can breathe new life into South Brooklyn’s Jewish community. We’re still growing, still dreaming, and still nurturing each child’s potential to shine. This was our vision. This is our reality.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that true education runs deeper than books and tests. His wisdom guides Mazel Day School to see the spark in every child and to believe in:
Empowering children with a sense of purpose and competence through hands-on learning.
Building strong character and values as the foundation of all education.
Seeing each child through a lens of love and endless potential.
Fostering a joyful connection between children and their Jewish heritage.
Upholding education as a sacred trust that shapes future generations.
The Rebbe’s impact on American education reached far beyond our community. In 1978, Congress marked his birthday, the 11th of Nissan, as “Education Day U.S.A.” – a tradition each president has honored since. You can read more about “Education Day U.S.A” here.
"Education should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge or preparation for a career. Education should teach a child how to live a better life, not only for the individual but for the advancement of society as a whole. The educational system must therefore pay more attention - indeed, this must be its central focus - to the building of character, with emphasis on moral and ethical values."
Lubavitcher Rebbe, Letter to the Vice President of the United States of America 1979
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
We're proud to be recognized as a 2022 Blue Ribbon School, with our students consistently ranking in the top 10% of national mathematics competitions and qualifying for the National Honor Roll.
We embrace families from all Jewish backgrounds, creating an inclusive community where every child feels at home, regardless of their level of observance.
Our coed private day school was founded in 2002 when Russian-Jewish parents sought to create a school that combined academic rigor with Jewish education.
Beyond core academics, we nurture talents through specialized programs for advanced students, award-winning robotics teams, and rich offerings in arts, STEM, music, and physical education.
60% of students are from Brighton Beach / Manhattan Beach / Sheepshead Bay area, and the remainder from other Brooklyn neighborhoods (including Seagate, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Midwood, and more).
Our students develop fluency in English, Hebrew, and Russian through immersive learning experiences.
Our two campuses - Early Childhood Center in Brighton Beach and Main Campus in Manhattan Beach - make excellent education accessible to families across South Brooklyn.
Parent Testimonials
Walk our sunlit hallways, meet our passionate teachers, and see the joy of learning in action. Schedule a tour to discover how your child can flourish at Mazel Day School.