Religious School

Inspiring the Next Generation of Confident, Connected, Creative Jewish Leaders   Serving students in Pre-K through Grade 12

REGISTER NOW   |   SEE OUR OFFERINGS FOR 2025-2026   |   CONNECT WITH RACHEL COHN, DYEE

Who We Are:

At the Temple Emanu-El Religious School, we craft a supportive, inclusive environment in which students feel that they are coming to their home away from home.  Inspired by Jewish texts and Jewish values, we guide students to bring their full selves to our community:

• B'khol levavchah (with your whole heart):  We build empathy and kindness for each other, rooted in the belief that we are all created in the image of God - b'tzelem E-lohim
• B'khol nafshechah (with all your spirit):  We ask big questions and support each other in new, brave endeavors in joyful and challenging times (and everything in between!)
• Uv'khol m'odechah (and with all your strength):  We value young people as Jewish creators and thinkers.  Students become active participants in their learning through art, music, "Hebrew through Sports" movement activities, and more. 

Our students say:

• "Being Jewish means thinking about the bigger picture...trying to become the best version of myself" (7th grade student)
• "Judaism means being a part of something bigger than just me" (7th grade student) 
• "Judaism means praying, praising, and blessing. It means participating in events that are fun, but also help tie you to the Jewish religion and connecting you, helping you feel like you belong" (7th grade student)

At Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School, we provide:

• Welcoming classrooms
• Makers Lab creative art space (used each week by our Sunday School students)
• Parent learning & social opportunities
• 1st year tuition for one student included for new members

What Students Learn:

• Pre-K / Kindergarten: Jewish values & holidays
  • 1st & 2nd grade: Beginning Torah stories (creation, Shabbat, Noah's Ark, Tower of Babbel), holidays, and b'rachot for food 
  • 3rd grade: Jews around the world, Matriarchs & Patriarchs in the Torah
  • 4th & 5th grade: The book of Exodus, the Jewish Bookshelf part 1 (foundational Jewish texts)
  • 6th grade: Jewish history, how to write a d'var Torah (your own commentary on the Torah portion), "Text study track": intro to Mishna
  • 7th grade: Moral dilemmas, the Jewish Bookshelf part 2 (taking a closer look at Talmud)

Hebrew Curriculum:

• Partnership with Hebrew at the Center for increased Hebrew infusion across all grade levels
• Tuesday afternoon Hebrew electives:  Jewish music (students learn holiday music and additional Hebrew vocabulary through song), Hebrew through Sports (students practice modern Hebrew with words they would use in everyday sports games)
• Pre-K - K: Familiarity with colors, numbers, and greetings in Hebrew
• 1st & 2nd grade: Introduction to Hebrew letters
• 3rd grade: Hebrew decoding instruction begins on Tuesday afternoons; students learn to decode Hebrew letters and vowels
• 4th - 5th grade: Students use Hebrew in Harmony curriculum to read, understand, and connect with central prayers in Jewish liturgy
• 6th grade: Students practice reading and leading prayers in a supportive group setting as part of their b'nei mitzvah preparation.  
• 7th grade: As students approach their b'nei mitzvah, students shift towards modern Hebrew and/or reading traditional Jewish texts in Hebrew, depending on student and family interests

Offerings 2025-2026:

Early Childhood

• Parparim: Playgroup for 2-3 year olds & adults, once a month on Sundays, 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
• CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARPARIM

Pre-K (turning 4 by January 2026) - Grade 2

• Sunday Mornings: 9:30AM-12:30PM

Grades 3-6

• Sunday Mornings: 9:30AM-12:30PM
• Tuesday afternoons in person: 4:30-6:30PM OR Online Hebrew Wednesday or Thursday Afternoons (coordinated through teacher)
• Saturday morning option (10 am - 12 pm) is also available for 4th grade and up; contact Rachel Cohn for details.

Grade 7

• Saturdays: 10:00AM-12:00PM
• Tuesday afternoons in person: 4:30-6:30PM OR Online Hebrew Wednesday or Thursday Afternoons (coordinated through teacher)
• Sunday morning option is also available for 7th graders; contact Rachel Cohn for details

Teen Learning

• Grades 8-12: "Mitzvah Mensches" Volunteering & Service Learning. Opportunities about once a month.  Stay tuned for 2025-26 dates. 
• Grades 8-12: Modern Hebrew based on your interests and experience.
• Grades 6-12:  Community Beit Midrash.  Text study-based classes in partnership with local synagogues. Wednesday & Saturday afternoons. 

Resources: