Hebrew School

At Bnai Israel we offer a welcoming youth programming where children can engage and learn about the Jewish culture, heritage and religion.  From birth through high school graduation, the youth programs are inclusive of children from all types of jewish families. From social to education to community service to the arts, children, teens and families connect to the synagogue and Judaism in ways that best fit their personalities and schedule. 

We educate our young people in our texts and traditions to ensure a lively Jewish future for our people. The V'ahavta commands us: “V’shinan’tam L’vanekha, You shall teach them diligently to your children.” It is not enough, however, to simply impart text and tradition without meaning, context and connection to the world in which we live. A successful Jewish education must inspire, excite, challenge and delight the hearts and minds of our students. It must be relevant and authentic. We strive to make Judaism the lens through which each student can navigate through life and grow to be an engaged Jewish adult. 

Our engaging and child centered approach to Jewish learning provides a dynamic environment where Jewish education is joyous, fun, inspiring and spiritual. Our learning takes place inside our synagogue and our greater community. Traditional classroom learning is balanced with experiential learning, using music, art, nature, literature, and project based learning in order to deepen students’ understanding of our Jewish traditions, values and practices. 

We invite you and your child to take a fulfilling Jewish journey and discover learning that begins in this building and expands outward into your homes, our community and the world beyond. We will also journey within ourselves as we delve into the heart of what it means to center our lives around strong Jewish Values.

TOT Program (ages Newborn to 5)

Introduce your child to a love of Jewish traditions through music and stories in a fun interactive environment from birth to five years old. A community of families with young children come together for a celebration of holidays, festivals, and overall cultural fun! 

This is an introductory program that offers our youngest learners their first taste of a Jewish classroom setting. Participating in Tot's is a great way for the entire family to make life long Jewish friends, get to know clergy and teachers, and become part of the synagogue community!

Hebrew High School Program (8th Grade - 12th Grade)

The High School Program celebrates young adult Jewish living, and prepares high school students for the challenges that await them as Jews on college campuses, and into the future. This program is an offering of additional religious study opportunities and social activities beyond traditional Bar/Bat Mitzvah study preparation. The classes are offered as a ‘cafeteria-style’ program, offering both flexibility and meaning for today’s busy teens. 

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• What a great time the kids - and the adults(!) had on May 16th. Another school year finished!!
• Which one was the most fun?? Making ice cream? Cooking blintzes?  Papercrafting flowers? Putting on a play?
• It was the adults who had the most fun! Watching their kids and grandkids enjoying these projects and being actors in a play about the giving of the Torah.  The grownups also got to spend time with Amy Ripps, our lead teacher, discussing Shavuot and the Book of Ruth.
• Thank you to Amy for such a fantastic program and to teachers Sasha Freedland and Grace Gleason for joining us to mark the beginning of summer!  See you next year!!