Youth Education - Congregation Sherith Israel

Curiosity  —  Kindness  —  Jewish Identity

Registration for the 2021–2022 academic year will open soon—

If you have any questions, please contact Rabbi Abby Phelps at aphelps@sherithisrael.org.

A studio is a space for creative expression and collaboration.  In our Studio @ Sherith Israel, we guide children and teens through playfully exploring their Jewish heritage and helping each other build Jewish selves and our collective Jewish future.

We help youth grow in:

• Curiosity (סַקְרָנוּת), by encouraging students to ask questions, propose their own answers and pursue their interests through projects they choose and share with our community.

• Kindness (חֶסֶד), by continually assessing and addressing student needs, encouraging students to care for themselves and each other and modeling kindness in all our interactions.

• Jewish identity (זֶהוּת יְהוּדִית), by exposing students to the richness and diversity of Jewish history, thought and culture, including Hebrew and other Jewish languages, and inviting students to find their place in the Jewish narrative.

For our youth, Sherith Israel is truly a home away from home. It is the place where they come to seek support and find meaning in a complicated world. A joyful, accessible, relevant Judaism will guide them into adulthood.  Studio @ Sherith Israel will set them on this path.

Check out our intro year program: enjoy one trial year of synagogue membership plus enrollment for all children in your household in grades PK–5 for $1500. We know you'll love it so much you'll want to stay a part of our community!

Preschool to Grade 5

Our students learn core values through age-level experiences including opportunities for family learning, worship and the arts. Introduction to spiritual Hebrew is an integral part of the learning, focusing on developing a working vocabulary of key Hebrew words and phrases through activities, music and study.

NEW, for members only (login required): view the PK/K blog here, the 1/2 blog here and the 3/4/5 blog here!

Grade 6 — B. Mitzvah Boot Camp

Students and parents study with our clergy throughout the year and with their teachers and classmates in traditional and non-traditional ways. This outstanding program guides families through a tour of the Torah, as well as the traditional mitzvot pertaining to and incumbent upon young Jews reaching this lifecycle milestone.

NEW, for members only (login required): view the 6th grade blog here!

Grade 7 — The B. Mitzvah Journey Continues

Students explore their emerging roles as full members of the Jewish community, learning more about opportunities for Jewish service, living and learning as they continue honing their Hebrew and prayer skills and celebrating at each other's b. mitzvah ceremonies.

Grade 8–9

Teens study Jewish ethics, spirituality, the Holocaust and the modern state of Israel with our teen educator Kaitlin Wahl.

Grades 10‒12

Teens examine Jewish texts, participate in social action, and build kehilah kedoshah—sacred community. Our curriculum is student-centered and issue-driven and teaches our teenagers to use Jewish values in their everyday lives.

Confirmation

We will offer Confirmation this year for any student in grades 10‒12 who has not yet been confirmed. The Confirmation group will meet throughout the school year to study Jewish thought and ethics and reflect deeply upon what Judaism means to them. Our Confirmation ceremony will take place during services on the Friday evening at the close of Shavuot, on May 14, 2021.

Madrichim Program

Teens who are interested in developing teaching and leadership skills by becoming madrichim, guides for younger students, can join this program to receive structured training and practical  experience. Contact Natalie Weizman for more information.