Religious School

Our religious school is committed to creating the next generation of vital members of the Jewish community.

The Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Religious School instructs students, Pre–K through twelfth grade, in four core areas: Torah, study; Avodah, prayer; G'milut Chasidim, deeds of lovingkindness; and Am Yisrael, Jewish peoplehood. There is a dedicated teacher for each class and regular involvement with clergy and tutors.

Our innovative kesher (connection) program for families with children Pre–K through 2nd Grade, welcomes all children and their parents to participate in Family Shabbat Morning Services; then parents and enrolled students move on to activities that enlighten and strengthen their connection to Judaism and to each other.

SWFS students learn Hebrew and read directly from the Torah; they fully participate in Shabbat and holiday Services and celebrations. They understand the moral, ethical, and theological obligations and teachings of Judaism as well as its history. They relate to Israel as the Jewish homeland and are ready to pursue adult lives as knowledgeable and active Jews. With a choice of attending weekends or weekdays, all religious school students explore sacred text, Israel, Jewish history, Hebrew and prayer. Junior choir, music, dance, art and drama enable students to experience Judaism through all senses and a broad range of activities.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah training is training for life as an adult Jew.

Confirmation, for post Bar/Bat Mitzvah age through tenth grade students, culminates in a moving student–led Service during which each student express their personal connection to Judaism. High school students explore Judaism from new points of view as they prepare for increasingly independent lives in the secular world. Our active, creative youth group, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism's North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), provides a strong, positive connection to our heritage through informal educational, social justice and social activities. A college connection program keeps SWFS in touch throughout the school year with students away from home.

Enrollment

Every family must hold membership in the synagogue and every child must be registered in order to attend Religious School. Forms are sent to parents during the Spring. These forms should be returned to the Religious School office as quickly as possible.

Students who are new to the school will be placed in the grade concurrent with their secular school grade. Parents and their children should make an appointment with the Director of Jewish Learning, Evita Sokol, to discuss the school’s programs and plans for each student.

If you have a concern about fees, please discuss this in confidence with Evita Sokol or with the synagogue’s executive director, Ann Targownik .