Religious School

Welcome to the Congregation Etz Hayim Religious School. In our classes, students learn the foundations of Jewish living, including holiday observance and traditions, life cycle events, prayer-based Hebrew and Torah study, history, and ethics. Israeli culture also is an important element of the curriculum. These foundations are further developed through hands-on opportunities to fulfill mitzvot by performing community service, leading services for our students and congregation, and participating in national and international social action efforts.

The effectiveness of the Religious School begins with the skilled and creative teachers on our staff and the active contributions of our clergy. Our program limits the class sizes to ensure a low student-teacher ratio and facilitate active student participation. Tutoring is available for students who need extra assistance.

In addition to the classroom, our active learning includes art, music, and special programs throughout the year. We also explore current events and cultural developments through the prism of Jewish ethics and morality.

For more information, please contact our Director of Jewish Learning and Programming, at school@etzhayim.net.

Enrollment & Calendar

Registration for the 2024-25 school year is now open. If your child has not previously been enrolled in our Religious School, please email us for information and registration.

FAQs

  • The Religious School at Congregation Etz Hayim uses a values-based curriculum to inform and fortify the Jewish identity of our young members. Our students are immersed in a curriculum that educates them in the way of not just being Jewish, but doing Jewish.

    Grade 7 uses the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum that emphasizes Jewish values and body positivity.

    Grades 8-9 provides an opportunity for post-B-Mitzvah students to engage in high-level Jewish learning, contribute to the community through social action and advocacy projects and develop a “Jewish tool kit” to strengthen Jewish identity and prepare for high school and college.

  • Classes meet on Sundays mornings during the school year for all students, Kindergarten through 9th Grade (8th & 9th Grade meet twice a month). Grades 3-7 also meet on Wednesday afternoons.

  • CEHRS welcomes both member and nonmember students to our Religious School. The purpose of this policy is to extend Jewish learning to our community and to introduce families to our congregation. Nonmembers may enroll students in any grade (K-9) for one year at an increased tuition rate. Please see the tuition sheet for more information and spread the word to your friends and neighbors!

  • Your tuition covers most of the expenses of running an excellent Religious School, including teacher salaries, books, online resources (e.g., Zoom, Hebrew materials), supplies, administrative support, field trips (virtual or in-person), and guest speakers. Our congregation is strongly committed to Jewish education and subsidizes the remaining school costs. Finances should not be an obstacle to a Jewish education. We ask that every family commit to some financial contribution but there are financial aid options for members. Please contact our CEH Treasurer (treasurer@etzhayim.net) for more information.

B'nai Mitzvah Planning & FAQs

Mazel tov as you begin planning your child’s Bar/Bat/B’Mitzvah Planning! This section is designed to help you get started and to be a resource for information you need. Happy planning!

  • This depends on how many guests you are having and how many different “activities” you have. For example, you may need someone to serve as a bartender. Additional help for evening parties can be arrange through the office.

  • You can fit 8 chairs comfortably around the circle tables, 10 chairs maximum.

  • Contact office@etzhayim.net for more information.

  • The synagogue provides Sunkist fruit gems for all B’nai Mitzvah. This is the only permissible candy.

  • Cooking typically happens on weekday mornings, and is arranged so as not to interfere with preschool kitchen usage. Please coordinate with the office to schedule all cooking.

  • Assuming it is a regular week and there are no holidays, everything needs to be at the synagogue by 4:00 PM on Friday.

  • The synagogue does not have coffee cups, but we do have approximately 100 wine glasses.

  • You can lay out the room however you can imagine it! Meet with office staff to discuss your plan.

  • Use of the Social Hall is automatically included at no extra cost for all sponsored Kiddushes after Saturday Shabbat services.