School
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL: The Religious School exists as a Jewish community in miniature within the synagogue. Our goals are to provide a rich learning environment that flows with the Jewish calendar, to build strong and productive relationships between students, families, faculty and clergy through shared experiences, and to lay a foundation of knowledge and skills in Jewish texts and history, ethics and culture, Israel, Hebrew literacy, and religious worship. The Religious School Principal, Anna Elfenbaum can be reached at adathisrael.school@gmail.com.
- Infants through Preschool: Mazel Tots—Sundays at 10:30 AM
- K through 7th Grade—Sundays: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
- 3rd Grade through 7th Grade—Wednesdays: 4:00 PM -6:00 PM
- Confirmation Class—Sundays 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
Our Religious School is home to close to 30 students ranging in ages from 5/6 years old to 15 years, and many of our teachers are from Wesleyan University. We also have a program geared to our preschool age. Mazel Tots is a free program held each Sunday for Jewish preschoolers and their parents to get together and “hangout”, learn, schmooze and play.
OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Adath Israel is home to a vibrant and open Jewish community, welcoming multi-faith and diverse families. Our members come from towns throughout central Connecticut, including Middletown, Cromwell, Portland, Middlefield, Glastonbury, Madison, Durham, Guilford, and Rocky Hill.
GOALS FOR OUR FAMILIES
- Develop a strong Jewish identity
- Demonstrate Jewish values in daily life
- Exhibit a love of Jewish learning
- Appreciate the wonderful diversity of Jewish thought
- Feel comfortable & competent in Jewish ritual & worship services
OUR CURRICULUM
Mazel Tots (Preschool with adult) drop-in program offering hands on Jewish experiences incorporating the Al Galgaleem (Training Wheels) curriculum. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Jewish families from the area. Attend only the sessions you want. Younger siblings welcome.
Early Grades (Kindergarten–Grade 2) Students explore Torah, holidays, values, and Israel through prayer, cooking, stories, crafts, singing, movement & games. Students also learn to read Hebrew and build a core vocabulary of Hebrew words and Jewish concepts.
Upper Grades (Grade 3-Grade 7) Using the foundation laid in the Early Grades, students tackle big questions and the skills that help answer them. Why do we pray? How can we read Torah? What is the right thing to do? Why is Israel important? Where do we come from and what is our history? Most important of all: How can I lead a meaningful Jewish life?
Bar & Bat Mitzvah The Bar & Bat Mitzvah experience is tailored to the skills and interests of each child and family. Because Torah and Haf-torah study begin in 5th grade, students enter their B’nei Mitzvah year well prepared for this important rite of passage. Individualized mitzvah projects allow students hands-on experience applying the Jewish values they’ve learned.
Confirmation (Grades 8 & 9) Students will deepen their knowledge of Jewish theology as well as their understanding of the prayers. They will also work on the skills necessary to prepare them to become Madrichim (pain classroom aides) after they complete Confirmation.
For more information or to enroll your child in religious school, please contact Anna Elfenbaum, principal, at adathisrael.school@gmail.com.