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. Religious School Director Honor Edmands can be reached at community@adathisraelct.org.
- Mazel Tots (Infant-PreK): Sundays 10:30AM-12:00PM
- Kindergarten – 7th Grade: Sundays 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
- 3rd Grade – 7th Grade: Wednesdays 4:00 PM -6:00 PM
- Post B’nei Mitzvah Class: 4th Sunday of each month
OUR COMMITMENT
Our Religious School is tuition-free! We are thrilled to be able to offer Jewish education at no charge to member families. Not a member, but interested in enrolling? Welcome! We are happy to talk with prospective families about our affordable membership rates. Our school is home to close to 30 students ranging in ages from preschool to high school, and many of our teachers are from Wesleyan University. The Mazel Tots program is also free, and a wonderful opportunity for Jewish preschoolers and their parents to get together and play, learn, and of course, schmooze.
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!
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 (“Parent & Me” style, infant – PreK) drop-in program offering hands on Jewish experiences. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Jewish families from the area. Attend only the sessions you want. Younger siblings welcome.
Early Grades (K – 2nd) 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 (3rd – 7th) 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?”.
B’nei Mitzvah The B’nei Mitzvah experience is tailored to the skills and interests of each child and family. Because Torah and Haftorah 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.
Post B’nei Mitzvah (8th – 12th) Students will deepen their knowledge of Jewish theology as well as their understanding of the prayers. This once-monthly session allows for connection with peers and spiritual leaders.
Please contact Honor Edmands, Religious School Director, at community@adathisraelct.org
Education Director
Honor Edmands hails from the mountains of Northern Nevada where she grew up off-grid, exploring the outdoors and participating in a vibrant Jewish community. As a teen she was an active member of the Nevada Interfaith Youth Core, where she planned and executed a successful Interfaith Youth Summit. She also completed the Changemakers Fellowship, a program for Jewish leaders. She holds a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Oceanography, and she loves all things nature. She brings 5 years of religious school teaching experience, as well as a passion for social media, marketing, and building meaningful relationships. Outside of work, she enjoys playing and coaching volleyball, reading, and going on adventures. She looks forward to helping Adath Israel nurture and grow our Jewish community guided by its mission and vision for the future, in touch with its values, and aligned through each generation.
You can contact Honor at community@adathisraelct.org.