Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester: Religious Education

Religious School Programs

Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.
Deuteronomy, 6

A Source of Creative Education

Led and directed by our dynamic educator, Marcie Aiuvalasit, the religious school is a place of creative teaching using a curriculum that inspires our children to develop an awareness of Judaism in an enjoyable and fun filled setting.

Using the latest in technology, as well as the tried and true methods of pedagogy, our teaching staff motivates our children in the challenges of a dynamic religious heritage. Whether the subject is Hebrew, history, the Bible, holidays or customs and ceremonies our teaching staff seeks creative and innovative ways to present the subject matter. Techniques ranging from computers to field trips and retreats, supplement the normal classroom experience.

At Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester our religious school program is designed to involve students and their families in Jewish education from pre-school through twelfth grade. There are approximately 300 students enrolled in our religious school. Average class size is 15-18 students.

Effective Jewish education involves a partnership between home and school. Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote that the goal of Jewish education is: "...to give form, purpose, meaning, direction, and depth to what may be regarded as one of the ideals of general education, namely, the fullest possible development of the individual."

You are welcome to come and visit our school. To schedule an appointment, or for more information, contact Marcie Aiuvalasit, Educator, or her secretary Jo-Ann Tamilio.

Our religious school programs include:

Temple Tots (Ages 3 1/2 to 5 years old) - a pre-school enrichment class.

Kindergarten - a holiday based program that meets six times a year.

Religious School (Grades 1 through 7) - designed to contribute to the fullest possible development of each of our students.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program - a beautiful ceremony in the life cycle continuum.

Choir (Grades 2 through 7) - Music with Cantor Stone.

Confirmation (Monday Night) Program (Grades 8, 9, & 10) - designed to address the conceptual aspects of who we are as a people and the particular role of the Jew in the twenty-first century.

Washington, DC Trip (Grade 9) - Three day political action seminar and lobbying experience sponsored by the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism.

Gesher-Le-Kesher (Grades 11 & 12) - meaning "Bridge The Connection," uses peer-coaching strategies to develop leadership skills among our post-confirmands.

For more information about Religious School registration (open to all members of the Temple) contact the Temple office.