Who: Learners in PK-7
What: A program built to inspire your child’s love of learning and connection to all things Jewish!
Where: Emanu-El Downtown
When: 3:30-5pm
Wednesdays for Learners PreK-7th grade or
Thursdays for Learners in K-2
Fall 2026 Registration:
Grades K-2: $920 for Temple Emanu-El Members & $1,800 for Non-Members*
Grades 3-7: $1200 for Temple Emanu-El Members & $2,400 for Non-Members*
*Please note, Emanu-El Downtown Membership is optional for first-year families in the Religious School Lab. Membership is required for continuing families. To learn more about Emanu-El Downtown Membership, click here.
Culture:
At Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School, we are dedicated to creating a culture of אַהֲבָה — ahava (love) and הַכָּרַת הַטּוֹב — hakarat ha’tov (gratitude) among students, teachers, parents, and community members. Fostering a sense of love and gratitude within our community not only enhances our children’s educational experience, but also strengthens relational bonds, building trust and friendship. Through these Jewish values, we create an environment that promotes kindness, empathy and an appreciation for the many blessings in our lives.
Why:
Our vision is to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive culture of lifelong learning deeply rooted in the Jewish values of learning Torah, exploring spirituality, and practicing lovingkindness. We celebrate diversity, nurture creativity and encourage curiosity, embracing every student’s unique perspectives and experiences. We delight in the joy of Judaism and foster a community suffused with love and gratitude, cultivating each family's passion for Jewish life.
Our Model:
Limmud (Curriculum): Our interactive and inclusive curriculum is designed to help children develop a strong and positive Jewish identity. We believe in the importance of shared values that unite us all, such as using inner strength to make ethical choices and taking accountability for our actions.
At the heart of our learning are four essential questions that guide our students’ growth throughout their time in Religious School: What does Judaism mean to me? What is my Jewish story? How can I leave this community better than I found it? And how can my Jewish story influence the world? These questions encourage students to reflect on their identity, their responsibility to others, and the ways their values can shape both their community and the broader world.
For kindergarten through second grade students, we have designed lessons that engage all five senses, while also incorporating STEAM activities. This multisensory approach allows students to fully immerse themselves in each lesson, making the learning experience more meaningful, memorable, and connected to their own Jewish journeys.
Tefilah (Prayer): Tefilah is an integral part of the Religious School curriculum. Students begin to learn the prayers through music. Among our goals is for students to know Reform liturgy, feel comfortable praying in a variety of Jewish settings, and understand the meaning of traditional prayers. This is also an opportunity for them to connect with each other and with their own sense of spirituality through communal singing and worship.
Ivrit (Hebrew): In grades K-3, our younger students engage in Hebrew Through Movement, a program focused on experiential learning. With the guidance of a trained facilitator, students learn Hebrew by listening to and following commands. For instance, when they hear "la-rutz el ha-delet," they eagerly run towards the door. By introducing this interactive method of language acquisition at an early stage, students become well-acquainted with Hebrew letters, grammar, and structure, which greatly aids their prayer studies later on.
Starting in second grade, students receive weekly 30 minute one-on-one Hebrew tutoring sessions, which take place virtually, removing the stress of the classroom. These sessions are designed to teach students how to decode Hebrew and read with fluency and accuracy. Once students have a grasp on decoding, the curriculum moves into prayer. The program is designed to set our students up for success and can be used in conjunction with b’nei mitzvah tutoring.
Tutors will be able to progress at the appropriate pace for each individual student. Families can select the time throughout the week that best suits their schedule, and many of our tutors can support students with special learning needs. Please be sure to share with the Department of Lifelong Learning if your student requires any accommodations.
Havdalah (Distinction): Havdalah is the brief and beautiful ceremony that helps us move from Shabbat into the beginning of the week. We will be using this ceremony at the beginning of each Religious School session to help students transition from the workday world into a sacred time and space of Jewish religion, history and culture. We welcome parents to participate in havdalah with us, not only to take part in this centering, community ceremony, but also to grow comfortable with this ritual which families can incorporate into their home Jewish practice.
Chugim (Electives): Once a month, students participate in Chugim, a special elective period that allows them to explore Jewish life, culture, and creativity through hands-on experiences. Students choose from a variety of rotating options such as Krav Maga, Art, Theatre, Jewish superheroes and comic books, and more - giving them the opportunity to pursue their interests while connecting with Jewish themes in fun and engaging ways. Chugim brings students together across grades, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and joyful learning within our community.
Family Engagement: Our parents and caregivers play a vital role in our school community, modeling the values we want to instill in our children and the lives we want them to lead. We know many parents in our community want to participate in the Jewish education of their children but also have busy schedules that can make it difficult to free up time during the workday. That’s why we are creating many accessible moments that will enable parents to take part in their children’s Jewish learning.
Emanu-El Makers: Tinker, create, and play while learning all about Jewish holidays and culture. Emanu-El Maker’s is an opportunity for Religious School Lab students to collaborate on projects and a space for kids not enrolled in the Religious School to get a feel for the community. All are welcome!
School Closings:
All school closings such as incases of inclement weather conditions – will be communicated to Religious School families via email; please make sure we have your current email address on file. Or, families may call the Religious School office at 212-507-9541.
Supportive Learning & Inclusion
At Temple Emanu-El, we strive to make our programs accessible to everyone. Our doors are open to anyone who is searching for Jewish community: those with special needs, multifaith family units, members of the LGBTQ+ community, Jews of Color, and others. We strive for accessibility and inclusiveness for those with both visible and invisible disabilities.
Learning Support
We want every student to feel included and supported, which is why we provide resources to tailor the learning experience. In our programs, we are able to implement accommodations in a student’s IEP. We are open to discussing different learning opportunities. For questions about learning support or to address your child’s needs, please email inclusion@emanuelnyc.org.
Inclusion Coordinator
The school has an inclusion coordinator on staff and works with experts in the field to ensure we can meet the needs of all learners. The coordinator also meets with teachers. To this end, the members of the Lifelong Learning team engage in their own professional development to stay updated in the most current practices..
Resources
For more information about how to support your child in their education, we encourage you to review the following resources:
Health and Learning Needs
We aim to support the specific needs of every child in our program, and we strive to create and maintain a healthy environment for all children. If a child has any special health or learning accommodations, then please let us know by speaking with someone in the office or by documenting additional support on the registration form.
All of our school faculty and administration are trained in CPR and the use of an Epi-Pen. School personnel are not permitted to dispense medication to our students. If your student carries an Epi-Pen, please complete the Epi-Pen emergency form.
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Contact
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