Our Religious School

Temple Aliyah’s Religious School is committed to providing a comprehensive Conservative Jewish education in a positive, inclusive and creative environment. In addition to instructing students in the practice of mitzvot, our educational objectives include a sound knowledge of Hebrew and studies in prayer, Torah, history, customs, literature and tradition. This education reflects and transmits Jewish values with the goal of teaching our children to be active participants in all aspects of Jewish life.  We strive to create a next generation of lifelong learners who are eager to remain connected to their synagogue, their community, Israel and other Jews throughout the world.  

At each level of the Religious School curriculum, students build on previous knowledge and experiences. The curriculum emphasizes the acquisition of essential Jewish knowledge, ritual skills, and Hebrew literacy.

Kindergarten and First Grade Classes  

Alef Adventure! - Introducing a weekday class option for students in kindergarten or first grade! Alef Adventure meets on Monday and/or Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. This afternoon enrichment program includes time for outdoor play, music with Cantor G on Mondays, special story time with Rabbi Perkins, and hands-on learning activities. Monday’s program focuses on a literature-based Hebrew curriculum while Wednesday’s program focuses on a tefilah (prayer)-based curriculum. Both days include exploring Jewish holidays, heroes, history, and values, as well as Torah stories and Hebrew language. Kosher snack included.

Tuition for Alef Adventure is $1,250 for one day per week and $2,500 for two days per week. Transportation from the Needham Public Schools to Temple Aliyah is available at an additional cost. Students enrolled in Alef Adventure during the week are encouraged to attend the Gesher Class on Sundays from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. To register and for more information, contact Jennifer Rudin. 

2012- 2013 School Year Information 

Class Schedule

Weekly School Email

*Due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances, the school calendar is subject to change. The weekly school emails will have the latest calendar information.

The Parent Handbook may answer many of your questions about our Religious School. To learn more, please send an e-mail to Jennifer Rudin or contact her through the Temple Office at (781) 444-8522. To reach our School Administrative Assistant, Caroline Nudelman, please send her an e-mail or call the Temple Office.

Special School Programs 

Temple Aliyah’s Religious School is a place of learning and also a place to make Jewish friends and have fun. To accomplish that, we offer a number of special programs for students that extend their Jewish education beyond classroom learning: 

Yom Camp

Temple Aliyah is proud to be part of CJP’s One Happy Camper initiative. Thanks to the generosity of CJP we are able to offer $1000.00 grants to families of religious school students who are attending Jewish overnight camp for the first time. Each year we give students a taste of Jewish summer camp through our Yom Camp program. Students in grades K-7 come together at the same time (9:30 am-12:30 pm) on a Sunday for a morning of camp-like fun.

Creative Arts

On Monday afternoons grades K-5 join Cantor Bogomolni for “Musical Mincha”, a musical tefilah experience in the Chapel. All students in grades Bet and Zayin also participate in an on-site workshop where they make ritual objects to use and treasure.

Swing, Sway, Dance & Pray Family Shabbat Experience (Room 16) 

Betsy White leads an active Shabbat experience for students in the primary grades, accompanied by an adult. This service engages the imaginative minds and active bodies of young daveners through multi-sensory prayer experiences, songs, stories and activities. The service concludes with a mini-Kiddush.

Davening through Storytelling, Drama and Discussion (Room 18)

Mr. Lichtman leads a service that features a new siddur, Siddur Kol Ha-Noar (Voices of Children), and combines prayer, storytelling, creative dramatics and discussion. In this service the emerging curiosity, developing ability to engage in conceptual conversations, and expanding attention span of elementary students allow for a more in-depth exploration of the Shabbat morning liturgy.

Mature Student Daveners (Chapel)

This service combines the ruach of Shabbat at Jewish overnight camp with dynamic discussions based on the parasha hashavuah (weekly Torah portion) and interactive games. Led by Emily Farbman, this service engages maturing students in developing prayer leadership skills, in thinking critically about ethical questions and in creating their own davening community.

Parents are welcome to join their children at any of these services. Whether or not a youth service is scheduled, children are warmly invited to come to synagogue on Shabbat mornings with their parents and to participate and sing along in our dynamic and energetic regular worship service.

Meeting Individual Needs

Temple Aliyah’s Religious School is an inclusive environment, where students with a variety of abilities, learning styles and needs can access a dynamic and engaging Jewish educational experience in an environment that is respectful and supportive of individual differences. If a student has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or receives any accommodation in public school we ask that you share this information with the Director of Education so that we can work with you and the classroom teacher to make any necessary accommodations for your child.

Needham educator Marion Green taught Hebrew reading in our school for many years. All of our educators are trained in Marion Green’s mnemonic system for teaching Hebrew reading. Although originally designed specifically for students with reading challenges, we believe that all students benefit from Marion’s program. Additionally, our educators are trained in The Responsive Classroom Behavior Management Program, the same program used in the Needham Public Schools. This is helpful to students as behavioral expectations, classroom routines and norms of social interactions at public school and religious school share a common language.

All of our classrooms have a Lead Teacher and an Assistant Teacher, Teaching Aide or Madrich (teen assistant). Having two teachers in a classroom allows for individualization of assignments, small group instruction and more personal attention for each student. In addition, this means that students do not need to be taken out of their classroom to receive academic or social support. Instead, our goal is to meet the needs of each student within the classroom environment. For further information, please send an e-mail to Jennifer Rudin or contact her through the Temple office at (781) 444-8522.

Day School Students

Our congregation has over 60 students at area Jewish day schools. We invite these students and their families to participate in our many family and holiday offerings. Of special interest are: Family Education programs, the bar/bat mitzvah preparation program, the 7th grade mitzvah curriculum, Shabbat Youth Services, youth groups, and community offerings.