What is Mercaz Aliyah?
Mercaz Aliyah is our dynamic K-7 supplemental program for Jewish education. It is designed to provide a vibrant quality Jewish education in a manner that is joyful and accessible to each individual student. Mercaz means center, so Mercaz Aliyah means the center of Aliyah. We offer K-7 Jewish studies with the following unique features:
Content-rich subjects, taught by highly trained teachers, that have clear learning goals and incorporate the most up-to-date educational resources.
Low student/teacher ratio and flexible scheduling options.
A caring learning enbironment focused on building community.
Supervised lounge space where students may choose to just hang out, complete homework, or enjoy quiet Jewish games and activities.
Our ovearching philosophy at Mercaz Aliyah is to nurture each of our students as they continually develop a positive sense of identity and understand what it means to:
BELONG to our Kehilla Kedosha (sacred community)
BELIEVE in themselves, in each other, and in the power of something greater than any one of us
BECOME connected to our ongoing history and rich heritage, past, present and future
BUILD a strong hopeful presence in this world through deeds of lovingkindness
We strive to meet the educational needs of each student at every grade level while remaining responsive to the busy lives of parents and families.
Choose your own schedule:
Mercaz Aliyah will be open on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. On weekday afternoons, we will offer transportation for students in Needham Public Schools for an additional fee. Click here to see the daily schedules.
Students in grades 2-7 are expected to attend 4 hours of CORE classes per week: 2 hours on Sunday mornings and 2 hours on a weekday afternoon, Monday or Thursday - your choice! CORE classes are offered by grade level.
In addition, Mercaz Aliyah will offer CHUG add on options that provide exciting Jewish themed enrichment as a companion to our CORE religious school programming.
CHUG (optional/additional) companion hours to our CORE program, allow students to enhance their Jewish Education through enrichment classes and activities. CHUG classes are designed to reach a wide level of interests through advanced Jewish students, Hebrew reading groups, Judaic arts, cooking, youth activities, Hebrew through movement and games, Jewish social skill building and supervised lounge time. CHUG offerings may include students at multi-grade levels and all will be carefully designed to support the interests and goals of all participants.
Weekday CHUG classes are organized as follows:
Grade K/1 NEW Kindergarten After School at TA Needham or KATAN offers an exciting alternative for parents seeking childcare on Thursday afternoons until 5:45 p.m. Bus transportation will be provided for Needham Public School students. Students will receive a warm welcome and healthy snack upon arrival. KATAN staff members will also gently introduce students to Hebrew through movement and active games.
Grades 2-5 students may choose to add CHUG hours on the opposite weekday of their elected CORE afternoon (meaning CHUG option on Mondays for those taking CORE classes on Thursdays and CHUG option on Thursdays for those taking CORE classes on Mondays.) Weekday CHUG will include reading support, Jewish social skills, Hebrew through movement and other media as well as homework help. This offering too provides an exciting alternative for parents seeking a warm safe place for their elementary school schildren until 5:45 p.m.
Grade 6-7 students enrolled in CORE courses on Monday afternoons (2:50-4:45 p.m.)may stay an additional CHUG hour (4:45-5:45)which will consist of supervised time in the Youth Lounge. This CHUG hour offers a real convenience for tose with elementary aged siblings as well as parent needing a later pickup time. On Thursday afternoons, we will offer an early CHUG hour of Advanced Jewish Studies (2:50-3:45). CORE hours on Thursdays will be held later that afternoon from 3:45-4:45. This offering too is designed for parents' convenience.
Ready to enroll?
Please click here to register.
Interested in Contacting our Director?
Please contact our Director of Education, Alisa Levine, at (781) 444-8522.
