We would be very pleased to meet with you or speak with you by telephone to discuss our curriculum and approach or to answer any questions you may have. Please call the synagogue office on Sundays between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm or Monday through Thursday between 9:00 am and 5 pm to arrange an appointment or speak with:
Click HERE for the calendar for the 2012-2013 school year.
Would you like to learn about what is happening in our Religious School? Click HERE to find out.
Please see our Early Childhood Program (ECP) for information about our daily Nursery School.
Weekly Schedule of Classes
l Pre-school: "MazelTots" for 3 year olds with an adult meets 5 Sundays throughout the year
“Club Katan” for 4 year olds meets once a month on Sundays, 10:15 am – 11:45 am
l K – 2nd Grade: Sundays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
l 3rd– 5th Grade: Sundays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and Wednesdays, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
l 6th – 7th Grade: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Shabbat School, Saturdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
l 8th – 12th Grade: We serve as a campus of the Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies (BCHSJS) on Mondays, 6:45 pm - 9:10 pm
Our Approach
We believe that the goal of a Jewish education is not just acquiring knowledge but also developing a love of all things Jewish. For this to happen, students must find their experience in the school and synagogue irresistible. To attain our goals, we have outstanding teachers who stress the hands-on, active engagement of students in the study and practice of Torah, prayers and blessings, holidays, ritual and interpersonal mitzvot, Tikkun Olam/Social Action, Israel, and prayerbook Hebrew.
Our classes are small communities, part of the larger communities of the school, synagogue, and beyond. This both enriches the students’ experience in school and helps to prepare them for adult lives as active and involved Jews. The school and synagogue are integrated in many ways, through Shabbat and holiday celebrations, social action, adult education and family programs. Rabbi Shull and Cantor Biddelman are highly involved in the school. The Early Childhood Program, the Sisterhood and the Men’s Club all work together with the school on programs and projects. Many of our special programs are congregation-wide, so that the generations are able to meet and interact.
Jewish Education is a family affair. Outstanding Family programs take place throughout the year for individual classes and the entire school both in addition to and as part of our regular school program. Parents and children love studying and participating in activities together. These programs reinforce the children’s education and also create “Jewish Quality Time” for our families. Younger siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles . . . all are welcome to join us in these programs.
Shabbat Services
Each class prepares and participates in at least one Shabbat family service and meal during the year. K - 2nd students and their families are invited to "Minyan Katan" ("little minyan") on Shabbat mornings, featuring singing, games, puppets, role plays and other enjoyable activities. Junior Congregation on Shabbat is an essential component of our elementary school program. Although it is offered every week throughout the school year, the minimum requirement for 3rd - 4th grade students is at least 6 services during the school year, 5th grade students attend at least 10 services, and the 6th grade meets at least 20 times during the school year. (The 7th grade students are attending services celebrating their classmates' becoming b'nai mitzvah virtually every Shabbat.) 3rd - 5th grade students may attend Junior Congregation on Shabbat mornings and/or services in the main Sanctuary on Friday evenings, while 6th grade students attend their own Junior Congregation service on Shabbat mornings and then join the adult congregation for the conclusion of the service. Parents are encouraged to join their children in all of these programs and in the main Sanctuary.
Academic Assistance – The CHAI Program
Temple Emanuel Religious School offers assistance to students with a variety of special needs through pull-out programs, additional tutoring, or individual or small group instruction. Our CHAI teacher is certified in Special Education by NY and NJ and we also have several experienced tutors. Participation in the CHAI program is determined in consultation with the Director of Congregational Education. There is no additional charge for this service. The CHAI program is partially funded by a grant from UJA Federation of Northern New Jersey and is open to the wider community.
This monthly program is available at no charge to Temple Emanuel members and non-members alike for 4-year-old children who will be entering kindergarten in the fall. Through storytelling, crafts, games, and music, the children are engaged in a delightful program of learning about our holidays, prayers, interpersonal mitzvot, and Israel. Please click above for the registration form.