Religious School

After much deliberation and consulting with local and state public health guidelines and medical experts, we have decided that our best course of action during this COVID-19 pandemic is to start the 5781 school year with a virtual curriculum. In due time, once we are able to do so safely, we will all return to our in-person gathering formats. Until then, our mission is to make sure that our students are learning in a comfortable environment. Right now, that is in the safety of their own homes.

This year, our school will be using ShalomLearning’s values-based Judaics curriculum and Hebrew program in grades K-7.  This award-winning program was developed by a team of Jewish and secular educators and curriculum developers. Our school is among 120 partner synagogues making Jewish education more engaging and relevant for our students.

Our new Jewish Values-based curriculum meshes well with Temple Emanu-El’s mission; to build a vibrant community through Reform Judaism. We teach our students through the behavior we model. We inspire, engage and cultivate our students’ desire to do good in the world.

The ShalomLearning values-based curriculum explores seven Jewish values and their relevance in our everyday lives. Students will learn to use Jewish culture, holidays, text, history, and traditions to make responsible decisions and build positive relationships. Using the ShalomLearning Hebrew program, we will teach your children to read Hebrew, chant prayers, and understand their meaning. At home, students can log into the ShalomLearning portal to practice reading and prayers. 

Learning together in a virtual classroom, students will see and interact with each other in a real-time, teacher-led class.  By being able to log in from home (or anywhere), students understand that learning and Judaism happens everywhere, not just in the Religious School.

For more information about ShalomLearning, go to www.shalomlearning.org.  If you have questions about how our school is implementing the program please contact: TERS Co-Directors Armi Rowe at (860) 460-3047 or Jennifer Zettler at (860) 287-5832. We look forward to a wonderful new school year and a productive partnership with ShalomLearning.