Religious School

Religious School

Pre-K through Grade 12

Religious School education at Congregation Shaarey Zedek is an extension of our identity as a warm, loving, and spiritual community.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Our Berman Center for Jewish Education is the hub of our learning programs and Religious School. The Center offers every child an opportunity to learn and play in stimulating surroundings, including the Beit Midrash technology center, the Tikvah Chapel, a spacious Youth Lounge, a great Maker’s Space, an outdoor playground, and state-of the-art classrooms. Our classrooms all offer portable laptop computers, smart boards, and a vast library of treasured books.

Kavanat HaLev – (Jewish Mindfulness Approach to Learning)

Kavanat HaLev is an innovative approach to navigating our sacred text and beliefs, with the goal of encouraging self-awareness through meditation techniques, prayer, music, and guided imagery. Our mindfulness training allows children to recognize T’fillah (Jewish prayer) as a time to focus and become more conscious of themselves and their surroundings. Children are given time to understand and process what each prayer means, teaching them to tune in to Judaism with a new perspective that focuses on empathy, self-care, and communal support.

Family Participation Is Key

Throughout the year, Religious School families participate in interactive educational opportunities that allow parents and caregivers to work alongside their children to actively promote positive growth and their development as members of the Jewish community. These amazing experiences include special celebrations of holidays, community tzedakah projects, and field trips to Jewish educational sites across our community.

We embrace all learners and learning styles, personalizing each educational journey to give each child the opportunity to have a positive, nurturing, and enriching religious school experience.

Our Youngest Learners

Congregation Shaarey Zedek is proud to collaborate with the Hillel Early Childhood Center (ECC). Rabbi Aaron Starr plays an active role in this exciting program, including leading Shabbat and Havdalah services for the children and designing meaningful early childhood programs and experiences for Shabbat and holidays.

We also offer a weekly playgroup, Thrilling Thursdays, at the synagogue, and our Gan Katan class (for children ages 3-5) is a wonderful doorway into synagogue learning.

Young Families Chavurah

We have a vibrant community of young families that joyously celebrate Shabbat by participating in our youth services, including Tot Shabbat, our Friday Shabbat Shalom Tots and The Prayground, our Saturday morning family service. And in the summer, weather permitting, there’s playtime outside and Shabbat picnics.

Shaarey Zedek offers more than 100 events a year for families with young children.  Shaarey Zedek is the “place to be” for young Jewish families in Metro Detroit. For more information, follow our Facebook page, or e-mail Devorah at dglanz@shaareyzedek.org or call 248.357.5544.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FAMILY HANDBOOK