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Our Staff
Our teachers are chosen for their positive joyous approach to Judaism. We strive to make Religious School an engaging, hands-on and exciting experience for our students. Our educators are aware of the awesome responsibility they hold in building our children’s sense of Jewish identity. They take this responsibility seriously and cherish the opportunity to work with the leaders of our future Jewish community.
Our Programs
Our Religious School programming is innovative and unique. We understand that different children learn in different ways, so the religious education that we provide for our students takes one of two very different paths: Religious School – our Sunday-only classroom-based program, or An Adventure in Jewish Education – an alternative approach to religious learning.
Religious School: Classroom Program
Our traditional Religious School program takes place in classroom groups each Sunday. Both Hebrew and Judaica are taught in this setting and students interact with their teachers, Rabbi Rachlis, and Cantor Braier. These students also receive the benefits of music, cooking, science, history, literature, and art specialists whose lessons are closely woven into the framework of our curriculum.
Hebrew skills are taught using a spiral curriculum culminating in familiarity with the Shabbat service, and building basic conversational Hebrew skills. Our state-of-the-art language lab is stocked with wonderful Hebrew software, which not only builds vocabulary and conversational skills but provides an opportunity for students to take their Hebrew knowledge to the next level.
An Adventure in Jewish Learning
Is it Religious School? Is it Camp? It’s Both! Introducing a unique monthly Religious School in a Camp setting. An Adventure in Jewish Education (AJE) weaves Jewish learning and Hebrew into an all day, once a month, active outdoor experience.
While students play at camp, they learn the traditional values of Judaism and grow their Hebrew skills. Students will become familiar with our prayers and their melodies, learn about and enhance their Jewish identity, and integrate our all important Jewish values into their lives.
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Discuss the wisdom of the Sages around a campfire
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Discover the thrill of the Promised Land at the other side of the zipline
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Climb the Tower of Babel on the high ropes
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Practice archery after learning about the Maccabees
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Re-enact the parting of the sea in our heated swimming pool
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and more!
Hebrew skills are grown on an individualized basis allowing families to choose between one of three options, based upon convenience. AJE runs from September to May, one Sunday a month from 9am – 4pm. It’s held at the state-of-the-art Irvine Ranch Outdoor Educational Center, and is taught exclusively by our own University Synagogue teachers and counselors.
Space is Limited! To learn more about this new, unique program, call our Director of Education, Sue Penn at 949-553-3535.
Select the Option that Works Best for Your Child
When deciding which program is best for your child, it is important to consider each individual student. Some students thrive in a structured environment, filled with friends their own age and facilitated by the same teacher. Others prefer a dynamic environment filled with hands-on learning experiences, exposure to the outdoors, and making friends with children of all ages.
If you would like to discuss our exciting programs and determine which one might be the best fit for your child, Sue Penn, our Religious School Director, invites you to come and meet with her. Together you can make an informed decision about which would be the best placement for your student. Children have the option to move between programs at the start of each year. To set a meeting with Sue, contact her at spenn@universitysynagogue.org or call 949-553-3535.
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