Welcome to Temple Shaaray Tefila’s Religious School

Our Mission

We strive to help students love being Jewish. Our teachers are role models who show our students what it means to feel special and valued in our community. We believe that children who feel loved at synagogue will grow up to be adults who are drawn to places where Jewish learning and living happen, that they will find joy in the ebb and flow of Jewish holidays, comfort in Jewish spaces when they are in need, and will approach the possibility of raising a Jewish family with intentionality and excitement.

Supporting Our Mission 

• We understand that Religious School is a long term investment in the legacy of your Jewish family. This cannot be measured in charts and tables, or prayers memorized and recited, but rather, in the hearts of our students and in the Jewish life of their family.
• We aim to use the rich and beautiful history and culture of our people to foster a sense of community and belonging.
• We strive to raise young Jewish students who are excited to keep learning and who can’t fathom their lives separately from their Jewish identity.
• We hope to instill an understanding that kindness, patience, grace, and service to others is living Jewishly and that their leadership will frame the next era of synagogue life in America.
• We intentionally create a comfortable space for questions and questioning, so that our kids know they can ask for answers from trusted and learned adults who know about Judaism.
• We work tirelessly to ensure that our school is a safe place for our children, so that when they are in need they will find meaning, hope, trust and love in our holy community.

What does this look like? 

• Joy in Judaism
• Confidence in how to participate in Jewish life: Holidays, Torah, Hebrew, Israel, History, Prayer, and more.
• Comfort in the stories of our past.
• Teachers and Teen TA’s who are role models for our younger students.
• “Temple” friends, to walk through Jewish life with and celebrate milestones together.
• Tikkun Olam, making the world a better place through giving Tzedakah, teaching about social justice issues, and how to take action.
  Project-Based Learning infused in every grade to make each class meaningful and personal.
  

Click below to learn about all of the different options for kids of all ages, 4-18, in Temple Shaaray Tefila’s Religious School & Pathways Teen programming.

To reap all the benefits of our multifaceted program, we encourage parents to enroll children in Kindergarten through 12th Grade, but we welcome students at any point in their Jewish journey. We offer an introductory monthly Sunday PreK program open to both current members and families who are not yet members of Temple Shaaray Tefila for those interested in experiencing what our school has to offer.

Questions? Please do not hesitate to call us in the Religious School office at (212) 535-0912. We look forward to getting to know you and developing relationships with each of you during the year.

Enrollment in Temple Shaaray Tefila Religious School is available to member families in good standing. PreK non-members may join our Monthly PreK class!

If you are not current in any of your Temple financial obligations, we cannot process your registration and we will not hold a spot for your child until you are in good standing. It is our policy that all fees need to be paid prior to the first day of school. Students will not be allowed to start Religious School until full payment is received. If you have any questions about this, please contact Amy Schwach, our Executive Director, by email at aschwach@tstnyc.org or by phone at (212) 535-8225.