At PSJC we believe that community and connection are cornerstones of meaningful Jewish education. With hectic schedules and families being pulled in so many directions, we believe that PSJC can serve as a place to meet, learn, celebrate, and act; a community that can remain a home base for your entire family. Students do not just learn about Jewish values, they see how those values impact the spectrum of Jewish practice and living. Our mission is to instill in our children a positive Jewish identity, and a foundation of Jewish literacy, values, and social justice. Parents also play a vital leadership role in our community, coordinating many of our family holiday programs. Whether as class parents, participants in adult education, and as members of the Hebrew School Committee, Jewish education is a lifelong exploration and at PSJC we help our students and their families find access points wherever they are.
We welcome families of all Jewish backgrounds, races, sexual orientation, and family structure to join us on the journey. PSJC's Hebrew School welcomes all children whether or not they meet the halakhic requirements of the Conservative movement and we invite families to consult with our rabbi by the time their children enter fifth grade in order to discuss their child(ren)'s eligibility for Bar/Bat Mitzvah at PSJC. PJSC encourages families to begin as early as our Shorashim (Pre-K) program, but welcomes you throughout your Jewish education journey. Parents may be asked to provide private Hebrew tutoring in order to catch a student up with their class if enrolling in the third grade and beyond, so that your child may obtain the necessary skills to keep up with the class.
Check out our Curriculum Overview for a sense of the topics covered in each grade level. Our teachers make learning come alive through creative use of drama, arts and music, as well as through the celebration of the holidays. Students engage in service projects, field trips, guest speakers, and other special events. We involve the whole family in the learning experience and encourage you to participate in school and PSJC-wide programming throughout the year.
Our curriculum will continue to shift in response to the safety guidelines and educational realities of the age of Covid. We are proud of the learning and community building that took place during the 2020-2021 programming year. We combined Hebrew skill building with the exploration of Jewish values and practices that were relevant to the social-emotional-spiritual needs of our students, and the injustices of the world around us. Whether or not we are together for large gatherings like our annual Chanukkah Party or Purim Carnival, the Hebrew School leadership and parents will continue our tradition of bringing together members of our community in celebration.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please email our Director of Youth Education and Family Programming at aileen.heiman@psjc.org or contact the synagogue office at 718-768-1453 x102.