Religious School

The Saperstein/Bernstein Religious School celebrates Jewish learning with both Hebrew Language and Judaic Studies components. Steeped in our Reform traditions, students learn the traditional stories of our faith, attempting to instill in our youngest congregants the values that Jews have cherished for thousands of years.

Values: Our Judaic studies classes use a dynamic, values based curriculum that helps students see the connections between their daily life and Jewish tradition and wisdom.  Blending classroom instruction and family engagement with technology support, this curriculum focuses on seven core Jewish values:

Teshuvah (תשובה) Taking Responsibility for Our Actions
B’tzelem Elohim (בצלם אלהים) Honor the Image of God in Ourselves and Others
Gevurah (גבורה) Using Strength to Do What’s Right
Achrayut (אחריות) Making the World a Better Place
Hakarat HaTov (הכרת הטוב) Seeking Joy and Being Grateful
Koach HaDibbur (כוח הדיבור) The Power of Words
Shalom (שלום) Contributing to a More Peaceful World
With each grade, the curriculum shifts to deepen the students’ understanding.

Family
Our program goes beyond engaging the individual student, bringing meaningful and interactive programming for the entire family to participate in the learning process.  Families are led by an education specialist in these programs throughout the year.

Hebrew
Our Hebrew Language program of educators with extensive backgrounds in teaching language skills to children is geared to provide a working reading knowledge of the language so that children and adolescents can carry out the responsibilities of Bar/Bat Mitzvah and carry that knowledge into adulthood.  Students apply their knowledge in our school worship service every Sunday morning, led by Rabbi Sim and Cantor Lauren, and in Family shabbat services.

Our school is open to visitors by appointment. Please email our Religious School Director, Sharon Richman, or call the school office during class hours to arrange a visit for you and your child.

Special Needs Hebrew School
Temple Am Echad is partnered with SULAM-LI to provide a rich educational experience for special needs students. The Hebrew word SULAM means ladder. Just as a ladder enables a person to reach heights that he or she could not reach alone, the SULAM-LI program enables school-age students and young adults with special needs to reach new heights in their Jewish education.  The program meets on Sunday mornings from 10:00AM-12:00PM at the Merrick Jewish Center.

Class Schedule

As a way to come together as a community, all grades start off together in a school-wide worship service led by our Rabbi and Cantor.

Sundays
9:30 am - 10:00 am Worship (all grades)
Grades K-3:
10:00 am - 11:45 am Judaic class & Enrichment (Hebrew/Art/Music/Library)
Grades 4-7:
10:00 am - 11:00 am Judaic class & Enrichment (Art/Music/Library)
11:00 am - 11:45 am Hebrew class

Tuesdays
Grades 4-7:
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm Hebrew class