Religious School

Our school is a joyful community grounded in three essential commitments that we seek to nurture in our students of all ages:

—Love for Judaism and the Jewish people (Am Yisrael) 
—Ownership of Torah and Jewish tradition, 
—Belonging to Jewish community and peoplehood.

In partnership with parents, we strive to instill these sensibilities in our students as we foster in them a strong Jewish identity that is at once grounded in and celebrates our ancient tradition while honoring each child’s individuality and ability to find their unique way of connecting with their heritage.

With every age group, we take a student-centered approach, incorporating social-emotional learning, experiential education, and project-based learning; art, movement, music, and other forms of creative expression into our Sunday Judaic instruction. 

Grades 3-7 have the additional benefit of one-to-one Hebrew learning via Hebrew Homepage, an online tutoring portal for individualized instruction in Hebrew decoding and prayer literacy. This Hebrew learning is designed to lay a foundation for lifelong engagement with Jewish ritual beginning in K-7 with our all-school t’fillah, a prayer experience that invites children to explore their own spirituality and continues with preparation for the rite of passage of becoming b’nei mitzvah at 13, opening the door to many more meaningful ritual experiences as they grow and mature.

The core elements of the R.S. program are:

Sunday learning

Kindergarten through 4th grade 9:00 to 11:00am
5th through 7th grade 11:30am to 1:00pm

• grade-level classroom learning and activities for all grades
• musical and spiritual t’fillah for all grades
• music class for K-3 that aligns with classroom learning
• family education programs for parents and students together (one each per year for K-6)

Hebrew Homepage

Individualized online Hebrew instruction through Hebrew Homepage, a program offered in collaboration with the JCC of Manhattan. Students begin with basic Hebrew decoding skills, and eventually progress to prayer literacy, with a particular focus on Shabbat blessings and liturgy. Students meet with tutors for twenty-four 30-minute sessions per year, scheduled by families according to their availability. Registration for HHP typically opens in August, so stay tuned! 

        ***NEW for 3rd Grade!*** HHP has previously been offered to grades 4-7. Thanks to a generous donation, we are able to offer HHP to our third-grade students starting in January, 2025. Third graders will have twelve 30-minute sessions during the second half of the school year.

Shabbat B’Yachad

Our joyful multigenerational Shabbat service and dinner is held monthly. Over the course of the year, Grades 3-6 each have an opportunity to help lead the service as a class cohort. Every Shabbat B’Yachad dinner is open to the entire Sinai community, and for the student-led services, that grade cohort’s families will serve as hosts for the dinner. 

Grades 3-7 Family Retreat

Held at Camp Harlam in the Poconos, this is a special opportunity to gather with Temple friends old and new for a weekend getaway in which families celebrate Shabbat together, share meals, learning, and classic camp activities, while building community and strengthening bonds with family and friends.

For questions about K-7 school programs, contact Rabbi Shira Gluck, Associate Rabbi and Director of Congregational Learning.

If you have any questions about Temple Sinai Membership, contact Farrell Borine Executive Director  (908) 273-4921 ext.116).

For assistance with registration, contact Anna Yezerova, Religious School Administrator (908) 273-4921 X115).