Jewish Learning Experience at First Hebrew: Register Kids Now

“It’s not your father’s Hebrew school,” remarks First Hebrew’s Rabbi, Dana Z. Bogatz, commenting on the synagogue’s Jewish Learning Experience (JLE) program for K-7 students. “It’s more like a ‘little schoolhouse where students of different ages and abilities learn at their own pace and from each other by working together in the classroom.”

Two new teachers will be working with Rabbi Dana, as she likes to be called, to differentiate the learning that takes place in the two classrooms to support each child’s capabilities, skills and educational levels, including those with special needs. To improve the Jewish educational experience for every child, Rabbi Dana has begun a one year commitment to the Matan Institute, which provides training and consultations for educational directors. The Institute helps educators facilitate change and inclusion, and adapt to different learning styles.

The JLE program will focus on the Jewish values of kindness and unconditional love. Students will learn how to act on these values and how to incorporate them into the world. Each student will have their own personal track for learning, unfettered by age or ability.

“Embracing diversity, as experienced in the JLE program, is an important life-lesson for our kids,” states Rabbi Dana. “Students will be encouraged to look for the positive in people, and acts of kindness in the classroom will be rewarded.”

Classes begin September 11, but students can join anytime. First Hebrew’s JLE is tuition-free for members; non-members have access to special offers. Families from many surrounding communities in Northern Westchester and nearby Putnam attend this egalitarian, Conservative synagogue which has been generating pride in Jewish heritage for over one hundred years.

First Hebrew is located on the border of Cortlandt and Peekskill, just west of Beach Shopping Center, at 1821 Main St. (Route 6.) For information call 914-739-0500 or email [email protected]. Visit www.firsthebrew.org to learn more about the First Hebrew community.