Your third grader walks through the door and you ask the question every parent asks: “What did you learn today?” You get the answer every parent gets: “I don’t know.” Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, a vibrant Reform community on the Upper West Side, and its Religious School are working to retire that exchange for good with a simple conviction: Jewish learning shouldn’t stop when class is over, and parents shouldn’t have to experience it from the sidelines.
Leading that effort is Rabbi Dalia Samansky, who steps into an expanded role this summer as director of congregational learning, overseeing the Religious School alongside adult education. A master educator who ran her first Hebrew school at 21 — becoming the youngest director of education in the country — Samansky describes herself as the daughter and daughter-in-law of four lifelong educators.
“The word rabbi comes from rav — ‘teacher,’” she said. “I want to embody that and help strengthen Jewish learning across the entire congregation. Overseeing both the Religious School and adult education allows me to think more holistically about Jewish learning for the whole family.”
The Religious School remains the hands-on, joyful experience Upper West Side families have come to know. From pre-K through seventh grade, children explore their heritage in an active way — stepping into a simulated Israeli shuk, baking challah, and engaging with Hebrew, art, music and prayer. Parents are part of that journey, joining their children throughout the year for worship, meals and hands-on Family Experiences that extend learning beyond drop-off and pick-up.
For some families, that learning happens right at the kitchen table through Portals, a virtual program for grades three through seven that pairs students with experienced educators for personalized lessons while inviting parents to help shape the process.
By sixth grade, when b’nai mitzvah prep begins in earnest, students work closely with tutors to study Torah text and deepen their Jewish knowledge, while each family works closely with clergy — preparing students to stand before their community as Jewish leaders.
“Seeing our son Ethan and our daughter Sydney on the bimah was quite emotional for us,” said Jill, whose children both attended the Early Childhood Center and Religious School at Stephen Wise. “We are so proud of our children’s accomplishments and their strong identities as Jews and members of the Stephen Wise community.”
To learn more, join Stephen Wise Free Synagogue for an info session or contact the Religious School directly to set up a time to speak with Rabbi Samansky. Families ready to take the next step can begin the process of enrollment or reach the school at school@swfs.org or (212) 877-4050, ext. 230. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
