The school year is almost here. Supplies are being bought. Schedules are being set. But what about religious school? If you’re still deciding — or haven’t even started looking — it’s not too late.
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, a vibrant Jewish community on the Upper West Side, is hosting a special Religious School open house on Friday, August 22, at 4:30 p.m. — just in time for the fall semester.
“The best way to become a well-rounded Jewish adult is by starting early —and we have religious school curricula for children as young as four,” said Director of Youth Education, Rabbi Rena Rifkin. “But we never turn away new learners. We’ll take your child in any grade and we’ll find a way to engage them — really engage them in a deep and thoughtful way — with Jewish learning.”
From pre-K through seventh grade, children learn about their Jewish heritage in an active way — whether by stepping into a simulated Israeli shuk, exploring holidays through art and music, or engaging with Hebrew and prayer services. By sixth grade, when it’s time for b’nai mitzvah prep, students work closely with tutors and clergy to deepen their Jewish knowledge, analyze text, and prepare to stand up in front of their community as leaders.
Tori, whose three boys play travel sports, said that, for her family, religious education was a priority. “We’re all busy, but it’s important to carve out time for something that stays with you your entire life, right? Travel hockey will come and go, but Jewish identity, values and traditions are a big part of who we are as a family.”
That sense of belonging lasts well beyond the classroom and bimah — many students return to Stephen Wise as madrichim (teen leaders) or join the teen travel program to stay connected to the community that shaped them.
The open house is the perfect chance to see it all in action: meet the educators, tour the space, and get a feel for the rhythm and spirit of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Religious School program.
Click here to RSVP for the open house — or, to arrange a private meeting, contact the school at school@swfs.org or (212)877-4050, ext. 230. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
