
Creating Jewish memories, cultivating Jewish identty, and building community through experiential education.
GESHER SCHOOL AGES 3—13
- Gesher Sundays — all grades
- Meets two or three times per month at the JCC
- Takes place from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Begins with a parent-child kehillah welcome, song session, and informal education session from 9:00 a.m.– 9:30 a.m.
- Includes grade-level classes and social opportunities for students from 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Class sizes are small, typically fewer than 10 students
- Led by experienced teachers with the support of teen madrichim (teaching assistants)
- Curriculum topics include:
- Torah and Biblical narratives with commentary
- Jewish values
- Jewish history
- Holidays
- Jewish music
- Social Action
- Hebrew — 2nd through 7th grade
- Reading fluency
- Key vocabulary and Hebrew roots
- Prayer literacy
- Torah trope (chanting)
- Prayer/service leadership
- Note: Students who are new, need extra support, or need an additional challenge receive one-on-one lessons both during and after Gesher
- Gesher for 6th and 7th grade
- Additional hour-long learning for 6th and 7th graders
- Focus on Jewish values and preparing for b'nei mitzvah
- In person and zoom options available
- Gesher for parents
- All parents are members of the Parent Connection, which includes social opportunities and supporting Gesher
- Monthly opportunities for educational, social, or social justice programming for parents during Gesher
- Gesher for families
- Four Saturday Shabbat B'Yachad (together as a family) programs per year
- One or two Friday nights per year (on the Friday(s) that your child's class helps lead the service)
- We encourage Gesher families to participate in other Dor Hadash programming, especially holiday celebrations, b'nei mitzvah, and social action programs