About Kehillah – Religious School
Kehillah is Different!
Kehillah, our Reconstructionist learning community for tots through teens, provides engaging and meaningful educational opportunities and experiences for students of all ages. Kehillah encourages curiosity and exploration to keep Judaism relevant and alive. We foster a devotion to lifelong learning from the beginning as learners share their wisdom and creativity with the greater JRC community.
To learn more about our community or to arrange a visit, contact Director of Education Lauren Reeves at lreeves@jrctogether.org or 847-328-7678.
Kehillah Shabbat Program
Saturday mornings at JRC combine observance, learning, and community. While our Pre-K through 6th graders have regularly scheduled learning, our 7th graders can be found attending the Brit Mitzvah services of their peers along with congregants of all ages. Kehillah supports learners of all abilities in cultivating joy, curiosity, and resilience through exploration of sacred practices and values. Our Shabbat-based program is infused with a joyful spirit, allowing us to experience Shabbat together as a multi-generational community.
Learning Through a Reconstructionist Lens
Judaism is rooted in ancient traditions, practices, and texts and just like its people has adapted and evolved- reconstructed if you will- to support and enhance our lives today. We balance the connection to our Jewish past with the demands and challenges we continue to face. Reconstructionist Judaism provides a progressive, egalitarian, creative, and safe space so our students can engage authentically, resulting in a deeper connection to their Judaism, skills to continue their exploration, and a foundation that supports them as they find their place in the world.
Early Childhood Programming
Kehillah is for the littlest learners, too! We are committed to offering year-long opportunities for families with young children to build connections and community. Programs include weekly Adult-Tot groups, drop-off Kehillah classes for 3-5 year olds, Tot Shabbat, and intergenerational and family programs focused around holidays. Learn more about JRC’s programming for families with young children!
Learning at Kehillah
Learners connect more deeply to Judaism through active, hands-on exploration and reflection. Our curriculum encourages learners to take on challenging questions and concepts and to share their views and understanding with their peers. 4th – 6th graders learn how to read Hebrew in 1-on-1 30-minute Hebrew lessons each week. This individualized approach allows Hebrew learning to be tailored to each child’s unique learning style and readiness, and to each family’s schedule. Click here to read more about our Hebrew curriculum. Click here to learn more about our Hebrew program.
7th Grade - Embracing Jewish Identity through B'nai/Brit Mitzvah
Photo credit Susan Ryan Kalina Photography
Our 7th graders gather on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings to explore their Jewish identities and values through Torah reading, D’var writing, social justice activities and discussion, and Hebrew. Preparing for this life-cycle event allows each student to take ownership of their process and how their connection to Judaism will be shared.
Derech - Post B'nai Mitzvah Program
JRC’s teen community for 8th – 12th graders empowers our young Jewish adult learners to explore leadership in our community and continue to create connections between their passions and interests and their Jewish identity. Affinity-based activities such as teen social justice travel, Tzelem- LGBTQIA+ Jewish identity exploration group, and madrichim leader training create opportunities to see other parts of their lives through a Jewish lens.
Inclusion and Antiracism
JRC strives to be an antiracist congregation and our teachers are educated and trained so that our students embrace and welcome the breadth of Jewish experience. Additionally, Kehillah supports learners of all ages and abilities in cultivating joy and acceptance by teaching and exploring our sacred and values-based practices. We want our students to bring their whole selves to JRC. We acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate the fullness of gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, racial identity, multi-faith families, and Jewish observance and upbringing. Our talented group of teachers and clergy are supported by our professional inclusion coordinator who collaborates with parents, students, and staff and actively supports all learners.
Kehillah for the Whole Family
There is something for everyone at Kehillah! On Shabbat morning we gather as a community to learn, to schmooze, to pray, and to “do Jewish* together. Our building is buzzing with activity. As students head to their classrooms, community members and visitors attend services in our main sanctuary or Minyan in our small chapel. Folks are baking, meditating, attending speaker-led events on issues ranging from Gun Violence Protection to Reparations, or simply having coffee at our weekly Brewchim Ha’baim Coffee Lounge. Once a month the entire family and congregation join together at Chodesh Shabbat for an educational experience and an Oneg -of course, there’s food!