Religious School is a cornerstone of Temple Sholom

Religious Education at Temple Sholom of Chicago includes: 

• Religious School (Junior Kindergarten-7th Grade) – Sundays 9:30 AM-12:00 PM 
• Midweek Religious School (3rd-7th Grade) – Wednesdays 5:00-6:15 PM 
• 8th Grade – Options to work Sundays and/or Wednesdays as Madrichim (teacher assistants) and more opportunities throughout the year
• 9th-12th Grade – Crown Family High School  (Wednesday evenings) and the option to work Sundays and/or Wednesdays as Madrichim (teacher assistants)

The goals of our Religious School are: 

At Temple Sholom, we strive to provide a joyful and inclusive Jewish education, fostering a learner-centered environment where students from preschool through high school can embrace their identity and heritage. Our mission is to cultivate a love of Torah, pride in Jewish history, and a connection to the Jewish People. By exploring personal beliefs, mastering Hebrew, and engaging with Israel, we guide students toward leading prayer with confidence and becoming ethical individuals committed to social justice. Our educational journey is designed to build strong communal ties, inspire a lifelong pursuit of learning, and encourage living a fulfilling Jewish life.

Questions? Contact lorikramer@sholomchicago.org or 773-435-1544 

Temple Sholom Religious School Overview  

Children of member families are eligible to enroll in Religious School, which begins in September and runs through May. In addition to Sundays, 3rd-7th grade students participate in our Midweek Religious School. This offers additional Hebrew instruction, which is crucial to learning language and contributes to stronger Jewish identity and relationships with peers. 

Family involvement and participation are integral parts of our school program. This demonstrates that Jewish commitment and involvement are lifelong endeavors, and the family is the cornerstone of Jewish living. Please join us for our family holiday celebrations, Family Learning Programs, and Sunday morning parent education classes. 

What to Expect/What a Day Looks Like 

Students in Junior Kindergarten through 2nd Grade spend the morning in a variety of Jewish experiential learning opportunities: tefilah, art, Jewish cooking, Israeli dance, and more! Students begin learning the alef-bet and begin decoding Hebrew. Junior Congregation, an age-appropriate prayer experience featuring  our clergy and lots of singing, is held monthly on Sundays. Parents are invited and encouraged to participate in Junior Congregation to nurture your child’s spiritual development and join in the fun! (See the calendar for exact dates.)

For students in 3rd-7th grade, the schedule on Sunday morning consists of Hebrew, Judaics, tefilah (prayer), and a rotation of specials: Israeli dance, art, Jewish cooking, and more. Wednesday primarily focus on tefilah and Hebrew, with a rotation of weekly specials. 8th graders will have the opportunity to learn on- and offsite in partnership with other Lakeview synagogues.