Woodbury Jewish Center is proud to boast one of the largest religious schools on Long Island with a student population of200 children and a faculty of 19 dedicated and innovative teachers. In the fall of 2002, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism presented the religious school with two awards recognizing the school for creative programming and Cantor Cohen’s Tefillah CD for a wonderful teaching aide for prayer instruction.

Students attend kindergarten, grades 1 and 2 one day per week. They are introduced to Jewish holidays, Bible stories, Hebrew letters and vocabulary, prayers, music and Israeli folk dancing. Their learning is experiential. The students create holiday projects, dramatize stories in the Torah and use different media (including baking) to learn letter sounds. They learn about mitzvot and enjoy their annual visit to Gurwin assisted living facility to entertain and bring gifts to the residents.

Children are required to be enrolled in religious school by grade 3 to qualify for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Students in Alef through Hey attend twice a week and follow a prescribed curriculum culminating in moving up exercises at the end of grade 7. The curriculum includes Hebrew, history, holidays, tefillah, music and ethics. Our Hebrew program includes enrichment classes for students highly motivated and academically gifted, as well as a reading club for students requiring reinforcement instruction. Students are consecrated during the Alef year of instruction and receive their siddur. Age 13, boys and girls become B’nai Mitzvah, sharing the same responsibilities for leading the service, rendering the Haftarah and delivering a speech on the significance of the weekly Torah reading.

Following Bar/Bat Mitzvah, students enroll in our Hebrew high school, attending one evening per week, studying with Rabbi Adler. The program focuses on current Jewish issues, values clarification, ethics from the Bible and challenges facing Jewish teens. Following three years of Hebrew high school, our students participate in a Confirmation service.  Our post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah graduates are also invited to become student teachers—assisting in the classes with young children, tutoring Hebrew and helping in the school office.

Children with special learning needs have the opportunity to receive a Jewish education at WJC. Special education classes, having small class registers, meet once a week for Hebrew, history, holidays and music. This program is available to students in grades 3-7 and culminates with a Bat/Bat Mitzvah.

WJC prides itself in the success of its children’s services: junior congregation for students in grades 3-7 and the Shabbat Family Experience for kindergarten through grade 2 pupils. Students are required to attend a minimum of 10 services, but many attend many more. When students earn 10 service credits they become “minyanaires.” Students who attend 18 services become members of the Chai Club and upon attending their 25th service are admitted to the Zahav Club. A bowling party, miniature golf outing and a movie and dinner reinforce student achievement.

The success of the religious school may be measured by the high percentage of students who earn placement on the Honor Roll and Merit List for academic excellence. Three times a year, students and parent attend an awards’ assembly. Excellent attendance and punctuality are also recognized at these times.

Parents take an active role in their child’s religious education and Jewish experiences. They serve on the Education Committee, in the Parents Association and on the Youth Activities Committee. Many attend P.A.C.E. (Parent and Child Education) programs and adult education classes. They volunteer in the game room, assist in the office and take an active role during special programs for the children.

Woodbury Jewish Center Religious School provides a successful learning program and an enriching Jewish experience for its children because our clergy are involved, our lay leadership support the highest goals and standards for Jewish instruction, our teachers are caring and innovative and our students approach Jewish learning with respect and responsibility.

Learn More About The WJC Religious School Programs...

The nursery school program at Woodbury Jewish Center introduces our children to the joy of learning and the warm and wonderful traditions of our Jewish heritage.


The toddler program takes our youngest students from an "I" centered world into one of "we". The program introduces through play, concepts of sharing, fair play and friendship. Jewish holidays and traditions are explored with music, dance, arts and crafts, and cooking. The toddler program is a "hands-on" program where the children learn by doing.

The preschool program expands upon the skills that have been developing in our children since birth. We believe that the work of young children is to learn by playing, doing, discovering and exploring. Through a curriculum of Judiac experiences, creative arts, science and nature, language arts, and motor activities, we encourage children to express themselves. We also know that socializing with their peers enhances a child's self-esteem. By learning to respect the rights of others, children develop a hightened awareness of themselves as a well as a responsibility towards others.

Children learn best by doing, and they are always busy "doing". As concepts are introduced (i.e.: numbers, letters) the children see them, hear them, play games with them, even bake cookies using them.

Fun while learning would best describe the overall goal of our toddler/preschool program. We look forward to enrolling your child.

As your Rabbi, I would like to be able to participate in your life-cycle events.  These include births, weddings, funerals and hospital or home visitation of the ill.  In order for me to assist you, I must be kept informed.  Please read through the following and keep this page handy.

Simchas

When there is a joyous occasions in your life, please share them with me.  Let me know about births, engagements, weddings, and other important moments in the life of your family.  I can help you plan a naming, provide information regarding a mohel for a Brit Milah, schedule an auf ruf, or officiate at weddings, and help to bring Jewish tradition and mitzvot into your simcha.

Illness

In case of illness and/or hospitalization, please notify Rabbi Adler at 496-9100 X 125.

In the event that I am away, other local Conservative rabbis are on call.  Their names can be gotten through the synagogue office (516)496-9100 X120 or through Cantor Cohen (516) 496-9100 X 123.
It is also appropriate to contact me whenever tragedy or trauma occurs. On Shabbat or Yom Tov, I do not use the telephone. Therefore, you can convey information to me on these days at the synagogue during service times, by calling immediately after Shabbat or Yom Tov, or by going to my home.

Did YOU know that the Woodbury Jewish Center has…

· The warm and dynamic Rabbi Raphael Adler, complementing our already-excellent clergy and ensuring continuity of our spiritual leadership in the years to come?

· A nursery school offering superb education and introduction to Jewish holidays and traditions to over 200 energetic pre-schoolers?

· A top-notch religious school that brings innovative teaching and motivational techniques to the education of over 300 enthusiastic students in Hebrew language as well as Jewish history, culture, and values?

· A recently expanded building housing a beautiful sanctuary, youth chapel, expanded school and Kiddush rooms, and an elegant catering facility run by the leading glatt kosher caterer in the northeastern United States?

· A full range of holiday programs for the entire family?

· A well-established and active Seniors Group?

· A rich adult education program including adult bar/bat mitzvah?

· A convenient location at 200 South Woods Road in Woodbury?

NOW you know! We invite you to…

· Join a warm and welcoming synagogue family that shares simchas joyously, and supports one another in times of need.

· Join a thriving congregation committed to leadership in the Jewish community.

· Seize an opportunity for your children to discover and cherish their Jewish heritage.

· Join us, the congregation of the Woodbury Jewish Center.