Religious School at Temple Concord
Temple Concord’s Religious School is where creativity meets tradition, and learning comes alive. We inspire students to build strong Jewish identities, make decisions rooted in Jewish values, and discover that being Jewish is something they can carry with them everywhere—not just on Sundays.
Our goal is simple: give students the tools, knowledge, and confidence to live meaningful Jewish lives.
Learning Together: Students, Teachers, and Families
Each of our teachers is passionate about Jewish learning and building genuine connections with students. They bring experience, creativity, and compassion to every lesson, creating a classroom environment where questions are welcomed and exploration is encouraged.
Parents are essential partners in this journey. By being involved in synagogue life, encouraging your child’s participation, and modeling (dugma) your own commitment to lifelong learning, you help reinforce everything we do together.
Our Program
Pre-K:
- Gan: Once a month on Sunday mornings, led by Rebecca Oppedisano, founder of Bluebird Music Together—songs, crafts, and stories for our youngest learners.
- Tot Shabbat: Monthly Shabbat service with Rabbi Emanuel and Cantor Eglash, filled with music, stories, and special snacks for our littlest members and their families.
K-7th grade:
- Religious School: Sunday mornings, 9:00am-12:00pm
- SCHS: Wednesday afternoons at the Syracuse Community Hebrew School, where students learn Hebrew decoding skills, dive deep into tefilot and experience intergenerational programming designed to increase engagement across the lifespan.
8th-12th grade:
- Madrichim Program: After B’Mitzvah, students can serve as teaching assistants in classrooms or as music madrichim, leading services and music classes on Sunday mornings (9am-12pm). Madrichim earn volunteer hours, and once they reach 10th grade, can choose to be paid or continue earning community service credit.
- Confirmation: Our 10th graders meet Sunday afternoons with Rabbi Emanuel for student-directed study over pizza, exploring what it means to be a Jewish adult. The year culminates in a Confirmation service on Erev Shavuot, where students help lead worship and share their reflections with the congregation.
- Epstein School: Teens in grades 8-12 from across Central New York Jewish communities gather on Tuesday evenings for learning and connection. Classes are taught by the four congregational rabbis and other dynamic Jewish educators, with student-directed electives in the second hour. Epstein offers SUPA Hebrew for college credit every other year and organizes the Teen Taste of Israel trip.
Beyond the Classroom
Learning at Temple Concord extends far beyond textbooks. On Sunday mornings, students experience:
- Weekly music with Cantor Eglash and the music madrichim team
- Monthly art projects and library time
- Chugim (elective activities) where students in grades 3-7 explore special interests and connect with kids from other grades
- Opportunities to lead services throughout the year
- Youth group participation for students in grades 5 and up, both at Temple Concord and through BBYO in the wider community.
These enrichments don’t just add variety—they help students see Judaism as creative, joyful, and relevant to their lives.
Learn More
For more information, contact Cantor Kari Siegel Eglash at cantoreglash@templeconcord.org