Rockland Jewish School Offers Free Tuition for the Year

Reform Temple of Rockland, which was created when Temple Beth El and Temple Beth Torah merged last spring, offers year-round religious school for kids in nursery through 12th grades.


When Temple Beth El and Temple Beth Torah merged last spring, the Reform Temple of Rockland was born. The newly united temple provides the community with a dynamic selection of spiritual, educational, and community services at each of its campuses in Spring Valley and Upper Nyack.

Among the diverse programs offered at the temple is a year-round religious school for kids in nursery through 12th grade. As part of its welcome to the neighborhood, the temple will offer free tuition for the year to children in nursery through third grade who enroll for the fall. Membership is not required to qualify for the free tuition.

“We have a diverse curriculum which combines substantive learning with experiential, project-based lessons. The kids learn about the Jewish holidays, life cycle, Jewish values, and Jewish history,” says Lewin, pointing out the curriculum for some of the younger kids in the program.

The aim is to give students an opportunity to develop an understanding and love of Judaism in a welcoming and inclusive environment, adds Lewin. Children with special needs are accommodated.

Bar and bat mitzvah confirmation classes are included in the school program. The temple also runs a universal pre-k program throughout the year.

On Sept. 20, the first day of class, the school invites families to a pizza and ice cream social to learn more about the program. Families who are not yet registered for the fall but interested in attending should call ahead. Registration for all grades is open now and classes will take place in Spring Valley on Sundays from 9:30-11:30am and Nyack on Tuesdays from 4:45-6:15pm until the December holidays.

 
Main photo: Students from the Reform Temple of Rockland religious school celebrate Jerusalem Day.