CHOICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL TO 12th GRADE
The Goodman Center for Jewish Education 2024–2025 Classes
Choice – Meaning – Openness – Celebration – Joy
We are excited enrollment is open for the 2024–2025 school year. In response to what we have heard from parents and students, we have streamlined our class offerings and schedules.
We remain committed to partnering with families in providing hands-on experiential learning that taps into students’ interests, talents, and ways of learning to motivate them to engage in Jewish learning and living.
Be certain to check out all the family Jewish learning and living experiences offered throughout the year. Visit our calendar to see the complete list of events, some for specific grades, and others targeted to the whole community.
HOW TO ENROLL
All grade levels are open to our NSCI member families. In addition, we offer an opportunity for families who are not affiliated with NSCI to join us. Our YFC membership is an option for new families where the oldest child is in Preschool – 3rd grade. These families may enroll in school for one year at 1.6x the tuition rate and participate fully in all NSCI has to offer. We'll get to know one another over that year and, if NSCI is a good fit, you'll begin regular membership dues the following year. YFC tuition is available only for one year, and YFC families are not eligible for scholarship funds.
To enroll in school, click on the upper right corner and log into your NSCI account or contact Ami Bauman for assistance.
students with learning differences
We are pleased to share that we have a specialized program, Individualized Instruction, for students with learning differences of all kinds. Along with teachers and Machoniks (teen aides), the Coordinator, Judy Wexler, crafts an individual curriculum for each student matching their needs using different learning strategies, lots of positive reinforcement, and one-on-one or small-group learning. No homework is given. Parents may re-enroll children who were in this program last year for the open school term. Parents wishing to explore enrolling their child(ren) in this program for the first time need to speak with Dr. Goodman.
Preschool
Sunday Preschool at NSCI
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am
Preschoolers come for joyful, hands-on Jewish experience, exploring symbols, rituals, customs, values, and holidays through stories, music, art, food, and imaginative play.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am
Classes are a mix of kindergartners and 1st graders who "Dig Deeper" on sessions exploring celebrating Shabbat, connecting with God, and spreading kindness, as well as covering the holidays. Exploration is through hands-on experiential learning projects, the arts, music, books, videos, games, Hebrew through Movement, and more!
Wednesday Kindergarten-2nd grade
Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45pm
Classes are a mix of kindergartners through 2nd grades who "Dig Deeper" on sessions exploring celebrating Shabbat, connecting with God, and spreading kindness, as well as covering the holidays. Exploration is through hands-on experiential learning projects, the arts, music, books, videos, games, Hebrew through Movement, and more! Students spend time with older buddies in 3rd-7th grade for special time together.
2nd Grade
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am
2nd graders explore community, synagogue, mitzvot (commandments), Shabbat, and holidays through hands-on experiential learning projects, the arts, music, books, videos, games, Hebrew through Movement, and more.
3rd – 4th Grade
Camp@NSCI
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am
3rd–4th graders come for our nationally renowned Camp@NSCI program. "Campers" interpret classic Torah stories through real-life questions and identify important Jewish values through video creation, visual arts projects, music, games, and more. In addition to Camp@NSCI, 3rd and 4th graders choose one weekly session for Hebrew learning. They will be introduced to the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, learn modern Hebrew words and common "Jewish life" vocabulary, as well as the Chanukah blessings and Passover Four Questions.
Please choose one of the following in-person Hebrew options:
- Sundays, 11:00 am–12:15 pm
- Tuesdays, 4:15-5:45 pm*
- Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm*
* Students who come on Tuesdays or Wednesdays participate in "chug," our specialty program exploring Hebrew connected to Jewish holidays and blessings through art, cooking, games, STEM, and other fun activities.
Tuesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm are open for individual/small group instruction.
Individualized Instruction at NSCI
Available for all 3rd–4th grade students who require an alternative learning environment, either online or in person on Sundays or midweek.
Private tutoring is available as an option for Hebrew and/or Jewish learning. We prefer families to use our tutors for consistency in curriculum. Please contact Dr. Goodman, robertag@nsci.org, to arrange this option.
5th Grade
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am
5th graders come for two hours on Sundays. During that time they have one hour of Jewish learning and one hour of Hebrew/prayer learning.
Through Project Based Learning (PBL) students answer for themselves what does Judaism teach about values that can guide my life? How is everyone living in the State of Israel responsible for one another? For its neighbors? For the entire Jewish community? For the world?
Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm: Special 5th grade class in lieu of Sundays for those who can't attend Sundays regularly. Students will meet in person for 45 minutes of Hebrew and 45 minutes of Jewish Learning.
Tuesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm, are open for individual/small group instruction.
Individualized Instruction at NSCI
Available for all 5th grade students who require an alternative learning environment, either online or in person on Sundays or midweek.
Private tutoring is available as an option for Hebrew and/or Jewish learning. We prefer families to use our tutors for consistency in curriculum. Please contact Dr.Goodman, robertag@nsci.org, to arrange this option.
6th Grade
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am
6th graders come for two hours on Sundays. During that time they have one hour of Jewish learning and one hour focused on prayers for celebration and traditions, including b'nei mitzvah service. They have the option of in person or online Hebrew during the week.
Through Project Based Learning (PBL) students answer for themselves what does Judaism teach about values that can guide my life? How is everyone living in the State of Israel responsible for one another? For its neighbors? For the entire Jewish community? For the world?
Additionally, 6th graders sign up for a small-group Hebrew reading class to master prayers recited at a typical Shabbat and b'nei mitzvah service. Several weekday options are available online or in person.
Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm: Special 6th grade class in lieu of Sundays for those who can't attend Sundays regularly. Students will meet in person for 45 minutes of Hebrew and 45 minutes of Jewish Learning.
Individualized Instruction at NSCI
Available for all 6th grade students who require an alternative learning environment, either online or in person on Sundays or midweek.
Private tutoring is available as an option for Hebrew and/or Jewish learning. We prefer families to use our tutors for consistency in curriculum. Please contact Dr.Goodman, robertag@nsci.org, to arrange this option.
Selah Music Group
6th–12th graders
Sundays, 11:00–12:15 pm and select Fridays, 5:15–7:15 pm
Selah group members sing and/or play musical instruments under the guidance of Cantor David Goldstein and noted songleader and composer, Alan Goodis. Selah members help lead worship at select Shabbat services and the High Holy Days.
7th Grade
Becoming a Jewish Adult
Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm
Taught by Andrea Dalinka, students explore Jewish identity by debating ethical dilemmas, addressing modern day anti-semitism, and studying the Holocaust from a uniquely Jewish perspective.
One Wednesday per month, Rabbi Greene & Rabbi Leizman will lead our 7th graders in a fun, interactive exploration related to the season or nearby holiday.
Jr. Machonik (Teen Aid)
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am; Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm
7th graders are invited to serve as Jr. Machoniks, teen aides, that help out in classrooms. Machonik training occurs on select Sundays, 11:00–12:15 pm.
Selah Music Group
6th–12th graders
Sundays, 11:00–12:15 pm and select Fridays, 5:15–7:15 pm
Selah group members sing and/or play musical instruments under the guidance of Cantor David Goldstein and noted songleader and composer, Alan Goodis. Selah members help lead worship at select Shabbat services and the High Holy Days.
8th – 12th Grade
Kehilah
NSCI's brand new, immersive Jewish teen experience. Members of Kehilah, which means "community" in Hebrew, will learn from clergy, discuss topics relevant to their lives, celebrate holidays together, and form new friendship through fun, teen-planned programs. Kehilah highlights include group outings, service projects, and a special Spring retreat. Kehilah will meet every 2-3 weeks, often on Wednesday evenings, and also on weekends and other evenings.
8th grade Jr. Machonik
9th–12th grade Machonik (paid)
Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am and 11:00–12:15 pm; Tuesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm; or Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm
If your student likes working with younger students and learns best when teaching something to someone else, they are invited to help Dr. Goodman and the teachers by being a Machonik on Sundays, Tuesdays, and/or Wednesdays. They are expected to attend Sunday training sessions. Specialty assignments that require specialty training; e.g., Hebrew Through Movement, song leading, Hebrew tutoring, special learning teacher assignment, and young children (ages 0–5) are available and compensated appropriately. For more information, talk to Andrea Dalinka or Dr. Goodman.
Selah Music Group
6th–12th graders
Sundays, 11:00–12:15 pm and select Fridays, 5:15–7:15 pm
Selah group members sing and/or play musical instruments under the guidance of Cantor David Goldstein and noted songleader and composer, Alan Goodis. Selah members help lead worship at select Shabbat services and the High Holy Days.
Fiedler Fellow Scholarship
The Fiedler Fellow award honors our High School graduates with a $1,000 scholarship from the Louis P. and Saerree K. Fiedler Fund to apply toward college tuition or any post-secondary program. This award recognizes our teens who have participated at NSCI all four years of High School.
