The Goodman Center for Jewish Education
2022-2023 Classes
Choice - Meaning - Openness - Celebration - Joy
We are excited enrollment is open for the 2022-2023 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 for the whole community.
All grade levels are open to our NSCI member families. In addition, we offer an opportunity for families who are not affiliated with NSCI. 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 in the upper right corner and log into your NSCI account or contact Jennifer McKeag for assistance:
Individualized Instruction at NSCI
Available for all 3rd - 6th grade students who require an alternative learning environment, either online or in person on Sundays or midweek.
Preschool (toilet-trained 3 and 4 year-olds)
Sundays, 9 – 11 a.m.
Preschoolers come for joyful, hands-on Jewish experiences, exploring symbols, rituals, customs, values and holidays through stories, music, art, food and imaginative play.
Open to the Community!
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Sundays, 9 – 11 a.m.
Classes are a mix of Kindergartners and 1st graders who “Dig Deeper” on units exploring Torah, Passover, Prayer and Connecting to Israel through hands-on experiential learning projects, the arts, music, books, videos, games, Hebrew through Movement and more.
2nd Grade
Sundays, 9 – 11 a.m.
2nd graders explore community, synagogue, mitzvot (commandments) and holidays through hands-on experiential learning projects, the arts, music, books, videos, games, Hebrew through Movement and more.
3rd - 4th Grade
Sundays, 9 – 11 a.m.
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, STEM, games and more.
In addition to Camp@NSCI, 3rd - 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:
- Tuesdays, 4:15 – 5:45 p.m.*
- Wednesdays, 4:15 – 5:45 p.m.*
- Sundays, 11 – 12:00 p.m.
*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.
5th Grade
Sundays, choose one of two morning sessions
5th graders come for two hours on Sundays. Please choose one of the following sessions:
- 9 – 11 a.m.
- 10 – 12 p.m.
Through project based learning (PBL), students answer for themselves what Israel’s responsibility is to its residents and the world, as well as what Judaism teaches about the students’ own personal responsibility to themselves, their family, community and the world. Students also learn to read Hebrew prayers from the Shabbat service, explore their meaning and answer the question, “Why pray?”
6th Grade
Sundays, choose one of two morning sessions and an online weekday session
6th graders come for two hours on Sundays. Please choose one of the following sessions:
- 9 – 11 a.m.
- 10 – 12 p.m.
Please choose one of the weekday, online Hebrew sessions:
- Tuesdays, 4 - 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesdays, 4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
- Tuesdays, 7 - 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 4 - 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
Through project based learning (PBL), students answer for themselves what Israel’s responsibility is to its residents and the world, as well as what Judaism teaches about the students’ own personal responsibility to themselves, their family, community and the world. Students also participate in a prayer experience to deepen their understanding, competence and comfort with the Shabbat prayers.
Additionally, as their b’nei mitzvah is approaching, sixth graders sign up for a 30-minute small-group Hebrew reading class online to master prayers recited at a typical Shabbat and b’nei mitzvah service.
Selah
6th-12th graders
Sundays, 11 – 12:00 p.m, & select Fridays, 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.
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
Tuesdays, 4:15 – 5:45 p.m. in person and 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. when class is online
Students explore Jewish identity by debating difficult ethical situations, modern day anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust from a uniquely Jewish perspective. Monthly, students study with our rabbis the national curriculum, “Moving Traditions,” which combines investigation of teen issues with Jewish sources and community building.
Jr. Machonik (Teen Aide)
Sundays, 9 – 11 a.m., Wednesdays, 4:15 – 5:45 p.m.
7th graders are invited to serve as Jr. Machoniks, teen aides that help out in classrooms. Machonik training occurs on select Sundays from 11 - 12 p.m.
Selah
6th-12th graders
Sundays, 11 – 12 p.m, & select Fridays, 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.
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.
Please choose one or more of the following seventh grade options:
- 7th Grade Class, Tuesdays, 4:15 – 5:45 p.m.
- Jr. Machonik, Wednesday or Sunday
- Selah, Sundays, 11– 12 p.m.
8th – 12th Grade
Tough Jewish Conversations: Wrestling with Today’s Real Issues
Monthly on Mondays from 6:15 – 8:00 p.m. This class includes dinner.
As Jews we are brought into difficult conversations. In this class we will learn, argue and form our own answers so that next time these questions arise, we have something to say!
Teachers: Rabbis Greene & Daniels and Ben Reingold, with the help of guest speakers and YOU! Yes, there will be opportunities for teen participants to lead class sessions too!
8th grade Jr. Machonik
9th - 12th grade Machonik (paid)
Sundays 9 – 11 a.m., Tuesdays 4:15 – 5:45 p.m. or Wednesdays 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
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 or Wednesdays. They are expected to attend monthly Sunday training sessions. 9th to 12th grade Machoniks are paid an hourly rate for their work.
Selah
6th-12th graders
Sundays, 11 – 12 p.m, & select Fridays, 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.
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.
Please choose one or more of the following 8th-12th Grade options:
- Monday Night Class, Monthly 6 – 7:30 p.m.
- 8th grade Jr. Machonik
- 9th-12th grade Machonik
- Selah, Sundays, 11 - 12 p.m.
