FAQ's

I do not read Hebrew. Can my children learn to read without my help?

Yes. Most of the Hebrew reading will be taught, reviewed and reinforced during class time. When children are sent home with homework to review, they should already be familiar with the material so as to be able to self-check. Alternatively, we can provide your child with a "homework buddy" to help him/her review during the week.
 
Chabad seems very religious and we are not. Can this be a healthy choice for our family? 

Yes. Chabad is a philosophy and an organization based upon enhancing Jewish experience and education for all Jews, regardless of level of observance. There are no commitments, no expectations - families are free to engage in whatever manner of observance they are comfortable with.
 
Why has my tuition cost increased?

The goal of our program is for every child to experience Judaism first-hand and enjoy it! We spare no effort to create an environment where children WANT to attend and learn. Our costs continue to rise yet we will not scrimp on those expenses which make our program exciting and interesting, foremost among which is the salaries we pay our teachers who travel to attend each week. This year, tuition will include the Shabbat dinners, Havdallah workshop and matzah bakery, for which parents will not need to pay for later in the year.
 
How will my children be taught/treated/feel if we do not observe what is being taught in the JEP, in our home? 

Your child will never be judged by what his/her family observes or does not observe at home. We teach the laws and practices of Judaism so that the children will know of our unique and special heritage. If children see their parents and families implementing and trying to observe some of what they have learned in class, the lessons will become more real and more personal for them.
 
My children are learning more than I ever have. How can I learn more? 

We offer adult education classes through the Chabad Jewish Center and for adults during JEP time. Additionally, if you would like to observe your child/rens class in the Jewish Enrichment Program to get a taste of what the children are learning, please call Feigel to discuss a convenient time for you!
 
Will my children learn all they need to know in a one day/week program? 

Judaism cannot be compartmentalized into three (or six or ten) hours per week. We try to use all the time we have to teach as much as possible about Judaism, prayer, Hebrew reading etc. Because we only meet once/week, we hope to whet the students' appetite to desire to learn and grow in Judaism and whatever support they may receive from their families will increase the odds of their retaining and internalizing the lessons taught. 
 

Will my child learn conversational Hebrew at the Jewish Enrichment Program?
 
Because we only meet once a week, we have found that we can not teach Hebrew language in addition to Judaica and Hebrew reading. We do use common Hebrew vocabulary words in the classroom, and through the Hebrew reading, students will have an easier time learning to speak Hebrew when they visit Israel or otherwise have an opportunity to learn Hebrew as a language.

How do you celebrate Bar and Bat Mitzvahs?

Bar and Bat Mitzvah training are done separately from the Jewish Enrichment Program. With the approach of Bar/Bat Mitzvah age, private tutoring is done by Rabbi or Feigel Tenenbaum and there are several options of how to celebrate this auspicious day in a young adult's life.