Religious School, Upper School, and Confirmation

We offer innovative, experiential, and compelling educational programs for children at both of our campuses (DC and Potomac) as well as online to help each child learn about Judaism and develop their unique sense of Jewish identity.

Washington Hebrew Congregation’s Religious School is committed to inclusion. Please consult with Stephanie Tankel, Director of Lifelong Learning, should your child require any special educational accommodation so we can best meet their needs.

class of religious school students holds up pictures they made

The Religious School curriculum is spiraled in order to scaffold each child’s learning opportunities and build from one year to the next. The topics explored include culture, holidays, sacred text (Torah and beyond!), theology, prayer and spirituality, Jewish life cycle, Israel (through history and today), and so much more.

More than any theme or topic, this is a space where Jewish identity is shaped. We see each child as uniquely made in the image of God and partner with them and their family to ensure a meaningful educational journey.

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open!

REGISTER NOW

 

class of religious school students holds up pictures they made

Overview of WHC’s Religious School Structure for 2026-2027

Pre-K through 2nd Grade

Beginning in Pre-K and lasting throughout, we help students build a Jewish identity through socialization and play, blending music, art, drama, and dance into fun and learning. These early years focus on developing a love of being Jewish. A big emphasis is placed on building community within the class and forging new friendships — we know social and emotional components are the foundation for strong and meaningful learning.
Pre-K students gather once a month or weekly (your choice!) and K-2 students gather weekly on Sunday mornings from 9:30am-12noon. Snack is always part of the experience!

3rd through 7th Grades

3rd Grade through 6th Grade Judaic Studies: Rooted in passion & choice
Sunday Mornings at Temple or JBSC from 9:30am-12noon*
Students in grades 3 through 6 experience their mornings in three parts: an hour of Judaic Studies, 30 minutes of tefillah-prayer, and an hour of Hebrew (or, see below for an alternative focus from Hebrew!).
When students are empowered to exercise agency, they are more invested in the experience and more likely to forge long-lasting friendships and a stronger connection to Judaism. The Judaic Studies curriculum invites students to encounter Torah and sacred Jewish literature, worship, God and theology, tikkun olam-social justice, and Israel, among other topics. Embedded into the core of our Judaic Studies program is an “elective experience.” Our innovative, elective-based approach allows each student to steer their Jewish journey at various points, giving them agency in their learning and empowering them. Throughout the school year, students are presented with elective options taught by passionate faculty members. Electives last between 3 to 6 weeks and honor the diversity of interests, learning styles, and abilities in our community.
We love seeing students engage deeply with the content as they wrestle with and form their Jewish identities alongside new and old friends!
*STUDENTS WHO ENCOUNTER SCHEDULING OR OTHER HURDLES ARE INVITED TO BE IN TOUCH TO EXPLORE INDIVIDUALIZED INDEPENDENT STUDIES OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVE PLANS & ACCOMODATIONS!

7th Grade

7th grade is a unique moment in the Jewish journey. So many students attend a number of b’nei mitzvah, which means they are celebrating Jewish milestones and attending worship services more than they may have done in the past. Some say 7th grade is, by virtue of this, the “most Jewish time” in their lives thus far! We regard this special time as a chance to help build the next generation of Jewish teen leaders. Our program focuses on leadership, identity, and deep conversations. We are excited to share details of our newly revamped 7th grade curriculum with families very soon!

Mid-Week Hebrew for Grades 4-7
Repetition of Hebrew Material Mid-Week

4th through 7th graders can strengthen and build their Hebrew skills mid-week either in-person or via Zoom. In-person gatherings occur from 4:30-6:00pm on Tuesdays at JBSC and Wednesdays at Temple. In-person sessions include communal prayer and community building. Zoom offerings are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for 45 minutes, from 4:45-5:30pm.

Religious School… But Without Hebrew!
An alternative approach
Do you love the idea of your child(ren) learning about their history, culture, spirituality, holidays, sacred stories, social justice… BUT struggle with their learning to read Hebrew? Is Hebrew learning a barrier in your child’s Jewish educational journey? The emphasis of this model is joyful Judaism (without Hebrew letters). If you are interested in being part of this beautiful experience, please let Stephanie Tankel know.

Post-B'nei Mitzvah Offerings

Upper School for Grades 8-12
8th & 9th Grade: Beyond the Bima – Tuesday evenings
Beyond the Bima is a weekly experiential program for our post-bnei mitzvah students to come together and continue to build community and learn with their WHC peers. It is also an opportunity for our clergy and education staff members to teach from a place of deep passion. Here, we invite students to have more sophisticated and nuanced conversation about and within Judaism, helping them explore relevant issues that they grapple with as Jewish teens. We aim to foster a safe and caring place for them to explore their own Jewish identities among community. We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm, alternating buildings by the month.  Questions? Let us know.
10th Grade: Confirmation
WHC’s Confirmation experience affirms our students’ connection to their synagogue community, while providing a strong foundation in Jewish values and a thorough understanding of Reform Jewish ideology and identity. Students can participate in Confirmation in many ways: a trip to New York City, Tuesday night classes, the RAC L’taken Seminar, and/or be a teen volunteer on Sunday mornings! The year culminates in the Confirmation service, designed and led by the Confirmands. Questions? Contact Rabbi Eliana Fischel.
11th & 12th Grade – Next Phase: Jewish Wisdom for Life’s Next Chapter
It’s hard to believe that only a few years ago, you may have been studying for your bar or bat mitzvah, and now, you’re planning for life after high school. This is a time, more than any other, when you’re figuring out who you are and what is truly important. The good news is that Judaism has 3,500 years of wisdom and guidance that can help. Next Phase is a monthly gathering for 11th and 12th graders that dives deep into questions you are probably already asking, like:
1. How can I set better priorities?
2. What do I say when people talk about Israel?
3. How can I lower my stress level?
4. How do I respond if I encounter antisemitism?
5. What do I believe, or not believe, about God?
And more! Questions? Let us know!

2026-2027 Registration is Now Open!

REGISTER NOW

CONTACT US

Stephanie Tankel
Director of Lifelong Learning
stankel@whctemple.org
Washington Hebrew Congregation
(Temple)

3935 Macomb Street NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: 202-362-7100

Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
(JBSC)

11810 Falls Road
Potomac, MD 20854
Phone: 301-279-7505

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