Home > Learn > Religious School > Religious School, Upper School, and Confirmation
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.
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!
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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!
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!
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. We regard this special time as a chance to help build the next generation of Jewish teen leaders and givers. Our 7th grade curriculum focuses on Jewish teen philanthropy through a comprehensive curriculum by Honeycomb. 7th graders will talk about why we give, and the Jewish values that align with this action and choice. At some point during the year, students, parents, and grandparents are invited to participate in an intergenerational giving circle where we will use consensus building to communally choose an organization to give to in the local DC area. The 7th grade program focuses on leadership, Jewish identity, and deeper conversations.
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.
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.
Beyond the Bimah 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. Some topics that may be covered include but are not limited to Jewish ethics, Jewish identity, Israel, Jewish peoplehood, Antisemitism, and exploration of Jewish texts. 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 7:00-8:30 pm, alternating buildings by the month. Questions? Let us know.
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.
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!
