5787 / 2026-2027
Mission Statement
Temple Israel Cheder brings Jewish children together for joyful, relationship-based learning rooted in Torah, tefillah, holidays, Jewish values, and synagogue community. Through weekly gatherings, Shabbat experiences, and mentorship from college-age educators, children build Jewish knowledge, friendships, confidence, and a lasting sense of belonging at Temple Israel, a synagogue-community that balances tradition and modernity while being open to all.
Letter to Families
Dear Temple Israel families,
We are excited to invite children ages 5–12 to join Temple Israel Cheder, a warm and joyful program of Jewish learning, friendship, and community.
Temple Israel Cheder brings children together each week to explore Jewish stories, holidays, values, Hebrew prayer, and synagogue life. Our goal is not simply to recreate the Hebrew school many adults remember. We want children to feel happy coming to shul, connected to other Jewish children and mentors, comfortable participating in Jewish life, and proud of what they are learning.
Weekly Cheder
Temple Israel Cheder will meet on Thursdays from 4:00–6:00 p.m., following the Binghamton University academic calendar.
Each gathering will include:
- Time to arrive, play, and build friendships
- A shared snack with opportunities to learn and say food blessings
- Singing and tefillah
- Interactive learning about parashah, holidays, Jewish stories, values, and traditions
- Small-group activities led by college-age educators and adult teachers
- A closing activity and shared clean-up
Children will learn alongside peers of different ages while also receiving age-appropriate instruction and attention.
Shabbat
Jewish learning happens not only in a classroom but through experiences of Jewish community. Each month, Temple Israel Cheder will include a Shabbat component for children and families.
Across the year, we anticipate:
- Friday-night Shabbat dinners for Cheder families, with a brief service, children’s programming, and a hot meal
- Shabbat-morning children’s services, followed by Kiddush and lunch
- Additional holiday celebrations and family gatherings
These events will give children opportunities to experience the joy of Shabbat, build friendships, and take part in the life of the synagogue alongside their families.
Optional Hebrew language program
Hebrew is part of our weekly Cheder experience through prayer, songs, blessings, and Jewish text. For families seeking a more focused path toward Hebrew reading and writing proficiency, Temple Israel will also offer an optional additional Hebrew class.
This class will emphasize Hebrew decoding, reading, writing, and regular practice. To make meaningful progress, families will be asked to support brief review at home at least twice each week.
Costs and Contributions
We want to ensure everyone can participate in Jewish learning and community! In that spirit, we are piloting a suggestion contribution model. Please, contribute what you can both financially and by volunteering to help with our programming. Below is a chart with suggested tuition amounts per-child for the school year.
| Thursday Cheder Program | Suggested contribution / child / semester |
| Supported | $500 |
| Standard | $1000 |
| Sustaining | $1500 |
| Tuesday Hebrew Lessons | Suggested contribution / child / semester |
| Supported | $250 |
| Standard | $500 |
| Sustaining | $750 |
B’nei mitzvah preparation
Temple Israel Cheder will help children build the Jewish familiarity and confidence that support meaningful B’nei mitzvah preparation. Children approaching B’nei mitzvah will also receive individualized instruction in Hebrew reading, Torah and Haftarah skills, leading tefillah, and developing an age-appropriate Torah interpretation.
Weekly schedule
- Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m.: Optional Hebrew tutoring / Hebrew literacy class
- Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.: Temple Israel Weekly minyan service; Cheder children are encouraged to stay and participate along with their parents
- Thursdays, 4:00–6:00 p.m.: Temple Israel Cheder main program
- Fridays: Family Shabbat dinners on the specified dates
Draft Calendar Fall 2026
| Month | Tuesday Hebrew, 4:30–5:30 | Thursday Cheder, 4:00–6:00 | Family and holiday programs |
| October | Oct. 13, 20, 27 | Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29 | Oct. 4: Simchat Torah Services beginning 9:30am; Oct. 16: Family Shabbat Dinner |
| November | Nov. 3, 10, 17 | Nov. 5, 12, 19 | Thanksgiving recess: no programs Nov. 24 or Nov. 26 |
| December | Dec. 1, 8, 15 | Dec. 3, 10, 17 | Dec. 4: Family Shabbat Dinner and Hanukkah celebration; winter break begins after Dec. 17 |
Winter and Spring 2027
| Month | Tuesday Hebrew, 4:30–5:30 | Thursday Cheder, 4:00–6:00 | Family and holiday programs |
| January | Jan. 12, 19, 26 | Jan. 14, 21, 28 | Jan. 22: Family Shabbat Dinner |
| February | Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 | Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 | Feb. 19: Family Shabbat Dinner |
| March | Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25 | Purim celebration on March 22. |
| April | Apr. 6, 13, 20 | Apr. 8, 15 | No programs Apr. 22–29 for Passover |
| May | May 4, 11, 18, 25 | May 6, 13, 20, 27 | May 14: Family Shabbat Dinner / cookout; May 27 can serve as the final Thursday Cheder celebration |