• • PreK meets 1x/month in person on Sunday mornings, 9-11am.
  • Grades K-3 meet 1x/week in person on Sunday mornings, 9-11am.
  • Grades 4-6 meet 1x/week in person on Sunday mornings, 9-11am and for small group Hebrew learning 25 minutes 2x/week via Zoom, Sunday-Thursdays, between 4-8pm.
  • Grade 7 meets 1x/week in person on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm and an alternate day for electives (e.g., Madrichim, Shabbat-at-Home, Helping the Hungry, Jewish Values in Movies), typically Friday evenings, Saturday mornings or Sunday mornings.
  • Grades 8-12 meet 1x/week in person on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm. Grade 10 is confirmation year.

  NOTE: These plans are based on the most updated DOH/CDC guidelines, with guidance from our medical experts. Safety is our first priority; our building follows these guidelines for health and safety.

KASHKESH (Grades K-2)

Kashkesh is our lively immersive Hebrew program taught through Art, Dance/Movement and Music. Our youngest students learn the rhythms and sounds of Hebrew before formal decoding begins. In each grade, the Kashkesh specialists work with the grade teachers to create synergy between Core classroom and Kashkesh learning. Hebrew is also an integrated part of every classroom.

GRADE 3

Formal Hebrew learning begins in grade 3 as a part of Sunday mornings. After a few months of introduction, the students are divided into smaller, leveled groups that are more conducive to language learning. Hebrew is also an integrated part of every classroom.

GRADES 4-6

Students meet with a dedicated teacher via Zoom 2x/week, Sundays-Thursdays between 4-8pm for 25 minutes of focused, personalized Hebrew learning. Groups include 2-4 students who are matched by similar grade, level, and availability. Parents provide some input as to the scheduling. Hebrew is also an integrated part of every Sunday class.

On Sunday mornings during Religious School, all students in grades PreK-6 attend age-appropriate services weekly led by our Kol Ami clergy. Tefillah includes singing prayers, typically accompanied by guitar or piano, and connecting to the weekly Torah portion. Our 7^th graders attend services led by Cantor Danny Mendelson during Wednesday evening class.

During grades 4-6, our students flourish in small Hebrew Groups, learning decoding through building blocks and prayers.

Kol Ami has beautiful and personalized B’nai Mitzvah. Attending Religious School enables our students to enter this special time in their lives with a sense of their place in their family lineage and within the Jewish people. 

During Religious School time:

• All students in grades PreK-7 participate in Tefillah, led weekly by our Kol Ami Clergy
• Our 4-6^th graders receive additional support and practice during small group Hebrew time
• Our 6^th graders receive and start to interpret their parshiyot (Torah portions)
• Parents and their 6^th graders attend two B’nai Mitzvah Workshops led by our Kol Ami Clergy plus one Learning Service on a Saturday morning
• Our 7^th graders make beautiful and unique silver yads to use at their B’nai Mitzvah

Additionally, each child receives private tutoring and meets with Rabbi Tom Weiner and Cantor Danny Mendelson, starting approximately 9 months prior to the date. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pam Pass, B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator at pampass@nykolami.org, Rabbi Tom Weiner at rabbitom@nykolami.org, or Cantor Danny Mendelson at cantordanny@nykolami.org.

We are dedicated to having each B’nai Mitzvah lead from the bimah feeling prepared, confident, and proud on their special day. 

Our synagogue and Religious School communities pull from many local communities, primarily White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison/West Harrison/Purchase, Edgemont, Ardsley, and the River Towns. It is nice to have others from your home community and to be able to expand your and your children’s social groups.

Our teachers are passionate, warm, fiercely dedicated educators who create lively, interactive classroom experiences. They go above and beyond to ensure that their students have positive, meaningful, and joyful experiences every week.

Our upper grades (8-12) are taught by Clergy and senior staff.

Grades 8-12 focus on more personalized learning, Tikkun Olam, creating/cementing enduring friendships, defining what Judaism means to each one of us, and ultimately becoming prepared for the expanded world. 

Grade 10 is Confirmation year, which includes a weekend retreat. This is consistently a high point for our students. Most of our graduates point to the friendships they made at Kol Ami Religious School to be among their most important, and they appreciate a distinct social group from their secular school friendships.

We also offer special trips on alternate years for our High Schoolers: either a service trip, most recently to Puerto Rico, or a trip to Israel. Our High School students also can participate in a RAC (Religious Action Center) weekend, which is filled with meaningful advocacy.

We have an active and enthusiastic Parent Network with a full slate of events, workshops, and activities. Every year our parents make new connections, do meaningful work, and have fun together. Some programs this year included: S’ips and S’mores Havdallah, Mitzvah Monday, College Advising Workshop, weekly Mah Jongg games, and Pilates. There are many ways to get involved and we welcome participation. Our Parent Network is a great way to get to know more families and parents while doing fun, meaningful and targeted activities.

During Religious School time, we have several activities for parents to participate in. Some examples are Family Shabbat Dinners (all grades), What’s in a Name? (grade 2), Holocaust Survivor Speaker (grades 5 & 8), Museum Trips (grades 5, 6, & 8), Food Pantry elective (grade 7) and the Kol Ami Sanctuary Tour (grade 1).

• PreK is $415
• Grades K-3, 8, 9, and 11/12- $1,045
• Grades 4-7 and 10 (Confirmation) – $1,675

This includes materials, family Shabbat dinner for immediate family, special art projects, and more.

If you aren’t currently a Kol Ami member, you will need to arrange membership. Please reach out to Alison Adler, Director of Member Relations, at alisonadler@nykolami.org or 914-949-4717 x103.

Pam Pass, Religious School Director, is always happy to talk about our wonderful Religious School! You can reach Pam at pampass@nykolami.org or 914-949-4717 x124.