JEWISH EDUCATION
The Greater Philadelphia area offers a wide variety of formal and informal
Jewish educational experiences for Jews of all ages and levels — from toddlers
to senior citizens and from vocational learners to graduate students. There
are Jewish nursery-school programs in many synagogues; Jewish day schools,
Jewish high schools, supplementary schools, many synagogue-based Sunday
and afternoon schools, a college of Jewish studies, a rabbinical college, etc.
Jewish Federation’s Mandell Education Campus, a 28-acre site in Melrose Park,
is home to the Forman Center of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Day
School, Gratz College, a branch of Federation Early Learning Services, as well
as Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Philadelphia. The 35-acre Jewish
Federation Radnor Campus in Delaware County houses the Jack M. Barrack
Hebrew Academy. It accommodates a wide variety of educational and
programming activities. There are also opportunities for Jewish education
at many of the area’s colleges. Area synagogues and communal schools have
educational programs for people of all ages.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Education and Outreach Services
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
1501 N. Broad St., Suite 14 • Philadelphia, PA 19122
and: The Barbara & Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center
345 Montgomery Ave. • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 • 267-314-0909
1-866-JFCS-NOW • info@jfcsphilly.org • jfcsphilly.org
Initiates research-based programs in collaboration with public and private
schools, Jewish day schools, synagogues and other community organizations.
Develops educational programs to help young people to handle the age specific
challenges of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, bullying, violence and sexual
behavior, gambling prevention, substance abuse prevention, violence preven-
tion, suicide prevention, anti-bullying and building a healthy body image.
JFCS also conducts workshops for parents, teachers and other professionals.
Gratz Advance Programs of Gratz College
7605 Old York Road • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-635-7300, ext. 135 • gratzadvance@gratz.edu • gratz.edu/gratzadvance
Offers local and national programs and services associated with Jewish
education for teens and adults.
NEXT: New EXcellent Teacher Training • gratz.edu/NEXT
Strengthens the skills of professionals teaching in the Jewish community.
Course topics and content reflect contemporary issues and best practices.
Gratz Academy • gratz.edu/gratz-academy
Gratz Academy is the high school program of Gratz College, offering
a variety of engaging synchronous, online Jewish Studies and language
courses for teens in grades 8 – 12 and gap-year students. Participants
connect with other teens across North America, fulfill foreign language
requirements with Hebrew and Yiddish language offerings, enhance
resumes and college applications by taking classes and earning certifi-
cates, and earn college credits through our dual enrollment program.
Jewish Learning Venture
261 Old York Road, Suite 720 • Jenkintown, PA 19027
215-320-0360 • info@jewishlearningventure.org • jewishlearningventure.org
Jewish Education and Leadership Development (JELD)
Offers congregational education directors opportunities to learn new
skills and network around shared issues through conferences (Yom
Limmud), single-session workshops and multi-part educational series,
webinars, collaborative cross-congregational working groups and more.
Whole Community Inclusion
Provides workshops, consultation and resources to support Jewish
organizations to make their educational and community programs
more inclusive of individuals with special needs and their families.
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OROT Program
7601 Old York Road • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-935-0020 • info@orotkids.org • orotkids.org
A special needs initiative in the area Jewish day schools. In conjunction with
host day schools, OROT personnel set policy, create and supervise programs,
provide financial support and advocate for services provided to children with
special needs. OROT and the host day schools seek to provide the best possible
curriculum, within a supportive and inclusive environment.
EARLY-CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Early child care and education in the Jewish community are available through
Federation Early Learning Services. Other programs are under the auspices of
synagogues or located in synagogues (operated by private owners) and in Jewish
community centers.
Federation Early Learning Services
Myer and Rosaline Feinstein Campus
10700 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-676-7550 • Fax: 215-676-9498
info@FelsKids.org • FELSKids.org
Provides state-licensed, NAEYC accredited and Keystone Stars top ranking
early childhood centers for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners
and elementary school children in six centers and two public school locations
throughout the Delaware Valley. FELS’ programs have received the highest
attainable ratings by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Typically, enrollment
is full-time, though part-week enrollment is available at some locations. Jewish
programming is an integral part of the curriculum. Parents are viewed as part-
ners and are encouraged to become actively involved in their child’s education.
Parent associations organize educational, social and fundraising activities for
the entire family. Financial assistance available; state subsidy accepted.
Gutman Early Learning Center
7500 West Ave. • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-635-5570, ext. 125 • Fax: 215-635-8155 • Gutman@FelsKids.org
A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, Keystone STAR 4A credentialed,
state licensed center. The center provides early childhood education for
infants, toddlers, preschoolers and children transitioning to kindergar-
ten. The program features a strong enrichment program which includes
Hebrew lessons, Soccer Shots, sign language, creative movement and
music, and more. Two snacks and lunch are provided. A summer camp
with an in-ground pool and specialists is open to the community.
Kehillah Early Learning Center
Congregation Ohev Shalom • 2 Chester Road • Wallingford, PA
610-872-0400 • Fax: 215-872-0557 • Kehillah@FelsKids.org
A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, state-licensed program providing early
childhood education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten-
ers, offering more days than most other schools in Jewish environments.
Two snacks are provided. A strong enrichment program includes Israeli
dance, gymnastics, sign language lessons, music and Hebrew, and more. A
summer camp with specialists and water play is open to the community.
Kol Ami Early Learning Center
8201 High School Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-635-4180 • Fax: 215-635-4186 • KolAmi@FELSKids.org
A joint program of Federation Early Learning Center and Congregation
Kol Ami providing early-childhood education programs to toddlers and
preschoolers in a small group setting and offering more days than most
other schools in Jewish environments. Two snacks are provided. Full
day enrollment is 8am – 5pm except Fridays when closing is at 3pm in
observance of Shabbat. Part week and part day options available. A secular
curriculum is complemented by a Jewish curriculum integrating the syna-
gogue’s rabbi, cantor and a Hebrew specialist. Fitness, sign language and
special events enrich the year-round camp program.
K’tonton Early Learning Center
Congregation Beth El-Ner Tamid
715 Paxon Hollow Road • Broomall, PA 19003
610-325-4831 • Fax: 610-356-8091 • Ktonton@FelsKids.org
A joint program of Federation Early Learning Center and Congregation
Beth El-Ner Tamid that is nationally (NAEYC) accredited, Keystone STAR
4A credentialed and state licensed program that provides early childhood
education for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Provides part week or full-
time options for most ages and more days than most other schools in Jewish
environments. Two snacks are provided. Offers specialists, including Hebrew
enrichment, Soccer Shots, kinetics, etc. A summer camp program open to
the community includes sports, water play, specialists in Israeli dance, yoga,
music, and more.
Lassin Early Learning Center
Myer and Rosaline Feinstein Campus
10800 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-677-7191 • Fax: 215-969-3502 • Lassin@FelsKids.org
A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, Keystone STAR 4A, state-licensed
center providing early childhood education for infants, toddlers and
preschoolers. Two snacks and lunch are provided. A summer camp
with water play and specialists is open to the community.
Paley Early Learning Center
2199 Strahle St. • Philadelphia, PA 19152
215-725-8930 • Fax: 215-742-2349 • Paley@FelsKids.org
A nationally (NAEYC) accredited, state-licensed program providing
early care and education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kinder-
garten-aged children. Also offers an after school program for children
ages 6 through 11 years old. This center has achieved a four-star rating
through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Keystone Stars Quality
Initiative Program. Offers specialists including sign language, creative
movement, music, computers and more. A summer-camp program
with an Olympic-size pool, swim instruction and specialists is open to
the community.
Gan Simcha Program — Torah U’Mitzvos
Two centers: 1) Gutman Center • 7500 West Ave., Melrose Park, PA
2) Paley Center • 2199 Strahle St., Philadelphia, PA
Judaic program providing an Orthodox education with FRUM-degreed
Lakewood teachers that prepares 3 and 4 year old children to excel in
Jewish day schools. The program features an enrichment program
offering activities like Soccer Shots, sign language, music. Orthodox
dietary laws are observed.
SYNAGOGUE-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The following listings for educational programs for children in the Greater
Philadelphia area was prepared by the (former) Jewish Information and Referral
Service. Synagogue schools generally require family membership.
KEY: I : Infant care (up to 12 months)
T: Toddler (13 to 36 months)
PS: Preschool (3 to 4 years)
K: Kindergarten
FELS: Federation Early Learning Service
SE: Supplementary religious elementary
SHS: Supplementary religious high school
ASC: After-school care (K-6)
SN: Special needs inclusion
AE: Adult education classes
Adath Israel of the Main Line
Merion • 610-934-1920 • adathisrael.org • Conservative
I (10 months+), T (1 years plus), PS, K, SE, (LMAHH: SHS), SN, AE
Congregation Adath Jeshurun
Elkins Park • 215-635-1337 • adathjeshurun.info
Conservative • I, T, PS, SE (JQuest), ASC, SHS, SN
Congregation B’nai Jacob
Phoenixville • 610-933-5550 • congbj.org • Conservative • SE, AE
Congregation Beth Am Israel
Penn Valley • 610-667-1651 • bethamisrael.org • Conservative
E, (LMAHH: SHS), SN
Beth Chaim Reform Congregation
Malvern • 215-640-2147 • bethchaim.net • Reform • K, SE, SHS, AE
Beiteinu Haverford • 484-432-0931 • beiteinu.org • Independent • SE, AE
Bensalem Jewish Kollel and Outreach Center
Bensalem, PA 19020 • 215-752-5032 • bjoc@bensalemoutreach.org
Orthodox • PS, AE
Beth David Reform Congregation
Gladwyne • 610-649-0272 • bdavid.org • Reform • SE, SHS, AE
Congregation Beth El of Lower Bucks County
Yardley • 215-493-1707 • bethelyardley.org • Conservative • SE, SHS, SN, AE
Congregation Beth El-Ner Tamid
Broomall • 610-356-8700 • cbent.org • Conservative
(FELS: I, T, PS), K, SE, SHS, SN
Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El
Wynnewood • 610-649-2277 • tbhbe.org • Conservative
I, T, PS, K, SE, (LMAHH: SHS), ASC, SN, AE
Beth Israel Congregation of Chester County
Eagle • 610-458-8550 • bethisraelpa.org • Conservative
T, PS, K, ASC (K), SE, SHS, AE
Congregation Beth Israel of Media
Media • 610-566-4645 • bethisraelmedia.org • Reconstructing J • PS, K, SE, AE
Congregation Beth Or
Maple Glen • 215-646-5806 • bethor.org • Reform
I, T, PS, K, ASC, SE, SHS, SN, AE
Beth Sholom Congregation
Elkins Park • 215-887-3625 • bethsholomcongregation.org
Conservative • I, T, PS, SE (JQuest), SHS, AE
THE GUIDE 2020/2021
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