JEWL
Temple Israel’s learning community
for kindergarten through high school.
Jewish Experiential Whole-Person Learning
JEWL inspires a love and passion for Judaism grounded in Jewish values and nourished by art, music, and the natural world. As learners connect with Jewish heritage, texts, Hebrew language, and Israel, they see themselves reflected in Judaism and develop a sense of belonging. Exploring the diversity of Jewish traditions and wrestling with ideas about God, community, and spirituality supports our students in making life choices rooted in Jewish wisdom.
JEWL is a home for diverse Jewish backgrounds and experiences, learning styles and needs, abilities and disabilities, and genders and gender expressions; people of color; LGBTQ people; and interfaith families.
Kindergarten through
second grade
Classes meet on Sunday mornings.
View details for Kindergarten through second grade classes.
Third through
fifth grade
Classes meet on Sunday mornings and Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons.
View details for third through fifth grade classes.
Middle JEWL
Classes meet on Sundays and include special experiences of community to deepen relationships among learners, such as our five 6th-grade Shabbat experiences and four 7th and 8th-grade Shabbat experiences. Learners also develop leadership skills as they prepare to celebrate becoming b’nai mitzvah.
View details of Middle JEWL classes.
High School JEWL
JEWL’s High School years provide opportunities to deepen connections with peers and Temple Israel’s clergy. Learners build their personal Jewish identities as teens while tackling the challenges of being a citizen of the world. Each Wednesday evening session includes snacks for all learners together.
View details of High School JEWL classes.
Hello JEWL Families!
We are excited to welcome your children for a meaningful year of Jewish Experiential Whole-Person Learning (JEWL).
It is going to be a year of learning, laughter, and important Jewish moments together.
The KEY DATES and PROGRAM OVERVIEW below will help you plan your school year.
Opening Day: Sunday, September 27. This is a later start this year due to the timing of the High Holy Days.
JEWL Open House: Friday, October 2, 4:00-6:00 p.m. A wonderful opportunity to meet your child(ren)’s teachers and see their classrooms. Dinner will be available, followed by a Family Shabbat Service and Simchat Torah celebration.
Consecration Service: Sunday, October 4, 11:00 a.m. This beautiful family service recognizes students beginning their Jewish religious education journey, typically those in Kindergarten and new students.
GRADE SCHEDULES
Kindergarten-6th Grade meets 23 Sundays during the school year.
Choose one session: 8:45-10:45 a.m., please be aware that this session will fill quickly OR 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
3rd-6th Grade Hebrew School
4:15-6:15 p.m.
Choose one option: Tuesdays at Adath Jeshurun Congregation (Western Campus) OR Wednesdays at Temple Israel
UPDATES FOR OLDER GRADES
7th Grade meets Tuesdays OR Wednesdays. There is no fee for returning 6th graders (registration still required). Classes meet when not in B’nai Mitzvah training.
8th Grade meets five Sundays, 8:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. This class is a multi-faith exploration across Minneapolis.
9th-10th Grade meets Sundays, 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. This class has a leadership development focus. Students in this class are encouraged to join the Madrichim program (8:45-10:45 a.m.).
11th-12th Grade students are invited to take on a meaningful role in the Madrichim program.
MADRICHIM PROGRAM
This program is open to 9th and 10th-graders enrolled in JEWL and all 11th and 12th-graders. Madrichim participants support classrooms and help bring the JEWL program to life.
THANK YOU! We are so glad your family is part of our community, and we look forward to the year ahead!
Questions? Concerns? Please reach out to JEWL@templeisrael.com.
JEWL’s educational philosophy is rooted in these principles:
Relational Judaism
JEWL cultivates a culture of kindness so that our learners experience a sense of belonging, form positive memories and develop friendships. We learn with partners, in small groups, and as a class.
Experiential & Project-Based Learning
JEWL encourages exploration, playfulness, and discovery and often encourages learning to work toward a meaningful concrete outcome.
Whole-Person Learning
JEWL addresses and honors the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, ethical, and spiritual aspects of learners' lives within and beyond the classroom. We layer the curriculum to expand the previous year’s content and challenge our learners to go deeper as they grow as members of their families, the wider community, and as global citizens.