At Temple, we believe that Jewish education – at all ages – leads to personal empowerment, building community, and making meaning of our lives. When we cultivate knowledge, we acquire wisdom.
We create environments where learners are able to craft Jewish journeys of substance and relevance. We explore what it means to be Jewish and how to translate learnings from the synagogue or classroom into action and, therefore, into changed behavior in the outside world.
Our hope is that congregants will make wise choices based on Jewish learning and values in their everyday lives.
Temple offers education for all, encouraging the youngest among us to learn how to ask good questions and the oldest to continue questioning our world. We believe the key to knowing how to be in the world is to overlay da’at (knowledge) with chochma (wisdom).
Ours is a kehillah kedosha (sacred community). We invite you to join us and learn with one another.
Programs
Early Childhood Education
Learning begins at birth! For families with young children, we offer a range of family-friendly events and programs that encourage learning and social development for the little ones and adult camaraderie and support for parents.
Jennifer Rosen Meade Preschool (JRM) encourages children to learn through discovery, exploration, creative thinking, and problem solving. Children as young as three months are welcomed for day care. Our developmentally appropriate, child-centered program and warm and nurturing environment prepares children for kindergarten and for life.
Bridge Family Religion School
The Bridge Family Religion School (BFRS) is a vibrant Reform Jewish educational experience for students and families from kindergarten through 12th grade.
We offer learning opportunities for students and their families that infuse the modern issues of our times with a deep and relevant connection to our history, traditions, and culture, inspiring a lifelong dedication to Jewish learning and community.
For students who are ready to prepare for their b’nai mitzvah, please visit our B’nai Mitzvah Hub.
Youth Groups
Designed to empower our teens to embrace Reform Judaism, these programs create challenging, fun, relevant, and meaningful Jewish experiences.
Middle and high school students connect in social and educational settings which encourage community, activism, and independence.
Jewish Camping
Jewish overnight camp is an integral component in building and strengthening a young person’s Jewish identity and provides a safe and independent space for children and teens to meet lifelong friends and incorporate Judaism into everyday life.
Kids who attend Jewish summer camp are more likely to engage in Jewish life as adults (plus, it’s really fun!).
Adult Education
Learning is a lifelong activity! Temple has an abundance of educational options for adults to listen, learn, and connect.
We offer serious study of the Torah and Hebrew language as well as monthly topical interest programs and Introduction to Judaism classes.
Libraries
Temple De Hirsch Sinai has three libraries – the Samuel Rosenberg Memorial Library (Seattle), Spitzer Family Library (Bellevue), and Benjamin Zukor Children’s Library (Seattle & Bellevue) — which house over 10,000 volumes covering a wide range of Judaic topics including spirituality, history, holidays, cooking, fiction, and more.
All Temple members have library borrowing privileges.