Milton & Rosalyn Z. Wolf Education Center
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARK SYNAGOGUE WOLF RELIGIOUS SCHOOL:
At every stage, Park Synagogue offers our youngest congregants through their teen years a place to learn, lead, and live Jewishly — in ways that are meaningful, relevant, and deeply connected to community.
THE LITTLES
FREE & OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY! Join us for a warm, engaging Sunday morning program designed especially for toddlers aged 13–34 months and their Very Important Adult (parent, grandparent, or caregiver). Each session features hands-on activities, songs, stories, and play — all with a joyful Jewish twist!
This program is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, build community, and explore Jewish values and traditions through age-appropriate experiences. Perfect for parents who work during the week, our Sunday morning gatherings make space for meaningful bonding time with your child and other young families.
SUNDAY PRESCHOOL, JR. KINDERGARTEN & KINDERGARTEN
Sunday mornings – 9:30 – 11:45am
Our Sunday School for our Preschool, Jr. Kindergarten & Kindergarten program lays a foundation for our young congregants to develop their Jewish identity. In a hands-on, nurturing environment, the children are introduced to everything Jewish. The morning begins with morning blessings with the Clergy in our new Children’s Holy Space. Weekly activities include Bible stories, holiday traditions, Israel, and mitzvot. Mindful yoga, Israeli dance, Jewish & holiday songs, and storytelling round out the morning. Updates on our social media platforms details a hug array of holiday & mitzvot programs targeting this age group.
FIRST GRADE
First Grade is the Consecration year! Sunday School continues to lay a foundation for our young congregants to develop their Jewish identity. The first-grade year focuses on Bible stories; the symbols, traditions, and meanings of holiday celebrations; and the building of Hebrew language, vocabulary, and prayer skills. The morning begins with morning blessings with the Clergy in our new Holy Space. Special activities include mindful yoga, Israeli dance, Jewish & holiday songs, and a special mitzvah project at Thanksgiving. New for this year - the learning continues on Thursday afternoons: First graders join our Thursday afternoon Weekday School with emphasis on language acquisition and a challah making class.
Day School students join us second semester and are welcome to register first semester for All-Star Thursdays. All culminates in the joyful Consecration Ceremony, this year on May 17, 2025, when Park’s first graders are ceremoniously welcomed to the synagogue community.
SECOND-SIXTH GRADE SUNDAY PROGRAM
A Joyful Journey of Jewish Learning
Our vibrant Sunday mornings are thoughtfully designed to integrate home life, synagogue life, and formal classroom learning, helping students build a strong Jewish identity rooted in community, tradition, and personal meaning.
Through an engaging spiral curriculum, students explore key areas of Jewish life and learning:
Hebrew and Prayer
Bible and Jewish History
Israel and Jewish Holidays
Mitzvot and Jewish Values
Learning is active and joyful, with grade-level classes and school-wide specials such as mindful yoga, Israeli Dance, Jewish music, guest literary artists and more.
Throughout the year, families are invited to participate in family education days and grade-level programs, building community and reinforcing learning at home.
Our 5th and 6th graders dive deeper with a special focus on B'nai Mitzvah preparation, developing skills and knowledge that will support them on their journey — not just toward their big day, but toward a lifetime of Jewish learning and connection.
ALL-STAR THURSDAY HEBREW SCHOOL
Thursday afternoons come alive with the sights, sounds, and spirit of Shabbat! Our 1st–6th grade students dive into a rich and meaningful experience that combines Hebrew learning, prayer, and hands-on preparation for Shabbat — all in a joyful, community-focused environment.
Each Thursday includes:
✨ Hebrew Immersion Classes led by our teachers and an Israeli ShinShin, bringing authentic language exposure and cultural connection.
✨ A student-led full Mincha service, giving students the opportunity to actively participate in and grow their comfort with Hebrew prayer.
✨ Challah-making — students braid and take home their own challah each week, bringing the warmth of the classroom to their Shabbat tables.
✨ Shabbat rituals and preparation, exploring the meaning behind the traditions. with the whole school, where students proudly practice their prayer skills and witness their growth week after week.
This immersive program helps students build confidence in their Hebrew abilities, deepen their understanding of Shabbat, and connect with their peers in a vibrant Jewish learning community.
SIXTH GRADE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION & BAR/BAT MITZVAH CLUB – CELEBRATING ITS 101ST YEAR!
6th Grade Sundays: A Year of Meaningful Preparation and Personal Discovery
From August to December, our 6th-grade students engage in a two-pronged curriculum that balances B’nai Mitzvah preparation with heritage exploration:
🕍 B’nai Mitzvah Preparation
Students begin their journey by learning about tefillin, tallit, and the Torah service, building a deeper understanding of the rituals and meaning behind the synagogue experience.
🌍 International Heritage Program
In partnership with the Museum of the Jewish People, students participate in an inspiring global competition that connects over 20,000 Jewish youth in more than 30 countries. Through this creative heritage project, students research their family roots and design an original artistic expression of their Jewish story — celebrating identity, ancestry, and personal connection.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Club – Park Synagogue Celebrates its 101st year January - May
ALL sixth-grade synagogue members — including PSWRS students, day school students, and their families — come together for a powerful intergenerational experience that brings meaning, connection, and community to the B’nai Mitzvah journey.
Led by Rabbi Skoff and supported by our clergy, faculty, and Education Department, the B’nai Mitzvah Club offers:
Family learning on prayer and Jewish identity
Guest speakers and interactive learning
Mitzvah projects and community service
Breakfast and discussion in a warm, welcoming environment
Opportunities for parents and grandparents to learn and grow alongside their children
This dynamic year balances individual exploration, family involvement, and community connection, ensuring that each student feels prepared — and inspired — as they move toward their B’nai Mitzvah and beyond.
SEVENTH GRADE
7th Grade Sundays: A Year of Celebration, Heritage, and Leadership
Seventh grade marks a pivotal chapter in our students’ Jewish journey as they celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah and begin stepping into new roles within the community. On Sunday mornings, students continue their preparation by deepening their connection to Jewish ritual and heritage:
🕍 B’nai Mitzvah Preparation
Students explore the significance of tefillin, tallit, and the Torah service, enhancing their understanding of the sacred traditions they are stepping into as Jewish adults.
🌍 International Heritage Program
In partnership with the Museum of the Jewish People, our 7th graders join over 20,000 Jewish youth from 30+ countries in a meaningful exploration of personal and collective identity. Students research their family roots and create original artistic projects that bring their Jewish heritage to life.
🎶 Klezmer Teen Band (Optional)
Students with a passion for music may choose to join our Klezmer Teen Band, developing skills in Jewish musical traditions and performing at synagogue and community events.
Second Semester: Leadership and Community Connection
As students complete their B’nai Mitzvah celebrations, they are invited to give back and grow forward by becoming a:
🌟 Madrich-in-Training (MIT)
Through our Madrichim Leadership Program, students may step into a new role as helpers and role models in our classrooms. As MITs, they’ll gain hands-on experience, leadership skills, and a deeper sense of belonging within the Park Synagogue learning community.
Seventh grade is not just about reaching a milestone — it’s about becoming part of something larger. Through heritage exploration, ritual learning, music, and leadership, our students are empowered to carry their Jewish identity forward with pride and purpose.
CHAI-ER LEARNING
Post–B’nai Mitzvah Pathways: 8th–12th Grades at Park Synagogue
Explore. Lead. Connect. Grow.
After becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Jewish learning doesn’t end — it expands. At Park Synagogue, our 8th–12th grade programs are designed to deepen identity, build leadership skills, and keep students connected to their community through dynamic and flexible options.
8th & 9th Grades
What’s Next? Everything.
Eighth and ninth graders can customize their Jewish learning journey through a variety of enriching opportunities:
✔ Madrich Program (Teacher Aide)
Serve as classroom helpers and role models in the Religious School while developing leadership skills.
✔ Klezmer Teen Band
Make music and celebrate Jewish culture by joining our spirited Klezmer ensemble.
✔ Sunday Morning Learning
Engage in thought-provoking discussions on ethics, justice, and Jewish identity with our teachers & clergy.
✔ Field Trips & Travel
Students participate in experiential learning through field trips to sites like the Maltz Museum, Federal Judge Polster’s courtroom, and other culturally significant venues. Jewish Identity and exploration begins in 8th Grade with the IC Next Community Program for non-Day School students – Spring Break trip to Israel.
Ninth Grade Civil Rights Journey partnering with Akiva High School
November 2–4
Travel to Atlanta, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Selma to explore the intersections of Jewish and American civil rights history in this transformative, multi-day experience.
10th Grade: Confirmation
A cherished Park Synagogue tradition, Confirmation is open to all 10th graders. This meaningful milestone celebrates students’ continuing commitment to Jewish life. One highlight is the Tenth grade Heritage Trip to NYC this year.
11th & 12th Grades - College-Bound with Jewish Values
High school juniors and seniors meet monthly with Rabbi Skoff in a seminar designed to help teens stay connected to Jewish life as they prepare for college and beyond. Topics include:
Ethics and Jewish decision-making
Compassion and community
Prayer, ritual, and spiritual growth
✔ JNF Teen Summit @ The Global Conference — Connect with teens from across the U.S. and Israel in a powerful experience of leadership and Zionism.
For More Information:
Contact Teri Hochberg, Director of Education at (216) 371-2244, ext. 125.