JEWISH LEARNING EXPERIENCES (JLE) at Tikkun v’Or (“jelly”) provides creative, interactive, and progressive Reform Jewish education for children in kindergarten through 7th grade. Our curriculum includes history, holidays, ethics, Torah, Israel, and Hebrew. Classes meet on Sunday mornings. Sixth and seventh grade students also meet on Wednesdays for additional Hebrew studies and preparation for becoming b-mitzvah.

We welcome all Jewish students, regardless of the childs’ and parent(s)’ religious backgrounds, ethnic identities, race, family configuration, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. We have many interfaith LGBTQ+ families and children, people who are newly discovering Jewish connections, as well as those with a wide range of Jewish experiences.

We are pleased to work with many different kinds of learners, including students with special challenges. We will do our best to accommodate and nurture all students “al pi darko” (“according to their ways”).

Naomi Wilensky is the Education Director. Our teachers are community members and college students from nearby Ithaca College and Cornell University. Middle and high school students help out as madrichim. Parent volunteers are always welcome, especially to help with our chugim (electives) — a chance for students to choose activities such as Jewish music, cooking, art, dance, and more. We use the Hineini: The New Hebrew for Prayer series as a resource text for Hebrew.

Our schedule in 2021-2022

Kitah Bet (grade 2) and Kitah Gimel (grade 3) meets from 9 am – 10:20 am on Sunday.

Kitah Daled (grade 4) and Kitah Hey (grade 6) meets from 10:30 am – 12 on Sundays.

Kitah Vav (6th grade) and Kitah Zayin (grade 7) meets from 9 am – 12 on Sundays, and from 4:30-6 pm on Wednesdays.

This is a special schedule for this year to limit the number of students in the building at any one time. We want everyone to be safe and healthy!

On most weeks we gather as a community for tefillah (prayer) and ruach (spirited singing!). We often have special guests join us for ha-asharah (enrichment).

Read the JLE Handbook.

More information and the full JLE calendar can be viewed here.

In 2021-2022, Kitah Gan and Alef (kindergarten and grade 1) is a FAMILY JLE program, meeting from 10-11:30 am on one Saturday a month. Family JLE is for students in kindergarten and first grade, with at least one parent or caregiver staying for the program. Rabbi Tziona Szajman will lead activities for holidays, Shabbat, and Torah learning. It will include music, movement, stories, and crafts, and learning opportunities for children and adults.

Online registration for JLE (grades 2-7 ) and for Family JLE (grades K and 1) for 2021-2022 is now closed. Please contact naomi.wilensky@tikkunvor.org for information.

Family JaM (Joy and Meaning) is for young children (toddlers, pre-schoolers, siblings) and their families. Programs this year include gourd-decorating in the sukkah, meeting in parks, and other fun ideas for families with little ones!

Tuition assistance is provided by Ithaca Area United Jewish Community. Requests for assistance should be sent attn: Presidents. Please fill out this tuition assistance form.

Summer Camp: Has your child been talking about overnight camp? Have you looked at Jewish overnight camps? Ask about IAUJC Summer Camp and Teen Experience Camperships or download an application here. More information about Jewish camps is available at iaujc.org,

April 2022: Students at JLE made their own movements for the Seder song.

Spring 2021: Name-based art