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’nai 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.
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.
Tuition assistance is provided by Ithaca Area United Jewish Community. Requests for assistance should be sent attn: Presidents.
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,
In 2020-2021 we are held all our classes virtually. Here is some Hebrew prayer art our vav/zayin students created:
A few highlights from 2018-2020:
