Kesher Studies

Registration and Fees

Membership is required to enroll in our Kesher program (grades Kindergarten through 12th grade). Membership at Woodlands is done through a pledge system, where each household is asked to complete a commitment card, pledging the amount of financial support they will provide to Woodlands in the coming year. Become a member and make your pledge here.

While your member pledge amount is at your discretion, Kesher and B’nai mitzvah fees are fixed.Our B-Mitzvah fees (currently $4,675), separate from the Kesher registration costs, are amortized over three years (5th grade through 7th grade) so that the full cost isn’t a hardship for our families. This covers all of the support and expenses associated with a child’s B-Mitzvah preparation and ceremony. If a child enrolls in our program after 5th grade, the cost is amortized accordingly. It is billed after your child is enrolled in the fifth grade.

If you require financial assistance in order to make participation in Kesher or B-Mitzvah's possible, please contact our Executive Director (haya@wct.org) to make a confidential arrangement.

Kesher Tuition 5784 (2023-2024)

Temple Tots: $36
K-Grade 3: $180
Grades 4-12: $900

B-Mitzvah Fees
5th grade: $1,800
6th grade: $1,550
7th grade: $1,325

If you are a WCT member: click here to register for Kesher. 

For more information, including to set up a tour, contact Sarah Canfield-Dafilou, our Director of Congregational Learning, at sarah@wct.org.

Kesher Calendar

Early Childhood
 

Shalom Storytime (ages 0-2) - Saturdays, 9:30-10:00 am
Parents/grandparents/caregivers and little ones will make friends at this FREE program, as we enjoy singing and hearing stories about the Jewish holidays. This class is taught by Laurie Leibowitz, our fabulous early childhood educator, with music provided by our renowned song leader, Kenny Green! No need to be a temple member or to RSVP, just come be a part of the fun (we do start on time, though!)

2023-2024 dates:
10/21, 11/4, 12/9, 1/20, 2/10, 3/2, 4/13, and Sun, 5/5, 10am-12pm, Kesher Picnic & Siyyum
(K-6, Temple Tots & Shalom Storytime)


Temple Tots (ages 3 and 4) - Once a month on Saturday mornings
Through music, stories, and hands-on projects, these Jewish holiday-oriented sessions are designed to meaningfully engage children at a young age. This class for children with their parent/grandparent/caregiver is taught by Laurie Leibowitz, our fabulous early childhood educator, with music provided by our renowned song leader, Kenny Green! Registration for the year is $36 - no need to be a temple member. Register at wct.org/templetots. 

2023-2024 dates: 
9/23, 10/28, 11/18 12/16, 1/6, 2/3, 3/9, 4/6, and Sun, 5/5, 10am-12pm, Kesher Picnic & Siyyum
(K-6, Temple Tots & Shalom Storytime).
 

Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grades

Weekly on Saturdays, 9:00am-11:00am

In our Shabbat school, our goal is to build community among families, to develop a child’s comfort level in the synagogue, and to begin to build a solid foundation as the students learn about Judaism. The morning will begin by bringing the K-2 community together for songs, prayers, stories, and some sillies. Students also participate in interactive learning with their grade level classes.
 

3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Grades

Participants begin to develop a deeper understanding of Jewish prayer, language, calendar, history, and peoplehood. Hebrew learning deepens in these grades. Students master the Hebrew aleph-bet and blessings in anticipation of becoming b’nai mitzvah and lifelong Jewish engagement. In addition to classroom activities, community building is an important aspect of all Kesher initiatives. Each session includes a half hour of “community time” where students experience prayer, music, and bonding activities together. These grades also take part in immersive experiences like the 3rd/4th Grade Late Night, 5th/6th Retreat and field trips to NYC. Family learning programs are opportunities for parents to connect and learn with their children. 

In grades 4-6, Hebrew instruction increases, including Hebrew reading practice in small groups, customized to meet individual learning needs.

Class times:

3rd grade: Sundays 9:00 - 11:00 am

4th-6th grades: Sundays 9:00 – 11:00 am and Thursdays 4:00-6:00 pm

7th Grade

Seventh graders spend their year preparing to become b’nai mitzvah and to engage in lifelong Jewish engagement. The students continue to perfect their Hebrew language skills and prayers as well as explore what it means to “become a b-mitzvah” through text study and the social action-focused “Mitzvah Challenge.” Our 7th graders also learn about denominations of Judaism, Israel and the Holocaust in order to understand their connection to Judaism and the Jewish people. 

Seventh graders and their parents connect and learn together at Family Torah Study sessions on four Sunday mornings and four Thursdays evenings with Rabbi Mara.

7th Grade Classes meet Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.

Academy (8-12 grades)

The majority of our b’nai mitzvah continue their Jewish education by attending our renowned Academy program. Acknowledging our students’ growing maturity and knowledge of Judaism, Academy is a combination of special programming, elective courses, social action, and peer mentoring. Program also includes immersive retreats and experiences with the Reform Movement. Students explore how to engage thoughtfully with their peers and society, becoming thoughtful, motivated Jews. 10th grade year consists of the milestone of Confirmation and 12th grade culminates in a special Graduation ceremony.

Academy meets Mondays from 6:00-8:00pm. Dinner is served.