The Jewish Education Center of Nashua offers a unique, innovative approach to Jewish Education. Why don’t we call it “Hebrew School”? First, because we learn much more than Hebrew! We experience all things Jewish including values, traditions, texts, culture, people and more! And second, with our “voice and choice” approach to learning, it does not feel like a school!
The Jewish Education Center of Nashua (JECoN) is a hands-on, experiential learning center where the learners are in their driver’s seat, empowered from a young age to make choices about what style of learning is best for them, how they would like to explore Jewish living, and to utilize their talents and interests to explore Judaism so they can create their own, personal Jewish identity.
Our center offers the following spaces:
We believe that the best learning happens when we are allowed freedom and choice. When students are encouraged to pursue personal interests and explore lessons in meaningful ways, they are more likely to internalize the curricular goals.
At our Education Center, students explore their own connection to Judaism through the study of Jewish heritage and traditions, texts and stories, holidays and Shabbat. We learn as a community while also honoring our individuality. Our ultimate goal is to foster a love of Judaism – however it manifests for each individual person.
Children in the PreK-K age group spend the entire morning with their group and teacher. They study the same topic as the older students through an interactive, developmentally appropriate approach in which they are offered voice and choice while participating in activities designed for them by our expert educator. Nature and science, playful activities, Hebrew vocabulary as well as artistic projects are integrated into the day's plan.
During our Sunday program for grades 1-5, children begin the day with Modern Hebrew learning. We focus on meaningful vocabulary (family members, body parts, weather words, colors, and of course holy day and ritual object terms.) Your child will use hands-on and experiential tools to learn letters, vowels and words that Hebrew speakers use regularly. This is a very different approach to Hebrew learning! We strive for your child to gain Hebrew skills that can be used for modern Hebrew conversation, as well as the comfortable use of Siddur and Torah.
Each Sunday, students have some time to enjoy a snack, the fresh outdoors air in our backyard garden or simply chat with friends. We then gather as a community of learners to introduce the topic of the day. This may look like a group activity, storytelling, song and movement or a conversation.
During the Judaic portion of our Sunday program, children explore the daily topic through a choice of their interest area. Each Sunday, the child has a choice of exploring the day's lesson through art, drama or science. Expert instructors are available in each room to guide the child in the chosen space with the appropriate resources and materials to maximize their learning. On any given Sunday, you will likely see a group deep in artistic focus, another is an active scientific discovery, and yet another in an animated dramatic role-play. No matter the elected area - engaged, meaningful learning is taking place while having fun!
Our center offers a well stocked children's Jewish library, with books about many Jewish topics! From holidays, to Torah stories, to chapter books and Jewish history - there is a book for every age and interest. You can borrow books to take home, or read onsite on our comfy beanbags! to schedule a time to stop by, email Ellie Schwartz.