Wilshire Boulevard Temple
Religious School
About Us
At its core, Wilshire Boulevard Temple Religious School embraces the philosophy of reform Judaism - practicing Jewish traditions, ideals and faith, with 21st century sensibilities, innovations, and realities.
Emphasizing mitzvot, values, and rituals, especially tikkun olam, we offer flexible and engaging learning options including: weekly classes, monthly programs, in-home religious school and bar/bat mitzvah preparation, a variety of high school programs, youth groups, retreats, and service learning trips. Upper grade students often choose more than one of our many exciting and challenging options.
With community building as the foundation of all religious school experiences, we provide an environment for active, living Judaism that is sensitive to students’ busy, often overextended schedules. Throughout all of our programming, we ultimately strive to develop each student’s desire for a continued connection to Judaism, our community, Los Angeles, and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What grade should I enroll my student?
- My daughter/son really wants to be in the class with their friend and this is the only way I can get them to go. Is this possible?
- When does it happen?
- What are the first days of school?
- My child has learning differences. Can they still come?
- Can I come check it out?
- Do I have to be a member?
- Is there an attendance requirement?
- How much does it cost?
- What if my spouse isn’t Jewish?
- My child is only with me every other week. Can they still come?
- What will they be doing in class?
- Once my child starts Bar or Bat Mitzvah tutoring, do they still need to come to Religious School?
- Is my child allowed to bring a friend to RS?
- I still have questions!
What grade should I enroll my student?
It’s never too early! Of course, it is our hope is that all of our students start in Kindergarten and make Religious School something they love coming to all the way up through high school (and then they return to teach!)
We understand that every family’s needs are different and we will work with all of our students to make sure they can participate in the learning whenever they start. Preparation for bar or bat mitzvah formally begins in grade three.
My daughter/son really wants to be in the class with their friend and this is the only way I can get them to go. Is this possible?
We hope so--the sooner you complete your registration, the more likely we can help!
Students feel more comfortable and look forward to coming to Religious School when there is a familiar face in the room, especially when the class meets much less frequently than their day school. We do our best to accommodate friend requests, but we must also take into consideration class size, and the ratio of boys and girls in the room.
When does it happen?
What are the first days of school?
Head on over to our Calendar for more information!
My child has learning differences. Can they still come?
As a team of experienced, Jewish educators, the Religious School leadership has a lot of experience with children who learn differently and have very special needs - both professionally and personally. Our goal for Religious School students? To inspire a love of Judaism through celebration, tradition, customs, community, and fun. What each family and student want out of our school is very different. We provide the framework: a supportive, passionate, dedicated and hopefully rock star staff/team, and then work incredibly hard to meet the individual needs of our students.
We have had many students with learning differences who have loved our program over the years. This has been the case when parents work with us each year, telling us what they do and do not want for their children, setting realistic goals and having supports in place. Even then, with both our school and the family trying their best, it sometimes doesn't work out. But it has never been because of teasing or a student feeling alienated, or unsupported. Several of our students skip Hebrew in the first hour because that is just not something they aspire to or can learn at this time in their lives due to many other challenges (although many still have Bar/Bat Mitzvah) and accommodations are of course made for this.
Can I come check it out?
Do I have to be a member?
Yes, becoming a member of Wilshire Boulevard Temple is part of the Religious School registration process.
We warmly welcome everyone to attend a worship service or special program, and to experience what our congregation has to offer. To learn more, please contact Esther Cohen, Membership Director, at (213) 835-2132 or ecohen@wbtla.org.
Is there an attendance requirement?
There is! Hebrew and prayer learning ramps up in grades 3-6, as part of cumulative curriculum leading up to their bar or bat mitzvah. In order to stay on track, we require 70% attendance, or approximately 18 class meetings. Many of our students have sports, enrichments and other commitments, so we will do the best we can to help your kids not fall behind. This may take the form of at-home practice with some of our recommended Hebrew apps and games, make-up classes on another day during the week, or we might make arrangements for the students to come by the office after school for 30 minutes of drop-in Hebrew help.
How much does it cost?
Please see our Classes & Tuition page for more information.
What if my spouse isn’t Jewish?
My child is only with me every other week. Can they still come?
What will they be doing in class?
It depends on the day and grade level. Learn more about our curriculum at our Program Offerings page.
Once my child starts Bar or Bat Mitzvah tutoring, do they still need to come to Religious School?
Yes! Bar and Bat Mitzvah tutoring is separate from the learning that takes place in Religious School. Head over to our B'nei Mitzvah page to learn more about our programs.
Is my child allowed to bring a friend to RS?
We always welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s Religious School. Students may bring the same guest twice each year. If you plan to bring a guest, please be sure to alert the Religious School office in advance so that teachers may be prepared. This information/release form must be completed and brought to the office.