Our Jewish Children’s Education Program (JCEP), provides our children with strong connections to Jewish traditions, culture, and ethics as well as prayers and the Hebrew language.
From age 6 thru 12, children dive into Jewish living and Hebrew prayers within a warm and supportive environment. Our program features dedicated parent-teachers and intimate class sizes, ensuring that every child receives personalized attention. At Kol Ami, we make religious education an enjoyable and engaging adventure.
We are happy to connect you with a teacher to learn more about the program. You may also schedule a time to observe a class. Families must be or become Kol Ami members before enrolling their children. The additional registration fee for JCEP is $500 for one child; $750 if you enroll two or more children.
The curriculum emphasizes Jewish traditions, stories and values, and history, as well as Hebrew. We group children into small classes based on age and abilities. at the UUCA except when the dates coincide with Jewish holidays or school breaks. School year starts: Sunday September 8 with Orientation & Meet the Teachers 3:30 pm & First Class 4:30 pm. Generally, the class time is divided into two periods: (1) Hebrew and tefilah/prayer, and (2) Judaic subjects such as ethics, Torah, history, and culture.
Parents receive reports from teachers about what happened in class and the homework via a Google Groups listserv which you will be added to upon enrollment of your child. The final year of JCEP helps train students to learn the Torah service, as well as how to study a Torah portion. For kids who choose to have a B-Mitzvah ceremony, this will serve as useful preparation. More information on Kol Ami’s “B-Mitzvah” program can be found here.
Andrew Keller
Andrew will be teaching Jewish Studies to the Intermediate class. He is part of an interfaith family, grew up in Alabama (Roll Tide), and plays ping pong. This is Andrew’s third year teaching JCEP. He hopes to help the students deepen their knowledge of Jewish traditions and culture, while also having some fun.
Ari Jacobson
Ari has been our regular monthly Kids’ Shabbat leader and his services have been a wonderful addition to our congregation. A Music Specialist with the DC JCC, Ari has worked and taught at numerous schools and synagogues in the DC area and elsewhere. He also has a wide background as a teacher, actor, and service leader. We are so excited to bring his musical talent, his joyful Judaism, and his warm presence to our midst.
Ruth Anne Faust
Ruth Anne has an enthusiasm for all forms of learning and teaching. She began as a Montessori teacher, moved into the world of specially-abled children and adults in a Jewish setting (in particular, preparing B-Mitzvahs and Shabbat & holiday programs) while expanding into leading children’s and family services. She is eager to learn with everyone. Raised in Anchorage, AK, she’s wandered around the country before landing in Arlington, near her older son, Aaron and his family, offering Bubbie status to four.
Rabbi Mordechai Cohen
Rabbi Mordechai Cohen was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Rabbi Cohen has a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling and was certified as a Jewish Chaplain in 1994. Mordechai has served Jewish communities throughout the US and Canada, as pulpit Rabbi, Hazzan, Counselor, Chaplain, and Jewish Educator. For the last thirty-six years he has administered several Kosher Supervision organizations. While retired from full time rabbinic leadership, he also teaches religious school at Beth Shalom in Columbia. Rabbi Cohen is married to the former Yocheved Gurtenstein, and they are the proud parents of five adult children and loving grandparents of three delightful grandchildren.
Yocheved Cohen
Yocheved was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. Yocheved has a Bachelor of Arts in Judaic studies from Hebrew Theological, located in Skokie, Illinois. Yocheved has received her certification in early education, and has been teaching students for the past 36 years, both in day schools and religious schools settings throughout Canada and the US. Currently, she teaches at Berman Academy and Bnai Shalom Religious school in Olney. Yocheved is married to Rabbi Mordechai Cohen, and they are delighted to be teaching at JCEP this coming year.