Kehila Chadasha's progressive Jewish Sunday School meets at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Montgomery County, Md., on Sunday mornings from 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM. The Sunday School is directed by a Principal as well as by volunteer members who co-chair the Education Committee. This cooperative arrangement reflects the dynamic style of the Community, which draws members from Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area.

There are about 40 member and non-member children in the school. The Community employs a Principal to help the school run efficiently, and Kehila school graduates are used as ozrim (aides) in the classrooms. School begins with morning music with Reb David. This is an opportunity for the children in the Sunday School, their parents, and the adults attending the adult education lecture series to ease into the day with Jewish and Hebrew songs, stories, and Yiddishkite. Music usually concludes with communal sharing of information about upcoming activities and the recognition of birthdays and other life-cycle events.

The children then go to their classrooms where they have 2 further units of study: Hebrew and Judaics. The students are divided into classes based on age, and within the Hebrew component they are further broken down according to their Hebrew understanding. The Judaics portion of the curriculum covers 4-5 different units ranging from the study of a particular virtue, to a Torah theme to specific rituals and ceremonies. Our goal is to make their learning lively, interactive and enjoyable.

During one unit of the year the school includes Chuggim (clubs). The students choose from various "electives" such as music, art, or study that support the particular Judaics unit which they are studying. Past chuggim included such activities as creating a chuppah and ketubah for a mock-wedding for our life-cycle unit, and even participating in a Klezmer band.

For more information about our vibrant Sunday School, please contact Sharon Neubauer at (240) 425-2039 or sharonneubauer@comcast.net.