At Temple Israel Religious School (TIRS), we provide a warm and engaging environment where children explore their Jewish traditions, heritage, and identity while building a strong connection to the Jewish community. Our dedicated educators blend formal and informal Jewish learning to make history and traditions come alive. Differentiated learning is available for all students, offering extra support or accelerated instruction as needed.
Sunday Classes (All Grades)
Gan (K), Aleph (1st), Bet (2nd), Gimel (3rd), Dalet (4th), Hey (5th), Vav (6th), Zayin (7th)
Sundays: 9:30 AM – 12:05 PM
Midweek Hebrew (Grades 3–6)
Gimel (3rd), Dalet (4th), Hey (5th), Vav (6th)
Tuesdays: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM or Wednesdays: 5:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Zayin (7th Grade) Midweek Schedule
Please refer to the TIRS calendar or the Temple Israel website calendar for details.
TIRS (K-6th)
Temple Israel Religious School (TIRS) is a caring and inclusive community that seeks to inspire our children with a sense of wonder and appreciation for Judaism’s rich heritage and culture. Our program provides dynamic Jewish experiences that lay a strong foundation in Hebrew language and prayer, incorporating music, movement, and the arts in unique activities that make learning fun. Through questioning, creating, active participation, and special family programs, children experience and learn about mitzvot, Torah, Shabbat, God and spirituality, holidays, Israel, Jewish history, and contemporary Jewish life.
Education Director, Naomi Fabes, strives to know each child individually and works with our devoted teachers to ensure that each student thrives in a warm and nurturing environment so that Temple Israel becomes a second home, instilling a sense of belonging to our community and the Jewish people.Children are encouraged to attend Shabbat and holiday services, whether in our main sanctuary, grade-wide Shabbats, or our monthly experiential Shabbat Yeladim. Attendance at services serves as a “living” complement to classroom learning.
TIRS is a comprehensive program that begins in Kindergarten and ends in 12th grade. While children must be enrolled no later than 3rd grade to receive a B’nai Mitzvah date, we strongly encourage parents to enroll their children sooner so as not to miss out on vital learning and community building opportunities that are the foundation of Jewish education in the upper grades.
Hineini (7th Grade)
When God calls out to Abraham in Genesis 22:1, Abraham responds, Hineini. The great medieval sage Rashi comments that Hineini is an expression that reflects readiness for action. It is as if Abraham declares: "I am ready to do Your will, O God. I am prepared to do the work."
This is the sacred text behind our brand-new service-learning initiative that will provide our 7th graders the unique opportunity to go out into the community and put the Jewish values they learn into action. The program offers volunteering as well as experiential and education components with a continual focus on Jewish text and leadership.
Madrichim Leadership Program (8th-12th)
The Hebrew term madrich literally means “guide” and is derived from the word derech which means “path” or “journey.” Our Madrichim Leadership Program is designed to foster leadership skills and community engagement among 8th-12th graders. The program equips our madrichim with the tools they need to become effective classroom aides, role models, and active contributors to the vibrancy of our Religious School and Youth Groups.
Tikvah Charlotte
TIKVAH CHARLOTTE is a joint special needs program between Temple Israel and Temple Beth El. This program provides individual and group learning in Hebrew and Judaica and is geared toward students who have difficulties attending mainstream classes. Our tradition teaches that each of us is created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and that each of us is to be valued.
Shabbat Attendance & Hebrew Practice
Log Shabbat Attendance – Don’t forget to track your participation! (insert link from old site for shabbat attendance)
Practice Hebrew Anytime
- Download Hebrew Alphabet & Flashcard Apps
- Visit Behrman House for Prayer Practice & Alef Bet Resources
Support TIRS
TIRS PTO Membership Dues
- $36 for one child
- $54 for multiple children
PTO dues help provide snacks, teacher & madrichim gifts, and extra classroom materials throughout the school year.
[Click here to submit your PTO dues or make an additional donation.]
Questions? Contact the TIRS PTO at [insert email].
