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AAC Religious School

High Holidays Youth Programming

Youth Programming: Grades K - 6
Click here to register

Click Here for Schedule

To register for K-6 programming, children must belong to a member family or be a guest of a member family. Children are welcome to join us and participate in the All Shofar Orchestra on Sunday, September 17 at approximately 10:40 a.m.
 
Children under 13 years old are encouraged to bring a dairy or parve lunch on Yom Kippur
 
 

High Holiday Babysitting

Click here to register- Registration deadline: Friday, September 20

Agudas Achim is offering babysitting for children ages 1 to 4. To ensure that we can offer this service each day of the chagim, we need a have a minimum number of children each day. If we do not have the minimum required by Friday, September 20, parents who have already registered will be notified so that they can make alternative arrangements for their children.
 
Babysitting sessions start 10 minutes prior to the start of adult service time and runs until the end of each of the 3 services. Parents may pick up their children and take them to the Young Families Tent Service. Babysitting staff cannot take the children to the Young Families Tent Service. Parents are welcome to have their child(ren) remain in baby sitting for the entire duration of each morning. Snacks, toys, and fun will be provided; parents are asked to provide a dairy lunch and either a diaper bag or a change of clothing.
 
 

Enroll for the 2024-2025 School Year!

Classes are filling up quickly. Enroll to save a spot for your student. With caring, knowledgeable, warm and friendly faculty and staff, AAC Religious School is the premier place to learn to "do Jewish" and live Jewishly now and into the future.
 
Grade-Level Curriculum Summaries
 

A Message from our Religious School Director
Regarding the Events in Israel

Posted October 10, 2023
Dear parents,
 
I am heartbroken about the war that broke out in Israel on Saturday, the Shabbat of Shemini Atseret. As an adult, I am struggling with a complex knot of emotions ranging from fear and anger to hope and resolve. If it is hard for me to understand and manage, it is likely harder for children and teens.
 
If you have children who are watching the news or who hear you and your friends discussing the war, they may have questions and concerns. Some of our children will get questions from schoolmates. Don't assumes your children is not being impacted by this news. The war brings up some of the most difficult questions Jews face: "Why do people hate the Jews?" "Why won't God stop the war?" "Why is Israel always at war?" "Am I safe?" "Are my friends in Israel dead?"
 
While you may not feel up to the task of discussing these tough subjects, it is important that you speak with your children about this situation in some manner. Remember, parents in this situation are not expected to have all the answers nor are we expected to fix the situation. We can't do either. What we can do is listen, encourage, and share honestly. Here are some ideas.
 
  • Give your child a chance to share their feelings and thoughts about the war. Ask them to share their concerns. Listen and acknowledge their feelings, questions, and concerns. Don't try to fix or explain. Just listen.
  • Give yourself time to understand your feelings and thoughts. Remain open-minded and compassionate with yourself. Pay attention to reliable news sources and be on alert for dangerous propaganda.
  • Decide how much you want your child(ren) to know. For some of you, shielding your child(ren) from hard questions is the right choice. Some parents prefer to share just the information their child(ren) requests. Other parents will use this as an opportunity to give detailed information about the current situation and the history of events leading up to this moment. All of these approaches are reasonable ways for parents to address this situation with their children.
  • Limit time watching news or following the matter on social media. Many of the images being shared show the gruesome violence of war; repeated viewings may escalate stress and anxiety.
  • You are the ones who know your children best. Only you can decide the best strategy for speaking with them. Children deserve honest, clear answers even when the answer is that you don't know and that you yourself are also troubled and sad.
  • Lean on the Agudas Achim staff. We are here to talk with you and to talk with, and listen to, your child(ren). Being with the community during this difficult time is very important.
One way to help your child(ren) is to give them a concrete task that can aid others. Here are some ideas.
  • Make cards to send to Israeli soldiers. Bring these cards to the School and Youth Office and our shlicha Yarden Shiri will make sure that these cards are delivered. You can also bring them on Shabbat morning. There will be a box in the lobby to collect these cards until October 18.
  • Attend one of the vigils and support rallies. There is one in DC tonight (October 10). Click here for info. There will also be a rally here in Northern Virginia; additional details to be announce.
  • Come to services on Shabbat morning and have your child(ren) attend Noam. We will be talking about the war in these sacred settings.
  • GIVE TZEDAKAH
         - Jewish Federation of Greater Washington's Israel Crisis Relief Fund will provide essential support for those in need, with aid swiftly distributed through our partners on the ground. 100% of your donation goes towards this support.
         -     United Hatzalah. Using specially equipped motorcycle ambulances, United Hatzalah's network of more than 6,500 volunteer medics help save thousands of lives each year across Israel by providing medical treatment in an average response time of 3 minutes or less.
         -     Magen David Adom. Israel's National Emergency Pre-hospital Medical and Blood Services Organization.
         -         Friends of the IDF is the sole organization authorized to collect donations on behalf of the IDF across the United States.
Parents, I am available to talk with you and your child(ren). If you wish to reach me outside of office hours, you may call me at 865-806-4149.
 
With hope,
 
Morah Chaya

Welcome to Agudas Achim's Religious School

A word from our Religious School Director 

Welcome to the Religious School and Youth Group section of the Agudas Achim website. My name is Chaya Silver, most kids just call me Morah Chaya. Perhaps this is the name I am most proud of having earned other than the name Mom.  
     
I have had the privilege of working with Rabbi Rein and Hazzan Dienstfrey, and together with parents and congregants we are building a school that actively seeks ways for students of all ages to “Know Jewish,”  “Learn Jewish,” “Do Jewish,” and “Believe Jewish.” Each class and specialty program, each field trip and overnight is designed to spark interest in each of these four “worlds.”
    
We are a growing school fueled by the full support of the congregation, the active involvement of our parents, and the skill of our teachers. We welcome you to come hang out over coffee on Sunday mornings, to find time to talk with our staff and lay leaders, to volunteer to help in classrooms, or assist with programming. Feel free to contact me at the office with any questions or just to say hello.
    
I look forward to working together to promote the best religious school program possible.  I can’t do it without you.
 
Shalom, Salam and Peace,
Chaya
 
Questions? Contact Chaya at csilver@agudasachim-va.org.
 

Vision and Mission Statement

Vision Statement

Agudas Achim Religious School, in collaboration with families and the entire congregation, is dedicated to creating a vibrant learning program where children -- from kindergarten through high school -- engage in formal and experiential education that imparts a positive, lasting Jewish identity.
 

Mission Statement

Using the latest research in Jewish Education, guided by the principles of the Conservative Movement, and supported by the Youth and Religious School Committee, the Agudas Achim Religious School and Youth Program department will:
   - prioritize social, ethical, and moral growth to build a caring, involved, and committed Jewish community as well as engaged global Jewish citizens
   - provide authentic learning opportunities using meaningful classroom experiences combined with community and area resources to teach students about Shabbat, holidays, holy texts, life cycle events, history, prayer, and Hebrew as both an ancient and modern language.
   - use creative design and passion to breathe life into all programs including classroom sessions, family learning events, children’s services, holidays, and Israel, Hebrew, Judaic Studies.
 
 

Resources for Current Religious School Families

For Wednesday Religious School Zoom links and Religious School schedules, please log in to your account and click here.
 
Thu, November 21 2024 20 Cheshvan 5785