Religious School We make Religious school the beginning of Jewish learning, not the end. Our dedicated and enthusiastic Education Director works together with a team of caring, professional, teachers to give your child a meaningful, spiritual and social Jewish educational experience.  A positive, comprehensive, top-notch Jewish educational experience is what we’re all about. At Agudat Achim we hold tight to tradition with the welcoming beauty of modernity and change. We are affiliated with the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, the Conservative Branch of Jewish life, yet our school is made up of families who come from all streams of Judaism. We have interfaith families, same-sex couple families, grandparents who bring their children to Hebrew School, and everything else under the sun. All are welcome here; our doors are always wide open. OUR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL IS RECOGNIZED FOR: Being engaging: Our mantra is simple; Jewish Education must be fun, connecting, positive, and engaging. If it is anything close to dull or boring or painful then we’re clearly doing something wrong. Small classes with personalized attention: We can accommodate any special needs you or your child may have. Solid Hebrew and Jewish education: Our program will instill Jewish values and prepare your child to be a great Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Private sessions with our Ritual Director for each student prepare them for their special Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations. Monthly Junior Congregation: Special youth oriented Junior Congregation Shabbat morning service led for and by the students under the direction of our professional  staff and lay leaders. No Sharing Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates: Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are able to celebrate their own private Bar and Bat Mitzvah dates, no sharing; this makes their day even more personal and memorable. No Membership required: We are so sure you will love our program we will allow you to try it for one year without joining the Congregation. No Tuition: At Agudat Achim we belive that educating our children is a community responsiblity so the cost of tuition is included in our dues for all. We can’t tell you the number of parents that come to us, with stunned looks on their faces, telling us that their seventh grader, who used to happily tell them they hated religious school now tells them that, you know what, it’s not so bad in fact they like to come! How does it happen? How do we do it? Why bring your children to our school? It’s relatively simple. Through positive, engaging, dynamic and comprehensive approach, we have the future of our People personifying our rich traditions, language, and culture. We hire teachers that emulate a passion for our faith, culture, language, and history and welcome new families and children with open arms. We think about how we would want to learn if we were children in our school and then we make it as close to that as possible! Jack Mintzer our Education Director has an open-door policy and prospective and current families are always welcome to meet with him and observe positive Jewish education in action. To meet with Jack please call the Education office directly at 518-381-8983 or email him at aguprinc@nycap.rr.com.  Prospective teachers are invited to email him their resumes at this email address as well. Midrasha Students in 8th through 12th grade participate in Midrasha, our community Hebrew High School. Classes meet on Wednesday evening during the school year. The Midrasha is an agency of the United Jewish Federation of NENY and is sponsored jointly by the Schenectady synagogues and the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York. A complete Hebrew High School brochure is available from the Religious School office or visit at www.schenectadymidrasha.org/ Life-Long Positive Jewish Learning… It’s Happening at Congregation Agudat Achim!