By Naomi Fabes, Director of Temple Israel Religious School and Family Engagement
Temple Israel Religious School (TIRS) is embarking on a new chapter: one shaped by research, reflection, and a renewed commitment to providing meaningful, relational Jewish education.
Over the past year, TIRS has been quietly undergoing a transformation. The energy in our classrooms has been unmistakable: voices singing in Hebrew, friends laughing over group projects, and students leaning into conversations that matter. Beneath that surface, a deeper shift has taken place: a reimagining of what Jewish learning looks and feels like for today’s families.
This transformation isn’t about inventing something entirely new; rather, it’s about aligning our work with what the broader field of Jewish education already knows to be effective. Across the country, educators and institutions have been refining innovative, learner-centered practices for years. Now, Temple Israel is bringing those proven approaches to Charlotte in a bold and intentional way.
The process began with listening. We spoke with parents, observed students, and reflected with teachers. We immersed ourselves in the work of respected thought leaders, including The Jewish Education Project, the Mandel Center at Brandeis University, and The Covenant Foundation, and challenged ourselves to think not only about what we teach, but how we teach, and why it matters.
What we found affirmed what many of us have long sensed: that Jewish learning thrives when it’s personal, flexible, and rooted in community. These guiding principles are now shaping the future of TIRS in exciting and meaningful ways.
A Hebrew Program for This Generation
At the center of our new model is a reimagined approach to Hebrew learning, one that aligns with how children naturally acquire language and how families want to engage with it. Our Hebrew program leverages immersive, experiential learning to bring Hebrew to life: not only as a sacred text, but as a living, dynamic language that connects Jews across time and place.
Rather than relying solely on decoding or translation exercises, our new approach:
- Integrates conversational Hebrew, helping students internalize the language as a tool for expression and connection.
- Mirrors how children learn their first language—through repetition, movement, listening, and joy.
- Builds foundational skills while fostering positive associations with Hebrew and promoting long-term retention and confidence.
- Incorporates Hebrew Through Movement across grades K–6, using physical activity and play to deepen comprehension.
Families will choose between two flexible and accessible options:
- In-person small group instruction, paired with Ivrit & Eat—an immersive, low-pressure Hebrew environment infused with culture (and pizza!).
- Virtual small group tutoring, ideal for families seeking greater flexibility while maintaining consistency and connection.
Together, these offerings empower families to select the path that best meets their needs, without compromising quality or outcomes.
We’re proud that over 20% of our TIRS students attend Charlotte Jewish Day School (CJDS), and we recognize that our previous structure didn’t always offer a seamless or satisfying experience for them. Our new model changes that. By shifting Hebrew instruction outside of Sunday mornings, we’re creating space for CJDS students to more fully engage in the rich, values-driven Conservative Jewish education that brings them to Temple Israel in the first place. At the same time, we’re honoring the Hebrew proficiency and Judaic background they bring with them, and offering thoughtful entry points that feel meaningful, age-appropriate, and aligned with their prior learning. The result is a more inclusive, flexible learning environment where all students feel seen, challenged, and truly part of the community.
From Content to Connection
By moving Hebrew into small-group settings, we’ve reclaimed Sunday mornings for what matters most: deep, engaging, and personally meaningful Judaic learning. This expanded time gives teachers the freedom to integrate best practices from the wider field of education, such as play-based and project-based learning that emphasize curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.
These methods reflect a broader educational truth: that Jewish learning isn’t just about content mastery; it’s about character development, identity formation, and building lasting relationships.
Our Sunday curriculum is now truly grounded in connection: between students and teachers, between tradition and the present, and between each learner and their community. It’s a space where Jewish ideas don’t just get studied; they come to life.
A Midweek Model That Sparks Joy
We’re also preserving and expanding one of the most beloved elements of TIRS: choice-based, hands-on electives. Midweek sessions will feature rotating tracks like cooking, art, music, trivia, gaming, and more. Students will select new electives each trimester, keeping learning fresh, social, and joyful.
This approach ensures students look forward to religious school, not out of obligation, but out of genuine excitement and engagement.
Looking Ahead With Purpose
What ties all of this together is a clear, values-driven philosophy: at Temple Israel Religious School, we believe that while people may come for programs, they stay for relationships. As Jewish educator and author Dr. Ron Wolfson writes, “Programs are vehicles for Jewish connection, but it is the relationships that transform the experience.” This vision of Relational Judaism is the foundation of our school’s transformation.
Our new model embraces that vision fully. It’s a place where students are known. Where families are true partners. Where Judaism is relevant, dynamic, and joyful.
To those seeking a fresh start, a warm welcome, or a Jewish learning environment that meets children where they are while guiding them toward who they’re becoming, we invite you to come see what’s taking shape.
This is more than a curriculum change.
It’s a culture shift.
And we’re just getting started.
Temple Israel kids read the Magillah