Jewish schools & camps right in your backyard

By Bayley Carl

There are some fabulous local options year-round in the Lehigh Valley for families looking for a Jewish-based education.

The Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley has its own Early Childhood Education program. At the JCC, children of all faiths are embraced. They proudly teach Jewish values - which are universal values - such as charity, kindness and taking care of the world in which we live. In addition, children celebrate Jewish and Israeli culture through food, song and story. Attending school at the JCC comes along with many of the same benefits as being a member at the JCC and attending camp at the JCC. The use of their pools and facilities is great!

The Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley is a community school that focuses on the individual needs of the child, connection to their community and celebration of Jewish traditions. The JDS serves families with children ranging in age from pre-K to eighth grade. At the JDS, they focus on small class sizes, individualized learning and a holistic educational approach. Character development and civic responsibility are as important as what is learned from a textbook.

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, located in Bryn Mawr, is an excellent choice of high school which buses students from the Lehigh Valley. Barrack is the nation’s first pluralistic Jewish secondary school. The academy prides itself on having a challenging and inspiring education plan.

Another option many local students attend is the Modern Orthodox Kohelet Yeshiva High School in Merion Station.

Chabad of the Lehigh Valley is based in Allentown and also offers a preschool program. Their focus is on the spiritual and social needs of local Jews of all ages. They hope to inspire their students to nourish their own relationships to Judaism. Acceptance of every Jew regardless of background or prior experience is the hallmark of Chabad’s philosophy.

When it comes to summer, kids don’t have to sleepaway to get a great camp experience.

In 2021, the JCC unveiled a new outdoor pool. This provided their day campers with an all-new experience. The JCC of the Lehigh Valley offers several different options for camp. It offers a Vacation Camp for grades pre-K through sixth grade. Another option is Camp Adventure, which is a traditional outdoor day camp, running all summer, for grades pre-K through eighth grade. It also offers a wide variety of specialty camps, from theatre to cooking and everything in between, and post-camp, which runs through the end of summer.

Chabad also offers their own day camp, Camp Gan Israel, affectionately known as “Gan Izzy.” They also emphasize a love of Jewish heritage and Israel, along with a full itinerary of traditional camp activities.