Religious schools & youth groups offer something for everyone

By Stephanie Goodling

No matter what your affiliation, there is a religious school for your family in the Lehigh Valley.

Conservative synagogues Congregation Brith Sholom of Bethlehem and Temple Beth El of Allentown teamed up to provide a virtual school to their students during the pandemic, but each have a robust school of their own.

TBE breaks down objectives for each grade from pre-K through seventh on learning about Judaic basics, Hebrew, prayer, Israel, holidays and traditions, and history and heritage. They also have youth choirs and special youth services. TBE is home to the large pluralistic high school youth group experience that teens from across the Lehigh Valley are welcome to join.

Brith Sholom also serves kindergarten through seventh grades, and they offer a United Synagogue Youth group for teens. The teens help plan events from lock-ins and outdoor games to movies and laser tag, and are also involved in the religious life and social justice work of the congregation.

Congregation Bnai Shalom of Easton has a mixture of Conservative and Reform traditions in their services. They are offering free religious school to all members. Students enjoy many holiday activities and service projects throughout the year.

Another Reform congregation is Congregation Keneseth Israel in Allentown. Their program goes from kindergarten to tenth grade, and includes a variety of clubs and activities that aim to foster Jewish relationships that will encourage students to view the world through Jewish eyes, as well as a youth engagement program.

The Reform Temple Shirat Shalom religious school in Allentown meets just once a week and offers hands-on learning from cooking classes to field trips, which other family members are welcome to attend.

Congregation Am Haskalah seeks to foster in their students a strong and joyful Reconstructionist Jewish identity in an exciting and engaging environment. They teach skills and understanding in Hebrew, religious literacy, life cycle events, as well as Jewish history, values, ethics and culture. They work with Post-B’nai Mitzvah teens, as well.

The Orthodox Congregation Sons of Israel has youth programming for all ages, which includes chesed projects and edible crafts.

And at Chabad of the Lehigh Valley, there is both a Hebrew school and an active CTeens program, where students can engage in fun and mitzvah projects.