Welcome to Religious School!
Achduth Vesholom’s youth programming features an engaging mix of virtual and in-person learning experiences for our youngest Temple members to:
- Experience Jewish Values to build lasting Jewish Identity.
- Learn about Jewish Time by “doing” Jewish Holidays.
- Acquire the building blocks of Hebrew learning to access Jewish Prayers and Jewish Texts.
- Access resources for Jewish family life during occasional parent and family programs.
Our calendar for 2026-2027 includes several in-person Family Shabbaton and youth-oriented simcha and yontiff celebrations, including:
- Rosh Hashanah Joy Vey
- Sukkot Joy Vey & Havdalah
- Simchat Torah & Consecration
- Hanukkah Party
- Tu B’Shvat Celebration
- Purim Carnival
- Confirmation
These programs are open to youth and families of all ages!
Questions? Please contact Youth Education and Family Engagement Director Stephanie Gottesman at youth@templecav.org.
Joy Vey! A Kid-ish Shabbat for Youth Ages 0-5
Gather ‘round your little ones and join us in the tradition of blessing our children as we make a joyful place for Shabbat in our lives and hearts… together.
Ages 0-5ish and older siblings join together on the second Saturday of most months at 10:30 a.m. Introduce your child to the beauty of a Shabbat morning service with prayer, singing, movement, joyfulness, and friends. Folks are encouraged to stick around afterwards for a nosh and social time.
Join us for a Great Year Of Jewish Learning in 2026-2027!
Our Religious School welcomes children in kindergarten (age 5+ by September 1) through high school. We also offer a Pre-K class (ages 3-5 and potty trained). Families must be members of Achduth Vesholom to enroll their children.
UPDATE: Religious School begins on Sunday, August 30 with an orientation day for students and parents from 10 a.m. to noon. (Teacher orientation day: Sunday, August 23.)
We strongly encourage all parents/caregivers to attend. We’ll be sharing important information about the year ahead and our vision for this community. Students will be spending time in their classrooms getting to know their teachers and then come together in the social hall for crafts and activities.
A Neighborhood Block Party will follow from noon to 2 p.m
Registration Process:
- Download and read Parent Handbook and Tuition and Payment Information.
- Complete the Religious School Registration Form 2026-2027.
- Submit tuition/Arrange a monthly payment plan/Request Financial Assistance.
Questions? Please contact Stephanie Gottesman, Youth Education & Family Engagement Director, at youth@templecav.org.
Financial Support for Jewish Learning
Our Goals
The Religious School at Congregation Achduth Vesholom seeks to provide an enriching learning experience that engenders a deeper, more purposeful appreciation of our students’ spiritual heritage.
Our aims and objects
- To implant in our students and their families a feeling of belonging to the Jewish community.
- To teach Jewish values, traditions, history and culture.
- To create meaningful Jewish experiences for our children so that Judaism becomes a positive intellectual and emotional experience that brings pleasure, beauty and joy of life.
- To strengthen and reinforce Jewish associations within the lives of our young people so that the TEMPLE and HOME become the centers for Jewish life and values.
Tzedakah Program
At Religious School, our children’s weekly education includes the recognition of Jewish responsibility and helping others in need in the community. Weekly collections of Tzedakah taken in each classroom on Sunday morning give each child the opportunity to put this knowledge into action. Please encourage your child to share his or her good fortune by giving from his or her allowance. Funds will be allocated during the school year as students learn about places and people in need.
Weather Cancellations
We look forward to meeting again in person when our building re-opens.
Religious School: In the event of inclement weather, a calling tree will go out to all families, teachers and aides no later than 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Hebrew School: If Fort Wayne Community Schools are closed due to weather, then we will not have Hebrew School. If the weather gets bad later in the day on Tuesday or Wednesday, a calling tree will go out to all Hebrew School families and teachers no later than 4 p.m.
As always, please use your discretion regarding the weather. You and your family’s health and safety are always the top priority.