The mission of the Touro Synagogue educational program is threefold:
- to foster love and joy of Jewish learning
- to provide the building blocks of a life-long pursuit of Jewish learning and spirituality
- to explore Judaism through questions, dialogues, and curricula that are age appropriate and inter-generational
Education at Touro spans all generations. We offer Religious School for Pre-Kindergarten through 10th grade, classes in the Hebrew language at Uptown Hebrew for 3rd through 6th grades, special youth programming for our older teens, and a variety of opportunities for adult learners. Our desire is to foster Kavod (respect) for ourselves, our immediate families, our synagogue family, and the larger community. Our program encourages involvement in synagogue life, worship, and study, and seeks to enhance Jewish home celebrations.
The cornerstone of our educational program is our Religious School, the largest in Louisiana and one of only 21 schools accredited by the National Association of Temple Educators. Along with regular Religious School classes, Family Activity Days and religious holiday programs for our students, we also offer Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation for teens and adults.
Touro Synagogue encourages the study of the Hebrew language. We run a weekly Uptown Hebrew School for 3rd through 6th graders and we offer introductory Hebrew classes for adults.
Regular adult education opportunities include our lay-led Torah Study, which meets every Saturday year-round. During the school year we hold weekly Introduction to Judaism classes led by Rabbi Busch, as well as monthly Lunch and Learn programs which are held both at the Synagogue and downtown. Along with these regular offerings occasional short term courses on particular aspects of Judaism are often made available.
Touro Synagogue’s education program includes much more than formal instruction, however. Exciting and varied experiences fill our calendar every year. Special events at Touro range from weekend Scholar-in-Residence programs to the Louisiana Lehrhaus adult education experience; from talks by government experts in anti-terrorism to sing-alongs with children’s TV stars, The Imagination Movers.
Touro Synagogue believes our total education program will strengthen the fabric of Jewish life in New Orleans and help ensure the future of Judaism and the Jewish people. Through their participation in our program our learners will come to the realization of their divine potential and the promise of Tikkun Olam.
