NNJJA: The Northern New Jersey Jewish Academy for students through age 13.
Part of building your child’s Jewish identity is having them be part of a dynamic and diverse Jewish community. NNJJA (pronounced ninja) is a well-rounded, community-based religious school experience. NNJJA is open to families who are members of Temple Israel and to unaffiliated families through grade three, after which membership in Temple Israel is required. Our program attracts families from all over Bergen County – Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Wyckoff, Oakland, Franklin Lakes and Ho-Ho-Kus just to name a few. We welcome all families, regardless of family structure and level of observance, and many of our students come from interfaith households.
The NNJJA curriculum combines hands-on fun and experiential learning with strong academics to teach Jewish tradition, culture, prayer, history, and Torah. Approximately once a month, students attend Family Shabbat instead of school on Sunday. Flyer here.
Torah Tots: For our youngest learners accompanied by a family member or caregiver. This program meets approximately once a month on Sunday mornings and incorporates music, dancing, books, and other activities with Jewish themes. Each session ends with a snack and time to hang out. A great way to introduce a love of Jewish learning and make some new friends. Program meets from 9:15 am to 10 am. Flyer here.
Pre-K/kindergarten: Children in pre-K (4’s) and kindergarten participate in a fun interactive Sunday morning program packed with amazing crafts, music, and stories. The curriculum includes Bible stories, holiday enrichment, and the introduction of Hebrew words. Includes snack time. Program meets from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.
Grades 1-2: Students in first and second grades also meet on Sunday morning. Bible stories, Jewish holidays, and Jewish traditions come alive through games, crafts, stories, music, pretend play and role playing. Includes snack time. Program meets most Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.
Grade 3 (Kitah Alef): The beginning of our Hebrew school program starts students on their path toward becoming bnei mitzvah – learning Hebrew letters and an introduction to Jewish prayer and Torah. They also continue the fun with games, interactive role playing, and movement. Topics can include famous Jews, Israel, traditional Jewish foods, and the meaning behind Jewish customs just to name a few. Includes snack time. Program meets most Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:30 am and Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 6 pm.
Grades 4-7 (Kitah Bet through Kitah Hay): The curriculum is rich in classroom instruction, hands-on experiential workshops, and special programming that creates a strong foundation in ritual and synagogue skills, customs, Jewish culture, Bible study, and Hebrew language. Students choose semester-long electives in subjects that interest them. Examples are cooking, art, theater, history and movement. Includes a break for some downtime and a snack. Program meets most Sunday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Students also have one-on-one or small group Hebrew instruction most weeks. To accommodate different learning styles and schedules, we offer 30 minute virtual sessions on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings or in-person sessions on Wednesday evenings or Sundays at 11:45 am.
The NNJJA application can be accessed here.
Contact Brian Della Torre at dellatorrebrian@gmail.com.
One goal of Temple Israel’s religious school program is to whet our young people’s appetite for further Jewish learning. We strongly encourage NNJJA graduates to continue their formal Jewish educations at the Bergen County High School for Jewish Studies (BCHSJS) for grades 8-12, which is held at Temple Israel on Sunday mornings.
Enrolled students in grades 3-7 can use this link to access videos of the tefilot they are studying so they can master tefilah goals.