Education Directory

The following guide to Jewish educational programs for children in the Greater Philadelphia area was prepared by the Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education.

To learn more about particular programs, call 215-635-8940.

I: Infant care (up to 12 months)
T: Toddler (13 to 36 months)
PS: Preschool (3 to 4 years)
K: Kindergarten
SE: Supplementary religious elementary
SHS: Supplementary religious high school
ASC: After-school care (kindergarten through grade six)
SN: Special needs

Adath Israel of the Main Line, Merion. 610-934-1920. Director: Sherrie Rosenberg Klein. Early childhood: Bernice Schwartz. Conservative. T (2 years plus), PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park. 215-635-1337. Director: Debbie Miner. Early childhood: Sherry Bohm. Conservative. I, T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Temple Beth Ami, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-673-2511. Director: Jeff Kelman. Traditional. PS, SE.

Congregation Beth Am Israel, Penn Valley. 610-667-1651. Director: Gloria Eiseman. Conservative. K, SE, SHS, SN.

Beth Chaim Reform Congregation, Malvern. 215-641-2737. Director: Rabbi Aileen Hollander. Reform. SE.

Beth David Reform Congregation, Gladwyne. 610-649-0272. Director: Susan Levey. Reform. K, SE, SHS.

Congregation Beth El of Lower Bucks County, Yardley. 215-493-1707. Director: Karen Lewin. Conservative. T, PS, SE, SHS.

Congregation Beth El-Ner Tamid, Broomall. 610-356-8700. Director: Ellen Glassman. Conservative. I, T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, Wynnewood. 610-649-2277. Director: Rabbi Leah Richman. Conservative. T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Beth Israel Congregation of Chester County, Eagle. 610-458-8550. Director: Joan Sharp. Conservative. T, PS, K, SE, SHS (through ninth-grade confirmation), SN.

Congregation Beth Israel of Media, Media. 610-566-4645. Director: Helene Cohen. Reconstructionist. SE.

Congregation Beth Or, Maple Glen. 215-646-5806. Director: Susan Edelstein. Academy coordinator: Sarah DeWoskin. Reform. I (3 months plus), T, PS, K, SE, SHS.

Beth Sholom Congregation, Elkins Park. 215-887-3625. Director: Phil Nordlinger. Conservative. I, T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Beth Tikvah-B¹nai Jeshurun, Erdenheim. 215-836-5677. Director: Cantor Arlyne Unger. Conservative. T, PS, SE, SHS, SN.

Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel, Philadelphia. 215-735-5148. Director: Cindy Kushner. Conservative. T, PS, SE, SHS.

Congregation B¹nai Jacob, Phoenixville. 610-933-5550. Director: Rabbi Rachel Brown. Conservative. SE.

Temple Brith Achim, King of Prussia. 610-337-2820. Director: Sharon Forman-Toll. Reform. PS, SE, SHS, SN.

Germantown Jewish Centre, Philadelphia. 215-844-1507. Director: Felicia B. Rosen. Early childhood: Shelly Shenker. Conservative. T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Har Zion Temple, Penn Valley. 610-667-6534. Director: Rabbi Nogah Sherman. Conservative. T, PS, K, SE, SHS, ASC (preschool only), SN.

Congregation Hesed Shel Emet (³Mercy and Truth²), Pottstown. 610-326-1717. Director: Rabbi David Wortman. Conservative. PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Kehilat Ha¹Nahar, The Little Shul by the River, New Hope. 215-862-1912. Directors: Robin Robison and Joan Loeb. Reconstructionist. PS (4 years), K, SE, SHS (through 10th grade), SN.

Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel, Elkins Park and Blue Bell. 215-887-8704. Director: Rabbi Stacy Eskovitz Rigler. Reform. I, T, PS, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Kesher Israel, West Chester. 610-696-7210. Director: Rabbi Cynthia Kravitz. Early childhood: Rohna Paskow and Gail DeMarco. Conservative. T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Kol Ami, Elkins Park. 215-635-7106. Director: Rita R. Siegel. Reform. T (2 years plus), PS, SE, SHS.

Congregation Kol Emet, Yardley. 215-493-8522. Director: Carrie Shames Walinsky. Reconstructionist. T, PS, K (enrichment), SE, SHS, SN (inclusion).

Main Line Reform Temple-Beth Elohim, Wynnewood. 610-642-0304. Director: Elizabeth Bloch. Early childhood: Missy Horrow. Reform. T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia. 215-922-5446. Director: Rabbi Albert Gabbai. No Affiliation. SE.

Congregation Mishkan Shalom, Roxborough. 215-508-0022, Ext. 3. Director: Rabbi Erin Hirsh. Reconstructionist. SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Ohev Shalom, Wallingford. 610-874-1465. Director: Joan Joseph. Conservative. PS, K, SE.

Ohev Shalom of Bucks County, Richboro. 215-322-9597. Director: Hannah Soffer. Early childhood: Robin Salkow. Conservative. T, PS, K, SE, SHS, ASC.

Old York Road Temple Beth Am, Abington. 215-886-6030. Director: Mimi Polin Ferraro. Reform. T, PS, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Or Ami, Lafayette Hill. 610-828-4443. Director: Gloria Becker. Reform. T (18 to 36 months), PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation, Fort Washington. 215-283-0276. Director: Lori Rubin. Reconstructionist. PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Or Shalom, Berwyn. 610-644-9086. Director: Ken Firestone. Conservative. K, SE.

Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Philadelphia. 215-627-6747. Director: Rabbi Michael Holzman. Reform. K, SE, SHS.

The Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-677-1600. Director: Jacques Lurie. Traditional. T (18 months plus), PS, K, SE, SN.

Shir Ami Bucks County Jewish Congregation, Newtown. 215-968-3254. Director: Rabbi Eric Goldberg. Reform. T (20 months plus), PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Society Hill Synagogue, Philadelphia. 215-922-6590, Ext. 29. Director: Merle J. Salkin. Conservative. T (24 months plus), PS, SE, SHS.

Suburban Jewish Community Center B¹nai Aaron, Havertown. 610-446-1967. Education consultant: Barbara Mollin Lerner. Conservative. SE (kindergarten through seventh grade), SN.

Temple Judea of Bucks County, Doylestown. 215-348-5022. Director: Steve Weintraub. Reform. T, PS, K, SE, SHS, ASC, SN.

Temple Shalom, Levittown. 215-945-4154. Rabbi Glenn Jacob. Reform. K, SE, SHS.

Temple Sholom, Broomall. 610-356-5165. Director: Lori Green. Reform. I, T, PS, SE, SHS.

Temple Sinai, Dresher. 215-643-7626. Director: Faith Rubin. Conservative. T (24 months plus), K, PS, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Tiferes B¹nai Israel, Warrington. 215-343-0155. Director: Esther Levitt. Reconstructionist. K, SE, SHS.

Tiferet Bet Israel, Blue Bell. 610-275-6839. Director: Donald M. Cohen. Conservative. I, T, PS, K, SE, SHS, SN.

Congregation Tifereth Israel of Lower Bucks County, Bensalem. 215-752-3540. Director: Eda Klein. Conservative. T, PS, K, SE.

Tzedek v¹Shalom, Newtown. 215-860-3565. Director: Mira Colflesh. Reconstructionist. SE, SN.

Communal Supplementary Educational Programs

Jewish Children¹s Folkshul, Chestnut Hill. 215-248-1550. Director: Mindy Blatt. Community. T, PS, K, SE, SHS.

Community Torah Center of Bucks County, Richboro. 215-364-1160. Director: Suri Max. Traditional. K, SE, SN.

Chabad Hebrew Schools

Branches:

Aleph-Bet School, Newtown. 215-497-9925. Director: Rabbi Menachem Lezell. Community. K, SE (to seventh grade), SN.

Chabad Hebrew School, Devon. 610-971-9977. Director: Tickey Kaplan. Community. T, PS, K, SE (to seventh grade).

Dovrei Ivrit Chabad Hebrew School, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-725-2030 or 215-722-6371. Director: Rivka Weber. Community. K, SE, ASC.

Chabad Hebrew School,Fort Washington. 215-591-9310. Director: Devorah Deitsch. Community. PS, K, SE, SHS.

Mitzvah Factory Hebrew School, Merion Station. 610-660-9192. Director: Tsipy Weiss. Community. T (18 months plus), PS, K, SE, SN.

Jewish Community High School of Gratz College

JCHS Main Office, Melrose Park. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Director: Ari Y. Goldberg. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Western Branch at Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr. 215-635- 7300, Ext. 5. Director: Renee Goldfarb. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Beth El, Yardley. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Director: Rita Appel. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Bucks County Campus at Tifereth Israel, Bensalem. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Director: Jeff Zimmerman. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Buxmont Branch at Temple Sinai, Dresher. 215-643-7626. Director: Faith Rubin. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS.

JCHS Central Bucks Branch at Tiferes B¹nai Israel, Warrington. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Kesher Israel, West Chester. 215-635-7300, Ext. 116. Director: Terian Chertok. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Mandell Campus, Melrose Park. 215-635-7300, Ext. 118. Director: Ruth Schapiro. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Northeast Branch at Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-635-7300, Ext. 120. Director: Deborah Simons. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Or Shalom, Berwyn. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Terian Chertok. Community. Grades 8 to 12. SHS, SN.

JCHS Isaac Mayer Wise Program

JCHS/IMW Beth Or, Maple Glen. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Director: Barbara Mollin Lerner. Reform. Grades 11 to 12. SHS.

JCHS/IMW Mandell Education Campus, Melrose Park. 215-635-7300, Ext. 117. Director: Rita R. Siegal. Reform. Grades 11 and 12. SHS.

JCHS/IMW Shir Ami-Bucks County Jewish Congregation, Newtown. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Director: Barbara Mollin Lerner. Reform. Grades 11 to 12. SHS.

JCHS/IMW Western Branch at Baldwin, Bryn Mawr. 215-635-7300, Ext. 5. Director: Renee Goldfarb. Reform. Grades 11 to 12. SHS.

Non-Synagogue Early- Childhood Education Programs

Center City Jewish Preschool, Philadelphia. 215-238-2100. Director: Leah Goldman. T, PS, SE.

Federation Early-Learning Services:

Myer & Rosaline Feinstein Campus, Philadelphia. 215-676-7550, Ext. 104. Executive director: Maddy Mallis. I, T, PS, K, ASC, SN.

Home-Based Early Learning Program, Philadelphia. 215-676-7550, Ext. 111. Director: Phyllis Doroshow. I, T, PS, K, SN.

Kehillah Early Learning Center, Wallingford. 610-872-0400. Director: Debbie Seifrit. I, T, PS, K, SN.

Kol Ami Nursery School, Elkins Park. 215-635-4180. Director: Sheri Cutler. T, PS, K, SN.

K¹tonton School for Young Children, Broomall. 610-325-4831. Director: Christy Robbins. I, T, PS, K, SN.

Lassin Early Learning Center, Philadelphia. 215-677-7191. Director: Adele Fisher. I, T, PS, K, SN.

Mary Bert Gutman Early Learning Center, Melrose Park. 215-635-5570. Director: Helen Victor Turk. I, T, PS, K, SN.

Terri Lynne Lokoff Early Learning Center, Blue Bell. 215-643-0110. Director: Naomi Gordon. I, T, PS, K, SN.

Samuel Paley Early Learning Center, Philadelphia. 215-725-8930. Director: Sandy Chernow. T, PS, K, SN.

After-School Locations:

Louis H. Farrell Elementary School, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-725-8930. Director: Gail Goldman. ASC, SN.

Greenberg Elementary School, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-725-8930. Director: Gail Goldman. ASC, SN.

J. Hampton Moore Elementary School, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-725-8930. Director: Gail Goldman. ASC, SN.

Play and Learn Ltd., at Suburban Jewish Community Center B¹nai Aaron, Havertown. 610-853-2267. Director: Essie Cutler. T, PS, K.

Schwartz Preschool at Kesher Israel, Philadelphia. 215-922-2095. Director: Jo Coppertino. T (2 years plus), PS, K.

The Wonder Years Preschool at Or Shalom, Berwyn. 610-296-7899. Director: Susan Caplan. T, PS, ASC. € € €

Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia

Branches:

JCC Klein Branch, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-698-7300, Ext. 127. Director: Shari A. Beck-Nahman. T (18 months plus), PS, K, ASC.

Robert J. Wilf Preschool and Kindergarten at the JCC Kaiserman Branch, Wynnewood. 610-896-7770, Ext. 118. Director: Liz Z. Sussman. I (6 to 12 months), T, PS, K.

Day Schools

Abrams Hebrew Academy, Yardley. 215-493-1800. Head of school: Rabbi Ira Budow. Traditional, Community. T, PS (K to 8), ASC, SN.

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, Merion Station. 610-667-4070. Head of school: Rabbi Phillip D. Field. Pluralistic. Grades 6 to 12. SN.

Politz Hebrew Academy, Philadelphia. 215-969-5960. Head of school: Besie Katz. Orthodox. PS (K to 8), SN. € € €

Raymond & Ruth Perelman Jewish Day School (Head of school: Jay Leberman)

Forman Center, Melrose Park. 215-635-3130. Principal: Chagit Nusbaum. Conservative. Grades K to 5. SN.

Stern Center, Wynnewood. 610-658-2518. Principal: Wendy Smith. Conservative. Grades K to 5. SN. Robert Saligman Middle School, Melrose Park. 215-635-3303. Principal: Susan Friedman. Conservative. Grades 6 to 8. SN. € € €

Stern Hebrew High School, Northeast Philadelphia. 215-725-3800. Head of school: Mordechai Wecker. Orthodox. Grades 9 to 12.

The Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. 215-477-1000. Deans: Rabbi Elya Svei and Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky. Director: Rabbi Uri Mandelbaum. Orthodox. Grades 9 to 12. Bais Medrosh (Post-Secondary).

Torah Academy, Wynnewood. 610-642-7870 (elementary) and 610-642-9360 (high school). Elementary director: Rabbi Joshua Levy. High school director: Rabbi Baruch Lichtenstein. Orthodox. PS (K to 12), SN.