About JLAB
What is jLAB?
jLAB is built on the belief that children learn best when they’re invested and excited. Through our Taglit (Discovery) approach to Jewish studies, learners choose their own pathway to Jewish learning – whether it’s through robotics, cooking, theater, music, visual arts, or digital media.
Each class is infused with Jewish content in line with our curriculum, guiding learners to make meaningful connections between their creative work and Jewish tradition, values, and texts.
About Our Philosophy
Inspiring Lifelong Jewish Learning at Temple Beth Sholom
At Temple Beth Sholom, jLAB is more than just a place to learn Hebrew or prepare for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. It is a community where learners grow as Jewish individuals – intellectually, spiritually, and ethically.
We believe in nurturing each child’s Jewish identity through joyful, relevant, and meaningful experiences that empower them to explore their heritage and build a lifelong connection to Judaism.
Our Core Values
Kehilla (Community)
We foster a warm, inclusive environment where every learner feels known, valued, and connected to their peers, teachers, and Jewish life.
Talmud Torah (Jewish Learning)
We believe in deep, thoughtful learning that makes Judaism come alive - from Torah stories to ethical dilemmas, from holiday rituals to modern Jewish life.
Ivrit (Hebrew Language)
Hebrew is the language of our tradition and our prayers. Our goal is to make Hebrew both accessible and meaningful, helping learners feel confident and empowered in synagogue and other Jewish settings.
Avodah (Worship)
We guide learners to find personal meaning in prayer and spiritual expression. They explore traditional prayers, write their own reflections, and learn to lead portions of services.
Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World)
We emphasize social responsibility, encouraging learners to take action and make a difference locally and globally.
Experiential learning at its best
Our innovative jLAB program brings Jewish learning to life through cooking, music, theater, digital media, STEAM, and more. By tapping into the creativity and curiosity of our learners, we help them internalize Jewish values in tangible, lasting ways.
A Partnership with Families
We know that Jewish learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. We see parents as partners and offer opportunities for family engagement, holiday celebrations, and conversations that extend Jewish learning into the home.
Welcoming Every Learner
Whether your family is Reform, Conservative, traditional, interfaith, or just beginning your Jewish journey, jLAB is a welcoming and affirming space. We support a wide range of learners with different strengths and needs, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where all children can thrive.
What Makes Us Unique
At Temple Beth Sholom, we don’t just teach Judaism – we live it. With curiosity, compassion, and creativity, we guide our learners on a path of discovery that builds Jewish pride, knowledge, and love for a lifetime. jLAB combines tradition with innovation to create an exceptional Jewish educational experience. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Choice-Based Learning: Learners choose from exciting classes that match their interests, like Jewish cooking, robotics, visual art, music, STEAM, digital media, and more.
- Social-Emotional Growth: Through relationship-building, mindfulness, and reflection, we create a space that nurtures the whole learner.
- Joyful Holiday Celebrations: From building sukkot to lighting Hanukkah candles together, our learners experience the rhythms and beauty of the Jewish calendar in interactive, age-appropriate ways.
- Music and Tefillah: Weekly musical tefillah sessions allow learners to sing, move, and connect spiritually in a communal setting, deepening their comfort with Hebrew prayers and melodies.
- Flexible Structure: Our Wednesday schedule provides families with options that suit their needs while still allowing for a full, enriching the learning experience.