Machon Hadash is our tight-knit community of young learners, who meet to learn, pray, and play together while Shabbat services happen in the sanctuary. We cover all the core learning material you might expect: Torah, holidays, Hebrew, Israel and Jewish peoplehood, and prayers – all in a spirit of fun, curiosity, and mutual support.

We understand that joining a Jewish community is a big commitment that may take some time. We warmly welcome families who are not members of Or Hadash to join us at Machon Hadash for a school year before making a decision about whether Or Hadash is the right Jewish home for their family.

Immersive Shabbat morning learning for K-7th grade, 9:30am-noon

Our Shabbat morning children’s program creates genuinely experiential learning for our children, bringing our entire multi-generational community together, and conveying to our kids early on that Shabbat, synagogue, Jewish learning, and community go together. We believe that the creative constraints of Shabbat help form a container for the specialness of the day - on Shabbat morning, we don’t write, do crafts, or cook, for example. But that doesn’t hold us back! We pray, tell stories, sing, do improv, debate, read, and play lots of games. Our goal is for our children to feel the ways in which Shabbat is a special day, for them to develop a sense that synagogue is their special place. At the end of the morning, many families stay for our community kiddush lunch, giving children and parents time to relax, chat, play, and build friendships.

Mid-week learning (Grades 3 - 6)

In order to support their Hebrew learning, our 3-6th graders must have an additional Hebrew class mid-week. This year, students have two options for mid-week Hebrew, outlined below.

Option 1: Children can participate in the Atlanta Hebrew Connection program, which offers virtual prayer-based Hebrew learning. Machon Hadash kids will learn in small groups with other Jewish children across Atlanta, building new friendships while they build Hebrew skills. Families have a choice of day and time for their child’s class. Weekly virtual sessions are 45 minutes each, and children are assigned homework in between. This option is heavily subsidized by Federation, but please note that the cost of this program ($515) must be paid in full before the school year begins, and cannot be refunded.

Option 2: Children can opt for Hebrew tutoring through Machon Hadash, either in person or over Zoom, between 4:00 and 6:00pm on Wednesdays. Children learn to decode, and then move on to Prayerbook Hebrew; Conversational Hebrew is available for more advanced learners. Sessions are 30 minutes each, and space is limited.

If you have questions about the different Hebrew options, or would like to discuss outside learning options (e.g. a private tutor) or the possibility of pairing with another child for semi-private tutoring, please reach out to amy@or-hadash.org.

Tuition

Early bird registration through May 31, 2024

K-2nd grade  (Shabbat only) $650

3-6th grade (Shabbat + Atlanta Hebrew Connection): $1275

3-6th grade (Shabbat + 1:1 Tutoring): $1500

After May 31, 2024

K-2nd grade  (Shabbat only) $700

3-6th grade (Shabbat + Atlanta Hebrew Connection): $1375

3-6th grade (Shabbat + 1:1 Tutoring): $1600

If a financial situation is preventing you from enrolling your child, please reach out.

We want your child to be part of our learning community!

Calendar

Our session generally follow the calendar of our local public schools, with a little extra cushion to settle into school and enjoy all of your end-of-the-year festivities — we begin just after Labor Day, and end the first weekend in May. You’ll find our full calendar here.

Register here
If you are ready to register, welcome! You’ll find the registration form here.

Questions? Ideas? I’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to Dr. Amy Robertson, our Director of Lifelong Learning and Music, at amy@or-hadash.org