Students at the Garden City Jewish Center competing in the egg toss at the Lag B’Omer Games The Religious School Program of the GCJC has finished another successful year with its annual Lag B’Omer game day. Lag B’Omer is a fun holiday that marks the halfway point between Passover and Shavuot on the Jewish calendar, usually marked with games and picnics. The students were split into two teams and competed in academic subjects like Jewish History, Bible, Hebrew, Music and Culture. After lunch, there were the traditional Relay races and finally, the Egg Toss! It was not only fun and educational, but the students brought some friends from other houses-of-Worship to join in, and they had a great time, too. The White team, led by Captain Amanda Rosenblatt, defeated the Blue team by only one point, and good sportsmanship prevailed!

The Garden City Jewish Center offers a threehour (8:45AM to 12PM), Sundays-only Religious School program that resumes once again in September. The expert staff offers small group instruction using a variety of materials, and is presented in a high interest, hands-on manner (through Art projects, Music, and games). Three teachers have MS degrees in Education and Special Ed., so tutoring is available to any students who require extra help!

Each week, students actively participate in a service, and several times per year they get to lead the adult congregation as a group. Not only do they learn many of the prayers and music this way, but GCJC students are then capable of conducting the entire Bar or Bat Mitzvah service themselves. There are memorable Holiday parties during the year, and classes that begin for age 3 all the way through Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Most teens even opt to study for Confirmation for two more years.

The Jewish Center draws singles, couples and families from Garden City and many surrounding towns and villages. Children from Interfaith families make up at least half the School’s population, and everybody feels welcomed! Non-Jewish friends and family routinely participate in services. It can be argued that the GCJC has the nicest Rabbi in the world, (Rabbi Stephen Wise Goodman). Carolyn Hoera is Principal and teacher, and Margie Edelman leads the PreK/K, and is resident Artist for all groups. Student Cantor Sarah Krevsky is a gifted guitarist and vocalist who loves working with children.

If you are looking for a warm and friendly Reform Temple, and would like to register your children in the Religious School, (or for answers to any other questions) go to: www.gardencityjewishcenter.org