Known as the People of the Book, Jews have long valued education – both formal and informal, religious and secular. Our Kids & Teens section covers all of these traditional elements. Schools for all ages address formal education, while camps and youth groups offer the equally-important opportunities for socializing and community involvement.
Kids & Teens: Families
PJ Library Portland
Caron Blau Rothstein, Manager
6680 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503-245-6219 Fax: 503-245-6603
pjlibrary@jewishportland.org, www.jewishportland.org/pjlibrary
PJ (Pajama) Library, a Jewish Federation program, supports families raising Jewish children through the gift of high-quality Jewish children’s books and music, along with resources, events and programs. ALL Jewish families – dual heritage, single parent, same sex couples, traditional, cultural, etc. – with children ages 6 months-6 years are encouraged to enroll AT NO COST to you as part of our community’s commitment to creating a vibrant Jewish community for all.
PJ Library Bend/Central Oregon
pjlibrarybend@gmail.com
541- 504-1160
PJ Library Eugene/Lane County
pjlibrary@tbieugene.org
541-485-7218
PJ Library Salem/Corvallis
office@tbsholom.org
503-362-5004
PJ Library Southern Oregon/Rogue Valley
andreashupack@gmail.com
541-218-6766
Mommy and Me
6612 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97239
503-977-7850
Education: Preschools
Beth Israel Early Childhood Education
1972 NW Flanders Portland, OR 97209
503-222-2037
Early Childhood Learning Center at PJA Portland Jewish Academy
6651 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219
503-535-3536
Foundation School
Congregation Neveh Shalom 2900 SW Peaceful Lane Portland, OR 97239
503-246-8831 x122
Gan-Garret Preschool Vancouver
9604 NE 126th Ave., Ste. 2320 Vancouver, WA 98682
360-256-0859
The Gan: Portland Jewish Preschool
6612 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503- 977-7850
mimi@portlandjewishpreschool.com, www.PortlandJewishPreschool.com
At The Gan, children are in a creative, progressive, Reggio-inspired Jewish environment and grow with the support of loving and nurturing staff. We believe that children learn best through teacher-supported play and creative open-ended activities. Children are encouraged to explore their world in a thoughtfully planned setting and in natural, eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing surroundings. We strive to inspire curiosity, creativity and compassion in a joyfully Jewish environment!
Gan Neve Shalom
Havurah Shir Hadash 185 N. Mountain Ave. Mail: PO Box 1262 Ashland, OR 97520
541-488-8887
Milt & Cissi Carl Parent-Child Preschool
Congregation Shaarie Torah 920 NW 25th Ave.
Portland, OR 97210
503-226-6131
Pomegranate Preschool for the Arts
Temple Emek Shalom 1800 E. Main St.
Mail: PO Box 1107 Ashland, OR 97520
541-488-2909
Day Schools
Maayan Torah Day School
2900 SW Peaceful Lane Portland, OR 97239
503-245-5568
Maimonides Jewish Day School
Devora Wilhelm, Director Simi Mishulovin, Admissions Director
6612 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97239
503-977-7850
office@maimonidesjds.org, www.maimonidesjds.org
The mission of Maimonides Jewish Day School (MJDS) is to provide and promote the highest quality Judaic and General Studies education to a diverse community of Jewish children. The MJDS program synthesizes traditional Jewish learning with progressive education theory to create an academically engaging environment, designed to foster a lifetime love of learning. Children in kindergarten through eighth grade thrive in an atmosphere infused with curiosity and respect for all.
Portland Jewish Academy
Merrill Hendin, Principal Inge Hoogerhuis, Admission Director Beth Germain, CFO
6651 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503-244-0126 Fax: 503-452-7001
office@pjaproud.org, www.pjaproud.org
PJA is a Jewish community day school accredited by Northwest Association of Independent Schools and a member of RAVSAK, the Jewish Community
Day School consortium. Our mission is to ensure an academically excellent environment in which children thrive. PJA inspires positive Jewish engagement, respect for differences and responsibility for our world. PJA’s commitment to teaching students to think for themselves and work for the world is evident in our classrooms and our commitment to service.
Hebrew/Religious Schools
Beit Haverim Religious Schools
Sue Greenspan, President Rabbi Alan Berg Michelle Bombet Minch, Board Member
Classes: 1111 Country Club Dr. Mail: PO Box 311 Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-568-1241
office@beithav.org, www.beithav.org
We offer quality Jewish education for preschoolers through teenagers, including Hebrew, tutoring and preparation for B’nai Mitzvot, and Confirmation class. We provide spiritual and moral foundations for lifelong Jewish learning and practice through instruction in Bible stories, weekly parsha, Jewish music, dance, art and Israeli programming.
Congregation Beth Israel Education Department
Michael Z. Cahana, Senior Rabbi Sydney Baer, Executive Director Jemi Kostiner Mansfield, Congregational Affairs Director
1972 NW Flanders St. Portland, OR 97209
503-222-1069 Fax: 503-274-1400
resources@bethisrael-pdx.org, www.bethisrael-pdx.org
Our education department serves Jews of all ages. Our nationally accredited Religious School and state certified Preschool guide students to apply Judaism’s teachings to their personal lives and our world, while adults find educational programming for those new to Judaism and the more advanced student.
Chabad Hebrew Schools
Southwest: 503-246- 5437
Southeast: 503-236-6642
Northeast: 503-477-6696
Hillsboro: 503-747-5363
Vancouver, WA: 360-993-5222
Congregation Kol Ami Education
Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker Lauren Trexler, Director of Education Robin Hayden, President
7800 NE 119th St. Vancouver, WA 98665
360-896-8088
admin@jewishvancouverusa.org, www.jewishvancouverusa.org
Congregation Kol Ami education programs include a K-12 weekly religious school, a weekly Hebrew School, and Adult education all supervised by an Education Director plus congregational support. Enhancing the programs are age-appropriate social groups to heighten the learning and to facilitate in Tikkun Olam.
Havurah Shalom Education
Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director
825 NW 18th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662 Fax: 503-248-4668
info@havurahshalom.org, www.havurahshalom.org
Havurah is a participatory community raising our children to live lives rich in Jewish community and spirit. Our Shabbat School (K-6) is a family cooperative, with our parents teaching and learning alongside our children. We also have Middle and High School and Lifelong Learning programs.
Neveh Shalom Religious Schools
2900 SW Peaceful Lane Portland, OR 97239
503-293-7312
P’Nai Or of Portland Simcha School
9750 SW Terwilliger Blvd. Portland, OR 97219
503-248-4500
Shaarie Torah Education Program
Rabbi Joshua Rose Dorice Horenstein, Education Director Michael Imlah, Office Manager
920 NW 25th Ave. Portland, OR 97210 503-226-6131 Fax: 503-226-0241 stdir@shaarietorah.org www.shaarietorah.org
Passing on our traditions is important and Shaarie Torah features a broad range of learning opportunities for adults, teens and children.
Our education framework enables individuals and families to discover what it means to be Jewish in a safe and supportive environment.
SHIR TIKVAH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Rabbi Ariel Stone Katie Schneider, Education Director
7550 NE Irving St. Portland, OR 97213 503-473-8227 Education@shirtikvahpdx.org shirtikvahpdx.org
Shir Tikvah’s innovative program encourages students to connect to Judaism in a lasting way. We offer 18 Sunday sessions per year, along with congregation-wide celebrations for the whole family. It’s fun, meaningful and on Portland’s eastside.
Camps:
Day Camps
Camp Seed
6688 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503-245-5420
Gan Israel Day Camp
6612 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97239
503-246-KIDS (5437)
Mittleman Jewish Community Center Day Camp
6651 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503-244-0111
PJA Summer Discovery
6651 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503-244-0126
Resident Camps
B’Nai B’Rith Camp
Michelle Koplan, Executive Director David Zimmerman, Camp Director Barb Gordon, Registrar
Mail: 9400 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy. #147 Beaverton, OR 97005
503-452-3443
Fax: 503-452-0750
dzimmerman@bbcamp.org, www.bbcamp.org
B’nai B’rith Camp, located on Devils Lake near the Oregon coast, offers a range of activities including arts and crafts, dance, Jewish enrichment, Israeli culture, Shabbat celebrations, high ropes course & climbing tower, out-of-camp trips, wakeboarding, kayaking and hydro-tubing. Specialty programs include Outdoor Jewish Adventure for 11th graders and Kehila, an inclusive program for children with special needs. BB Camp is JCC affiliated and accredited by the American Camp Association.
Camp Solomon Schechter
Sam Perlin, Executive Director David Furman, Assistant Director Carolyn D’Albora, Registrar
Mail: 117 E. Louisa St. #110 Seattle, WA 98102-3203
206-447-1967 Fax: 206-447-2629
info@campschechter.org, www.campschechter.org
Camp Solomon Schechter has a 60-year tradition of fun, friendship and Jewish education in the Pacific Northwest. We create a unique, welcoming and spiritual Jewish environment, offering an innovative experience for youth of all denominations entering 2nd-12th grades. At Schechter, Judaism and joy are truly one! Our spectacular 170-acre wooded facility located near Olympia WA, features breathtaking views of our private lake and hiking in the untouched beauty of our own forests and protected wetlands.
JWest Campership Program
720-242-7482
www.onehappycamper.org
URJ Camp Kalsman
425-284-4484 (winter) 360-435-9302(summer)
URJ Camp Newman
Winter Office: 703 Market St, Ste. 1300 San Francisco, CA 94103
707-571-7657
Youth Groups
BBYO
Portland: 503- 345-9451
Eugene: 503-349-6605
Jr. NCSY
Aviva Jacoby, Portland Jr. NCSY Director
503-504-6430
aviva@ncsy.org
Shira Melul, Eugene Jr. NCSY Director 503-221-1934
shiramelul@ncsy.org
North American Federation of Temple Youth
Congregation Beth Israel, Portland
503-758-7811
Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation
503-248-9328
Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation is a program to secure the future of Jewish philanthropy and to develop a strong generation of future Jewish leaders. High school students, grades 9-12, experience what it is like to serve on a nonprofit board and experience the challenges and rewards of philanthropy. Application required.
NCSY
Meira Spivak, Oregon NCSY Director Doovie Jacoby, Portland NCSY Director Shira Melul, Eugene NCSY Director
6688 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, OR 97219
503-757-3037 | meira@ncsy.org 503-504-1301
doovie@ncsy.org 503-221-1934
shiramelul@ncsy.org www.portland.ncsy.org
NCSY is the premier organization dedicated to connect, inspire and empower Jewish teens. NCSY offers a Jr. NCSY program for middle schoolers (see listing above), a full service NCSY for high school students and an Akiva college program at the University of Oregon (see campus groups). NCSY runs local programming at Starbucks and the MJCC, local and long-distance Shabbaton retreats and a full array of summer programs to satisfy the needs of any Jewish teen.
United Synagogue Youth
Pacific NW Regional Office: 503-246- 8077
Neveh Shalom: 503-246-8831
Shaarie Torah: 503-226-6131
Special Needs Resources
Kehila
For campers with special needs at BB Camp
503-452-3443
dduren@bbcamp.org
Kehillah Housing at CSP
(Special needs housing) 6125 SW Boundary Street Portland, OR 97221
503-535-4300
TASK, Your Jewish Connection to Disability Awareness JFCS
503-226-7079, ext. 155
Corinne@jfcs-portland.org
Tikvah, Social/Recreation for Ages 18+ JFCS
503-226-7079, ext. 155
Corinne@jfcs-portland.org
