The Community Synagogue Religious School

Religious School

Click here to see our Religious School Brochure.

The Community Synagogue Religious School offers a dynamic and engaging environment for learning.  With over 500 students in the school from Grades K-12 and a staff of over 30 teachers, there is always something exciting happening in our school hallways.  Jewish education at The Community Synagogue is designed to deepen one's Jewish experience and knowledge in order to strengthen faith in God, love of Torah, and identification with the Jewish people. We want our children to grow up with a sense of what it means to be a Jew, be comfortable participating in a prayer service, and to have positive feelings about their Jewish identity.   Making connections to the home and partnering with parents is essential to our mission, and we offer many opportunities to make Jewish education a family experience.

Please feel free to contact our Director of Education, Shari Isserles, with any questions or more information about any of our programs.

Religious School Registration

You can quickly and easily register your child(ren) for our Religious School by clicking here.  NEW families should contact Shari Isserles, Director of Education, at 883-3144 x318 prior to registering.

REGISTER for Religious School and/or POWTY

Religious School Staff

Shari Isserles - Director of Education

(516) 883-3144 x318 shari@commsyn.org 

Shari Isserles has served as the Director of Education at The Community Synagogue for the past 14 years.  She received her Masters of Religious Education (M.A.R.E.) degree from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion after doing her undergraduate studies at Boston University.  Before joining our staff, she served as RS Director at Temple Beth David of Commack.

Shari has extensive experience in Jewish educational leadership, educational development and engagement.  She has a breadth of experience with kids of all ages from our youngest learners to our adult learners.  Shari strives to keep our synagogue on the cutting edge of Jewish education and has brought many innovative programs to our learners, including the FLAME (Family Learning & Mitzvah Education) Program, Hebrew Through Movement, Parent/Child cooking workshops and various Tikkun Olam projects.   In addition to her congregational work, Shari serves as a Board Member of the Association for Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE).
  
Shari has always had a strong connection to Jewish camping.  She grew up as a camper and later spent many summers as a staff member at the URJ Eisner Camp.  She continues to spend time at camp as a member of the faculty where her son is now a 3rd generation camper.

Shari, her husband Paul and son Michael live here in Port Washington.  Outside of her professional life, Shari most enjoys spending time with family and friends.  She also loves chocolate, the NY Mets and binge watching episodes of The West Wing.

Susan Freire - Education Office Manager

516-883-3144  Ext. 316  relschool@commsyn.org

Sue Freire was promoted to Education Office Manager after serving nine years as Administrative Assistant of both our Early Childhood Center and Religious School. Before coming to The Community Synagogue Sue worked as the administrator of another faith-based preschool. Sue always has a smile and is always willing to help you with all of your Early Childhood Center and Religious School questions and needs.

Orly Danialian -  Assistant Director of Religious Education

Orly Danalian, Assistant Director of Religious School  (516) 883-3144 x343 orly@commsyn.org

Orly grew up in Israel and served in the IDF for two years. She came to the United States in 1995 where she met her husband and currently lives on Long Island with her husband and three kids. She has been a part of The Communtiy Synagogue family since 2004 where she started as a Religious School teacher. She currenty helps to manage the Religious School by working closely with teachers, parents and students. Orly loves to get involved creating new and exciting curriculum and special programs.Her creativity and energy helps make our school a vibrant learning community for all.

School Numbers & Email Addresses

Synagogue Phone (516) 883-3144

Synagogue Fax (516) 883-4203

Direct Dial Phone Number (516) 441-0842

Religious School Office  (516) 883-3144  x342 relschool@commsyn.org  

Shari Isserles, Director of Education  (516) 883-3144 x318   shari@commsyn.org

Orly Danalian, Assistant Director of Religious School  (516) 883-3144 x343 orly@commsyn.org

Susan Freire, School Office Manager, (516) 883-3144 x316 relschool@commsyn.org