The Synagogue has always regarded education as central to the life of the Synagogue. There are a number of regular groups and classes devoted to education, formal and informal. For information, please contact the Synagogue office at admin@npls.org.uk and read our Newsletter.

Cheder Handbook
For full details of our Educational Programmes for children and young people up to age 16 click here

Creche
The creche is held during services on Saturday mornings and on Festival mornings. Parents may leave their children aged from birth to six or take them there if they become restive during a service.

Nippers@Northwood
Most Friday mornings from 10am until Midday. For dates check our Newsletter click here

Tots Shabbat
Saturday morning once a month. For dates check our Newsletter click here

Reception Class
For children born between 1 September 2003 and 31 August 2004. This group meets once a month, has a creative Jewish theme provides a opportuity for children to socialise, amd prepares them for Kitta Aleph. For further information click here

Kita Aleph (School Year 1)
Held on average twice a month on Saturday mornings. The class provides a link to the more formal weekly Cheder sessions, which start a year after the child has completed the class. With the emphasis on enjoyment, the use of drama, music and arts and crafts are used to cover a variety of subjects, including Festivals, Bible stories, the Synagogue and home observance. Children may join provided they are five years old by 31 August in that year.

Cheder
Pupils attend the Cheder on Saturday, when Grades 1 to 8 are covered. Assemblies are varied and the children are encouraged to form their own creative service utilising material from projects studied throughout the year. There are 9 grades, including the Kabbalat Torah class. Children may join Class 2 provided they are six years old by 31 August in that year.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah
These ceremonies are held at the request of parents and only under certain conditions eg additional tuition, regular Synagogue and Cheder attendance, agreement to continue the child’s religious education up to Kabbalat Torah.
Adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies are encouraged.

Kabbalat Torah
Dating back to the very foundations of Progressive Judaism in the early 19th century, Kabbalat Torah both recognises religious equality for men and women in Judaism and the fact that at 15 or 16 a person has matured to a point where they are better able to make a more reasoned affirmation of their Jewish identity. We also know that the years following Bar/Bat Mitzvah are of vital importance in the development of a mature religious awareness. Classes are held from Bar and Bat Mitzvah, culminating in the ceremony created jointly by the students and the Rabbis.

In the Kabbalat Torah year, students have the option to prepare for and take GCSE Religious Studies - Judaism.

Adult Education
Classes and group sessions are held throughout the year on a wide and varied range of subjects.