Frequently Asked Questions
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Our Programs
- How do I sign my child(ren) up for Religious School? We have a variety of programs designed to meet you and your child where you’re at. You can learn more about them here.
- Can I sign up for more than one program? Absolutely. You may combine any number of programs to create the best experience for your family and your child(ren).
- I want my child to prepare for Bar or Bat Mitzvah. How should I do that? Any of our programs in Grades K-2 count as a year of religious study. Beginning in Grade 3, we ask parents to select both a Jewish Studies and a T’filah Studies course for their child(ren) to help them prepare for their roles as prayer leaders, teachers of Torah, and community leaders — roles affirmed as part of becoming B’nai Mitzvah.
- Why don’t we just have Sunday School like everyone else? At Wise, we believe that all children and all families are different and require a different approach to Jewish study, one that addresses their interests, as well as their schedules. Our offerings are designed to give parents the opportunity to craft the most meaningful and appropriate experiences for their families and their child(ren).
- What option do you think is best for my child(ren)? We’re proud of all our programs, and we heartily recommend that you reach out to us in order to discuss the best options for your family and your child(ren).
Our Safety
Stephen Wise Temple and the Center for Youth Engagement remain steadfast in our commitment to the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of our students, family, faculty, and staff. As such, we enjoy a comprehensive safety and values program designed to promote our community’s health and wellbeing. For specific questions regarding our physical security program, please contact us at [email protected] or 310.889.2211.
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- Who are the people in uniform? They are members of our security force, responsible for safeguarding our campus from all potential dangers. However, they are also beloved members of our community, participating in the daily life of our congregation, camps, and schools. We sincerely hope you’ll get know and love them as much as we do. They enforce our safety and security policies, which includes traffic policies, health policies, and more. Therefore, we expect you to listen to any instructions provided by our security forces or staff and treat them with the utmost respect. Should you have a concern or complaint about an instruction you receive from a guard or staff member, please direct it to us at [email protected] or 310.889.2211.
- How can I make the campus more safe? Safety is everyone’s responsibility at Wise. If you witness any suspicious behaviors or unsafe activities, please notify any of our guards or staff immediately. In doing so, please remember that Wise is a welcoming home to peoples of different ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds. There is no such thing as suspicious people, only suspicious behavior.
- Is that all? I’m so glad you asked! As a religious institution, we remain committed to our community’s emotional and spiritual health, which requires that we treat one another with patience, empathy, and respect. There may be times when you are frustrated with another family or a staff member. However, we expect all our parents to preserve the wellbeing of our community and uphold our sacred Jewish values of kavod, respect, by speaking thoughtfully and respectfully to one another and to our staff at all times.