Livestreaming | Giving | Contact Us

Registration

2025-2026 School Year

Registration

Lese Center for Living Judaism (LCLJ)

Bringing Jewish Learning to Life

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open.

Please email Jamie Spock if you have any questions about the registration process. 


LCLJ Program Overview 

LCLJ Uptown (Pre-K–6)

  • Weekly courses using project-based learning (PBL)
  • Choice between days for most grades
  • Exploration of Judaic topics through technology, art, movement, and more
  • Classes are held at the Community House (123 E55th Street)

LCLJ Downtown (Pre-K–7)

  • Weekly courses using Project-Based Learning (PBL)
  • Exploration of Judaic topics through technology, art, movement, and more
  • Classes are held at our downtown satellite location at the Hebrew Union College

LCLJ Shabbat (Pre-K–6)

  • A family Shabbat experience twice per month on Saturday mornings
  • A family-centered service led by Cantor Ellen Dreskin with Central educators and Clergy
  • A weekly 30-minute online Hebrew tutoring session through the online learning platform, Hebrew Homepage at the Jewish Journeys Project

CenSyn Teens (7–12)

  • B’nei Mitzvah and beyond
  • Weekly seminars for grades 7–9
  • Grade 10 Confirmation class with Central Clergy
  • Monthly seminar discussions on relevant topics for grades 11–12

Tuition 

Grade   Tuition 2025-2026
Pre-K   $1,150
K–2nd grade   $1,150
3rd–5th grade   $2,650
6th grade   $3,975
7th grade   $2,650
8th–9th grade Weekly $1,795
  2x/month $950
10th grade   $2,200
11th–12th grade   $550

LCLJ Day & Time Options by Grade

Below are the scheduling options for all grades for the 2025-2026 school year. If your preferred day is full, please register for a different day for that grade and email Jamie Spock to request to be added to the waitlist for your preferred day. Registration must be completed in order to be added to the waitlist. 

GradeOptionDay of the WeekLocation
Pre-KLCLJ UptownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
KindergartenLCLJ UptownMondays; 4:15–5:45 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
1st GradeLCLJ UptownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
2nd GradeLCLJ UptownMondays; 4:15–5:45 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
3rd GradeLCLJ UptownMondays; 4:15–6:15 pmCommunity House 
 LCLJ UptownTuesdays; 4:15–6:15 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownWednesdays; 4:15-6:15 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
4th GradeLCLJ UptownMondays; 4:15–6:15 pmCommunity House 
 LCLJ UptownTuesdays; 4:15–6:15 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownWednesday; 4:15–6:15 pm Hebrew Union College 
 LCLJ DowntownThursdays; 4:15–6:15 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
5th GradeLCLJ UptownWednesdays; 4:30–6:30 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ UptownThursdays; 4:30–6:30 pm FULLCommunity House 
 LCLJ DowntownWednesdays; 4:15–6:15 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ DowntownThursdays; 4:15–6:15 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
6th GradeLCLJ UptownWednesdays; 4:30–6:30 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ UptownThursdays; 4:30–6:30 pm FULLCommunity House 
 LCLJ DowntownThursdays; 4:15–6:15 pmHebrew Union College
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
7th GradeLCLJ UptownThursdays; 5:00–6:30 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownThursdays; 4:45-6:15 pm 
    
8th & 9th GradesLCLJ UptownTuesdays; 6:15–7:30 pm; either weekly or bi-monthlyCommunity House
    
10th GradeLCLJ UptownTuesdays; 6:15–7:30 pmCommunity House
    
11th & 12th GradesLCLJ Uptown1 Tuesday/month; 6:15–7:30 pmCommunity House
  1 Additional class/Month for 12th grade only. 

Registration FAQs

Just give me the highlights.

  • Choice of day and/or time
  • Program options: LCLJ Uptown, LCLJ Downtown, LCLJ Shabbat
  • Project-based learning (PBL)

  • Engaging programing for 7th–12th graders

What are the options this year (2025-2026)?

For grades PreK-6, families can register for either LCLJ Uptown or LCLJ Downtown (after-school), or LCLJ Shabbat (two Saturdays per month).

7th grade can register can register for LCLJ Uptown or LCLJ Downtown. Grades 8-12 can register for LCLJ Uptown exclusively.


Do I have to be a member of Central Synagogue to register my child?

LCLJ registration is a benefit of membership. To learn more about becoming a Central member, please visit us here or contact [email protected]


What are the different options for 8th and 9th graders?

Our flexible options take our teens’ busy lives into consideration, allowing them to stay connected to the Central community on their own schedule. Teens are invited to attend every Tuesday or up to two Tuesdays a month, choosing from the classes below:

•    Trip Seminar (with option to attend the Civil Rights/Immigration Justice trip)
•    Jewish cooking and culture
•    Current events
•    Tuesday BBYO (youth group) programming

8th and 9th graders do not have to choose the same classes each month; for example, they can attend current events and BBYO one month, and Jewish cooking and culture and BBYO the next. 

Those who plan to attend the Trip must attend the Trip Seminar every month.

You can learn more about our teen programming here.

If you have questions, please reach out to Eve Morin.


Will days of the week get full?

YES! Please register for the day that is available in your child's grade and contact us so we can add your child to a waitlist. 


What is LCLJ Shabbat and who is it for?

LCLJ Shabbat is a family experience for students in grades Pre-K–6. Twice per month, families come together for a Shabbat morning service, learning, and community building led by Cantor Mia Davidson with Central educators and Clergy. This is a perfect track for families who want to celebrate Shabbat together with the Central community, or who don’t want to add an additional weekday commitment to their child’s schedule, but who still seek to incorporate Jewish learning. LCLJ Shabbat 3rd-6th graders also have a weekly half-hour 1:1 online tutoring session run through the Hebrew Homepage at the Jewish Journeys Project and structured to fit the Hebrew needs of your child.


What about Hebrew?

Every pre-K through 6th grade student receives formal Hebrew instruction as part of the LCLJ curriculum. Students in Pre-K through 1st grades receive exposure to Hebrew words sprinkled throughout their curriculum. In 2nd grade, students begin the process of learning Hebrew letters, vowels, and sounds, and putting them together to create small words. Beginning in 3rd grade, students are divided into small groups by level. Decoding begins in 3rd grade and continues through 6th. Learning includes reviewing the Alef-Bet up through learning modern Hebrew. Students in LCLJ Shabbat receive one-on-one virtual tutoring, provided through the Hebrew Homepage at the Jewish Journeys Project and scheduled between parents and tutors.


I didn’t think my child needed to attend religious school until 3rd grade. Why should I consider pre-K–2 education?

The LCLJ is a comprehensive program that begins in pre-kindergarten and ends in 12th grade. While students must be enrolled no later than 3rd grade to receive a b’nei mitzvah date in 4th grade, we strongly encourage parents to register their children sooner so as not to miss out on vital learning and community-building opportunities that are the foundation of Jewish education in the upper grades.


What is project-based learning?


What are tuition rates?

Different grades have different cost structures depending on the number of hours they are in class. LCLJ Uptown, LCLJ Downtown, and LCLJ Shabbat have the same price for each grade. Please visit our Registration page for tuition details.


 

CONTACT US


QUICK LINKS


LOCATIONS