The Northern Hills Synagogue community holds a strong commitment to Jewish education for all age groups. The professional staff and many volunteers work very hard to ensure that education continues to be a top priority. Both formal and informal programming allow us to transfer and share information surrounding Jewish ritual, heritage, history, language, holidays, and many other topics.

We encourage all family members to be a part of our educational program and to learn and participate together. Jewish learning occurs at Northern Hills in many places. We offer special religious services during Shabbat and holidays for our younger congregants and their families. We also conduct inter-generational programs for families, which focus on different themes throughout the year.

Our Religious and Hebrew School program boasts a highly qualified teaching staff and we were recently certified as a Framework for Excellence School by United Synagouge of Conservative Judaism. Our High School aged students learn as part of a community High School program known as Mercaz. We even offer a very unique class for pre-school aged children and their families called Gan Mishpacha. Providing a quality Jewish education for our youth and for all members of the Northern Hills family dor l'dor is a top priority. We are committed to building upon our rich heritage and encouraging its growth through learning.
"And you shall teach them diligently" (Deuteronomy 6:7)

T'filot for Shabbat and Holidays

Tot Shabbat
The Northern Hills Tot Shabbat is held on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:45a.m. This is a very unique way for children to attend services. Children who are aged 4 - 2nd grade will find Tot Shabbat to be a fun alternative service and a place where they can learn new prayer skills. During each session, time is allotted for a special activity that focuses on the Torah parsha of the week. This activity is one that is meant to be energy-filled, participatory, and packed with learning.

Junior Congregation
Third graders thru Sixth graders will love this alternative minyan, which is structured especially for their level. Every 2nd and 4th Saturday at 10:45 a.m., a special service is held, which builds upon the Shabbat prayer service skills of our younger congregants. Not only is the weekly Torah portion discussed, but considerable time is spent on learning and understanding one prayer each week. This minyan allows the young congregants to spend time with their peers, while learning about the significance of some special pieces of the Shabbat liturgy. We also offer a special study session periodically for 5th and 6th graders with Rabbi Mark Washofsky, renown scholar and NHS congregant, who spends time with the children studying Torah text and Torah trope.

Holiday Services
Special services are held each year for younger congregants during the fall High Holidays and other holidays as well. Services are structured differently for varying ages and encourage active participation. Many younger congregants lead parts of the services themselves! Please look at the Northern Hills calendar of events to find out more about holiday services for children and youth.

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Family Education and Multi-Generational Programming

Special services are held each year for younger congregants during the fall High Holidays and other holidays as well. Services are structured differently for varying ages and encourage active participation. Many younger congregants lead parts of the services themselves! Please look at the Northern Hills calendar of events to find out more about holiday services for children and youth.

A special brochure is available, which lists the dates and times in which Shabbat morning services and activities occur. It also lists our Shabbat morning babysitting schedule, which generally occurs every 2nd and 4th Shabbat morning from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

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High School
Northern Hills Synagogue students participate in Mercaz, which the joint high school program of the Conservative congregations in Cincinnati. A variety of classes for grades 8 through 12 are offered on Sunday evenings. Students choose two different courses to take each year. Northern Hills students are also able to meet and socialize with other Jewish high school aged students in Cincinnati during their Mercaz class sessions. Northern Hills Synagogue offers a separate Confirmation class for our 10th grade congregants, which is an experiential program organized by Rabbi Barnard.

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Youth Programs

The synagogue family includes Chaverim (grades 3-5), Kadima (grades 6-8) and United Synagogue Youth (grades 9-12) chapters. These groups provide our young people with an opportunity to socialize, to make new friends through contacts with other youth groups in Cincinnati and throughout the Midwest; and to take part in a wide variety of social, cultural, and religious activities. Our youth group members are encouraged to take leadership roles in United Synagogue Youth (USY) and Kadima and often plan their own events and activities under the supervision of an advisor. In 2003, the Northern Hills Synagogue-USY chapter won the award for most improved chapter in the Great Lakes and Rivers Region, and in 2004, NHS-USY was chosen as the best small chapter in CRUSY. Our youth groups are quite active and a vibrant part of congregational life.

If you would like information about educational programs or upcoming events, please call Tracy Weisberger at: (513) 931-6040 or email tracyw1@fuse.net.

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