On a late afternoon in Hyde Park, the golden light of the setting sun fills a classroom at the Institute for Jewish Enrichment (IJE). Witnessing this transition from day to night are the Institute's youngest learners engaged in their unit on the concept behind
havdalah
(ceremony marking the end of Shabbat). The nursery-aged children dance in the lengthening shadows, draw, and discuss what it feels like to have one week end and another begin. Eventually, their drawings, and quotes from their conversation, are used to create an enclosed mobile, whose shifting pieces capture the feeling of
havdalah
.
It's just one example of how IJE approaches Jewish learning: rooted in ancient tradition, yet deeply attuned to the lived, emotional, and imaginative world of children.
Founded and based in Chicago, the IJE offers a child-centered approach to Jewish education. Its Field School after-school program serves children ages 3 through fifth grade, with additional learning opportunities for middle schoolers and mentorship roles for high school students. They also run full-day programming during public school closures and spring break sessions, plus two weeks of camp before Labor Day.
What makes IJE distinctive is its core commitment: Jewish learning that is "fully entwined with [children's] growth as compassionate, courageous, connected human beings." As Founding Director Rabbi Rebecca Milder explains: "The growth of a child's Judaism and their Jewish literacy is happening at the same time that their growth as a person is happening. And we are intentionally bringing those things together."
Each academic session is shaped by a central theme drawn from Torah, Jewish ritual (
avodah
), or acts of loving kindness (
gemilut chasadim
). Last fall, children ages three through 12 explored the stories of Sarah and Hagar. The same texts, offered across all ages, open up into countless interpretations. "All children at IJE explore the theme each in their own way," said Rabbi Daniel Atwood, Field School Director. "We offer them the text, and they create projects [and] art, play, [and form] interpretations according to what draws their attention."
After encountering a text, children explore the text through "
yetzirah
" (creativity through art)-allowing students to make tangible the questions, interpretations, and emotions inspired in them by the text. "
Yetzirah
builds children's capacities for creativity, for understanding differences, for having conversations around different interpretations," Milder explained. "These are skills we think are essential for our Jewish future, and for contributing to an ancient and ongoing Jewish conversation."
The impact of this approach becomes especially clear as students grow. High school volunteers-many of whom attended IJE as young children-now guide younger students with a notable confidence and openness. College-age alumni choose many different forms of Jewish connection: Hillel, Jewish Greek life, music, teaching, and social action. "They're choosing ways to be Jewish that feel well-matched to who they are," Atwood explained.
Families, too, grow through the experience. At the end of every theme, IJE hosts a Family Exploration and Celebration, inviting parents to grapple with the big questions their children have been investigating. Daily singing and prayer at pickup time also help families transition gently into their evening together.
At its heart, the IJE is cultivating a Judaism that is vibrant, resilient, creative, and alive-because it is shaped by the voices of children.
To register, learn more about IJE, or join their Substack, visit
jewishenrichment.org
.
Jenna Cohen is a marketing and communications professional living in Chicago.
