Mitzvah Secular Sunday School: Openly Secular - Proudly Jewish
We welcome new students throughout the school year. We will prorate tuition for mid-year enrollees. Register now!
Mitzvah Secular Sunday School is the education program for our community, dedicated to preserving and passing on Jewish identity, values, and culture through a non-theistic, humanistic approach. In our school, children learn about Judaism and experience their Jewish heritage through a supportive, non-religious, experiential curriculum. Like you, our families value intentional, meaningful experiences for their children.
Our parents and children come from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who know nothing about Judaism and those who can share their love and knowledge of Jewish culture. In addition to families with two Jewish parents, our Mitzvah Secular Sunday School families include interreligious, interracial, LGBTQ+, and those who have adopted/converted to Judaism. There is a place here for YOU!
Because we welcome families from both the east and west sides of Lake Washington, our Mitzvah Secular classes are located in the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island. The classrooms offer our learners a culturally relevant and welcoming environment for learning. Teachers use cooking, art, and music to engage kids with Jewish culture.
Vaccination Policy: The SJCC has lifted all of its COVID policies . However, we encourage everyone to stay vigilant, and if they are not feeling well, to stay home, and if they have COVID symptoms, to do a home test and seek medical advice.
Our teachers are experienced and bring their own rich and diverse Jewish backgrounds.
Mitzvah Secular Sunday School has spots available now in grades from Pre-K (minimum age 4) through 7th, including B Mitzvah. Mitzvah Secular meets twice a month on Sundays, from September through June (the preschool meets once monthly). Students learn about Jewish identity, holidays, values, and history, all from a secular humanist perspective. Classes meet for two hours and are followed by a thirty-minute closing community “Circle Time” for families and teachers to review the day and do a short activity together. Register here!
During the year, students also get involved with projects outside the classroom. Projects vary but have included tree planting, volunteering at the annual Jewish Family Services Food Sort event, leading holiday events and raising funds for international charities.
B Mitzvah Program
A secular B Mitzvah ceremony signifies a young person’s desire to identify with Jewish culture and is an important expression of the family’s support. Our ceremonies are non-religious, unique to each family, and conducted within the embrace of our community.
School Philosophy
Mitzvah Secular Sunday School families have an opportunity to understand their heritage and identity through exposure to Jewish values, history, and celebrations. Mitzvah Secular curriculum goals are:
- To learn and experience Jewish history, culture, and community.
- To understand one’s heritage and to develop a meaningful Jewish identity.
- To expose students to secular humanistic values, including self-reliance, ethical behavior, social justice, and involvement in family, community and the world.
Monthly Adult Discussion Group
While your child is in class, you can join in the experience! Once a month, we have an adult discussion group held while students are in class.
This is your opportunity as their guardian to explore your own thoughts and feelings about Jewish parenting and identity from a secular perspective. Our conversations often range from our upbringings and beliefs to discussing the role of Jewish rituals and traditions in your family life.
Contact Us with Any Questions!
If you are curious, submit the contact form below to arrange a visit.
For our class list and schedule for the 5784 (2023-2024) academic year, please visit our classes page.