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Registration

2026-2027 School Year

Registration

Lese Center for Living Judaism (LCLJ)

Bringing Jewish Learning to Life

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open on the following dates:

  • Current LCLJ PreK-2nd grade and 9th grade families: March 10
  • All other current LCLJ families: March 17
  • Central members who are not currently enrolled in LCLJ: April 14
  • Central membership waitlist and general public: April 28

Please email April James if you have any questions or are interested in registering your child for LCLJ.


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 art, technology, music, and more
  • Classes are held at the Community House (123 E55th Street)

LCLJ Downtown (Pre-K–7)

  • Weekly courses using Project-Based Learning (PBL)
  • Choice between days for many grades
  • Exploration of Judaic topics through art, technology, music, and more
  • Class location is TBD. 

LCLJ Shabbat (Pre-K–6)

  • A family Shabbat experience twice per month on Saturday mornings
  • A family-centered service led by Cantor Mia Davidson and songleader Syd Bakal with Central educators and Clergy
  • 3rd-6th Grade: 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 7th grade
  • Bi-weekly seminars for grades 8-9
  • Grade 10 Confirmation class with Central Clergy
  • Bi-weekly seminar discussions on relevant topics for grades 11–12

Grade   Tuition 2026-2027
Pre-K - 2nd grade   $1,300
3rd grade   $2,775
4th-5th grade   $2,985
6th grade (includes retreat)   $4,400
7th grade $2,775
8th Grade - Biweekly $1,250
9th grade - Biweekly $1,250
10th grade   $2,300
11th - 12th grade   $1,000

LCLJ Day & Time Options by Grade

Below are the scheduling options for all grades for the 2026-2027 school year. If your preferred day is full, please register for a different day for that grade and email April James 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 pmTBD
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
KindergartenLCLJ UptownMondays; 4:15–5:45 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmTBD
 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 pmTBD
 LCLJ Shabbat2 Saturdays/month; 9:00–11:30 amCommunity House
    
2nd GradeLCLJ UptownMondays OR Wednesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownTuesdays; 4:15–5:45 pmTBD
 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 DowntownTuesdays; 4:15–6:15 pmTBD
 LCLJ DowntownWednesdays; 4:15-6:15 pmTBD
 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 DowntownWednesdays; 4:15-6:15 pmTBD
 LCLJ DowntownThursdays; 4:15-6:15 pmTBD
 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 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownWednesdays; 4:15–6:15 pmTBD
 LCLJ DowntownThursdays; 4:15–6:15 pmTBD
 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 pmCommunity House
 LCLJ DowntownWednesdays; 4:15–6:15 pmTBD
 LCLJ DowntownThursdays; 4:15–6:15 pmTBD
 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; bi-monthlyCommunity House
    
10th GradeLCLJ UptownTuesdays; 6:15–7:30 pmCommunity House
    
11th & 12th GradesLCLJ UptownTuesdays; 6:15–7:30 pm; bi-monthlyCommunity House
    

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 (2026-2027)?

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 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. Your membership becomes active upon LCLJ enrollment, and your membership type is reflective of your current household makeup. To learn more about becoming a Central member, please visit us here or contact membership@censyn.org,


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

More information coming soon. 


Will days of the week get full?

YES! Please register for the day that is available in your child's grade and contact April James so she can add your child to a waitlist. Register as soon as you’re able to ensure you can enroll in your preferred day.


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 and schedule 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. Decoding begins in 3rd grade and continues through 6th.Learning includes the Alef-Bet and vowels, prayer fluency, and modern Hebrew. 


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 at the end of their 3rd grade year, 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.


 

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