FAQs – Hebrew School to You

Firstly, what is Hebrew School to You?
Hebrew School is a revolutionary program offering quality Jewish education throughout Washington DC! You choose the time, location, and topic, find some friends (if you’d like), and we provide experienced educators and dynamic content. That’s the short answer. For details, just check out our FAQs section below! If you still have questions, please let us know.
What topics do you teach?
Each class is designed to help you reach your educational goals for your children. Topics have included:
- Hebrew language (all levels)
- Jewish history
- Tefillah (prayer)
- Parsha (weekly Torah portion)
- Holidays
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation
- Jewish stories and songs
- Mitzvot and community values
And we’re always open to new ideas, too!
If classes are small, how will my child make other Jewish friends?
We offer exciting programming throughout the year that brings children from all of our classes together. Examples include:
- Shofar Factory
- Matzah Bakery
- Purim Carnival
- Winter and Summer Camps
- Synagogue Shabbat Programs
- Library Story Hours
HSTY provides many opportunities for our families to become a community.
How often do classes meet?
Typically, classes meet for a minimum of one hour weekly. You can also choose to add additional time (pro‑rated) or increase frequency (two or more times per week). There is a minimum commitment of 6 classes, though schedules may be non‑consecutive or skip a week depending on coordination between teacher and student.
Why Hebrew School to You vs. Traditional Hebrew School?
Regardless of your Jewish background or level of Jewish education, Hebrew School to You is a great choice! Because we tailor‑design each class based on its participants, it can work for anyone—from families completely uninvolved in Jewish life to those deeply engaged in Jewish day school and regular services.
I know classes are offered at the 'location of my choice,' but what does that actually mean?
We’re open to anywhere in DC! Suggestions include:
- Your home
- Your child’s school (e.g., during after-care)
- A public library
- Our locations in Kalorama, Spring Valley, or Capitol Hill
- Zoom (or other virtual platforms)
Please note:
- If the class isn’t at one of our locations, another adult must be present.
- In-person lessons are also available for students in hospitals, in-patient or long-term care facilities.
What is the Cancellation Policy?
- Private classes: A makeup credit is issued if you give the teacher at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations within 24 hours or no-shows are not eligible for a makeup credit.
- Group classes: A makeup credit is only given when at least 50% of the class cannot attend, leading to a class cancellation. If your child can’t attend, please notify the teacher as soon as possible.
How do the group classes work? What if I don’t know another family to join with my child?
Group classes generally require a minimum of 3 children. Learning alongside peers helps build friendships and foster group discussion. Whenever possible, we’ll help pair your child with students of a similar grade. We may also have existing classes your child can join. Private tutoring is also available if better for achieving your child’s goals.
I would have loved this program when I was a kid—do you offer this for adults too?
You’re in luck! We now offer Iyun, a program track for adult students of all ages (from college seniors through senior citizens). Gather a friend (or two), pick your topic, and we’ll provide the teacher. It’s also perfect for parents who wish to explore the subjects their children are learning or for individual adult study.
With all the customization and privatized learning, is the program super expensive?
We strive to make our program accessible to all Jewish families—no child is ever turned away for lack of funds. Our prices are competitive and all-inclusive. There is a minimum commitment of 6 classes. There are no membership fees, book fees, or registration fees.
Rates (effective August 1, 2024):
- Group Lessons (3+ students): $60 per student per hour
- Semi-Private Lessons (2 students): $75 per student per hour
- Private Tutoring & Bar Mitzvah Training: $115 per student per hour
I still have a few more questions...
Feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email! We’d also be happy to connect you with one of our Parent Ambassadors, who can share their experience and answer your questions.
I'm in! So what do I do next?
Click here to submit a registration form! We'll contact you shortly afterward to discuss how we can best meet your needs.