Cheder
- Hebrew and Jewish Studies for Children
“Teach your children” is at the heart of the culture and faith of Judaism. The OJC works very hard to fulfil this mitzvah, particularly in relation to its children.
The Oxford Jewish Congregation’s Cheder teaches Hebrew and Jewish studies to children between the ages of 5 to 15 years. At the end of the senior class children may sit a GCSE in Jewish studies.
Children are accepted into cheder classes once they have reached the age of 5 and have begun primary school. Those who have attended Playshul find the transition particularly easy, but new arrivals are always welcome at whatever age. We have a considerable transient population in Oxford, and are adept at accommodating children who may only be here for a short while, or who wish to engage with the community at any age.
We also welcome children of those who are not members of the OJC. Fees for cheder are paid as part of OJC subscription. Non-members pay for cheder by cheque.
If you wish to enrol your children in the OJC cheder, or would like to look around the cheder with a view to joining, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please contact us to discuss a visit or to get an application form.
Classes are held at the OJC weekly during term-times starting promptly at 9.40am and finishing at 12.30pm.
The cheder was restructured for the academic year beginning September 2010. There are now 3 sessions: one focuses on Hebrew, one on Jewish culture and the third offers a ‘circus’ of activities. Examples are: extended Hebrew reading; modern Hebrew; drama, art and music; a hands-on guide to the synagogue services; cookery. Parent help is essential to run these extra interest groups. There are plans for workshops in klezmer, Yiddish and Jewish genealogy.
Once each term the classes meet on Shabbat in the morning instead of Sunday morning, and go in turn to each of the three types of service that take place at the OJC. Term one saw the cheder children at the Orthodox service, term two at the Liberal progressive service, and in term three they will go to a masorti service. They are well prepared to take part in each of these services. The aim is that they will grow up to be familiar with and comfortable with several strands of Jewish religious practice, no matter what their personal background.
Parents run a tuck shop where the currency is partly made up of credits which the children can gain for good attendance, work and behaviour, and where items must be ordered in Hebrew. This is proving to be a great success!
Parent involvement is strongly encouraged at the OJC, being positive on many levels including the good example it sets for the children, emphasising that parents consider the cheder commitment to be an important one.