GESHER is a collaborative educational initiative forged by Beth El Temple and Chisuk Emuna Congregation to create an innovative approach of offering supplementary religious, family, and adult education experiences open to our members and our broader community. Rabbi Ilyse S. Kramer was hired and began work as the Gesher Director of Lifelong Learning in July 2016, to work with both congregations and to offer innovative and impactful educational programs.

GESHER supplementary religious school is home to approximately 40 students and their families—including some from Temple Beth Shalom, Mechanicsburg—looking to experience a living and vibrant Judaism. The program offers classes for K to Grade 1 students on Sunday mornings; and for Grade 2-7 students on Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings. The Gesher program offers a wide variety of creative educational opportunities for parents (and family members) to learn along with their children in family education programs and Shabbat and Jewish Holiday programming throughout the year.

GESHER: Adult Learning Program is a new cooperative educational effort between Beth El Temple and Chisuk Emuna Congregation, intended to bring together a wider variety of adult learners in specially-crafted educational programs, both to study and to experience particular aspects of Jewish tradition and Jewish living.

Contact information: ilyse@gesherhbg.org; cell: 410-660-9910