Machaneh Shai Enrollment

Welcome to Machaneh Shai (Hebrew for Camp Shearith Israel")! We would love to welcome your family into our vibrant learning community for the 2025 - 2026 school year! We offer open enrollment throughout the year but enroll today and get the best price. 

Machaneh Shai is the religious school of Congregation Shearith Israel, serving kids from 3* years old through 7th grade. Our approach blends tradition, creativity, and community to create a joyful and meaningful Jewish learning experience.

At Machaneh Shai, learning is rooted in curiosity and connection. Our students explore Jewish life through a mix of:

• Study of Torah, holidays, values, history, and Hebrew
• Chuggim (electives) like art, music, cooking, and more
• Tefillah (prayer) to build spiritual language and comfort in Jewish practice
• Experiential education that brings Jewish ideas to life in hands-on, joyful ways
• Community partnerships that enrich our curriculum and connect students with the community

We engage the whole family in learning experiences, helping parents and children grow together on their Jewish journeys, by way of holiday celebrations and family learning programs.

membership & enrollment 

Synagogue membership is not required for families with children in Pre-K through 3rd grade. We recognize that every family is on their own path, and we’re proud to offer a welcoming space for Jewish education — even if you’re not ready to formally join a synagogue just yet.

Beginning in 4th grade, we ask that families become members of Shearith Israel in order to continue at Machaneh Shai, as students enter Chai Five, our B’nai Mitzvah preparation program. If membership feels like a challenge, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re committed to working with families to find an option that works for you.

For questions or more information, please contact:

Ori Salzberg, Interim Director of Education – ori.salzberg@shearithisrael.com
Jane Arnold, Education Program Coordinator – jane.arnold@shearithisrael.com 

We’re looking forward to a year filled with connection, discovery, and joyful Jewish learning — and we hope you’ll be a part of it. 

For students in second through seventh grade, the midweek Hebrew component is an integral part of the Machaneh Shai experience. Students can choose in-person Hebrew at Shearith Israel on Wednesdays from 4 - 5:30 pm or learn online with Atlanta Hebrew Connection (AHC) at a time that works best for them. AHC sessions are 45 minutes long and you can choose between Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30. If you select the AHC option, please submit the form below by July 1 to ensure you get your preferred time. 

*Children must be 3 years old by September 1 and toilet trained.

Select your student's AHC weekday learning time

Meet Your Teachers (2024 - 2025)

2024-2025 Machaneh Shai Calendar

Tuition & Details:

Non-members please contact our office at 404-873-1743 for assistance in creating a profile before proceeding with enrollment OR for enrollment assistance.

Questions about Machaneh Shai? Contact Ori Salzberg, Interim Director of Youth Education, at ori.salzberg@shearithisrael.com or 404.333.2235.   

Please note: For new students, a deposit of $215.00 per student is due upon enrollment and the balance will be split into the number of payments selected on the application.

Enroll your child(ren) in Machaneh Shai 2025 - 2026!

age 3 & pRE-K class

Members: $700

Non-members: $1500

K- 1st grade

Members: $1000

Non-members: $1500

Grades 2-7

Members: $1300

Non-members: $1500 (through 3rd grade only*)

*Non-members interested in enrolling their child(ren) in grades 4 - 7 should contact Rabbi Kaiman at rabbikaiman@shearithisrael.com

Judaics Curriculum:

The Machaneh Shai curriculum incorporates best practices and leading-edge research in the field of Jewish education. Our unique program emphasizes experiential education, personal religious development, and whole family learning. Machaneh Shai provides fun, hands-on, and engaging ways to learn about Jewish traditions, prayers, Torah, Israel, and Jewish history.

Tefillah Curriculum:

Hear Rabbi Kaiman recite the various prayers via Soundcloud at the links below.

Aryeh - Lion:
Decoding Plus, Modeh Ani, Shema, Barchu, Friday Night Home Blessings

Dov - Bear:
Food Blessings (including hagafen), Yotzer Or - Read, not changed, V'ahavta, Mah Tovu, Passover 4 Questions, Mi Chamocha/Tzur Yisrael

Kof - Monkey:
Birchot Hashachar/Nisim B'chol Yom, Avot v'Imahot, Gevurot, Kedushah, Mourner's, Kaddish/Chatzi Kaddish, Aleinu

Soos - Horse:
Mourner's Kaddish/Chatzi Kaddish (2022-23 Only), Va Yehi Binsoa , Ein Kamocha, Shema, Echad, Gadlu, Lecha, Yehallelu, Torah Blessings, Birchat Ha Haftarah

Zev - Wolf:
Ashrei, Full Friday Night Kiddush, Modim Anachnu Lach, Sim Shalom/Oseh Shalom, Ein Keloheinu, Havdallah Blessings