Meet our Director of Youth Education & Family Engagement
Michelle Crosbie is a lifelong educator who brings an empathetic, global, and creative vision to the Judea Reform Religious School. Michelle was an English teacher for 32 years; 21 of those years spent teaching in Central and South America. After many years away, she is thrilled to have returned to Durham, NC home of her beloved Blue Devils.
Since joining the Religious School in 2022, Michelle has done a deep dive into Jewish education. She has traveled to meet with other Religious School teachers and leaders in the United States and in Israel. She is passionate about experiential learning, diversifying curriculum, and supporting the teachers who educate your children.
Teaching our Children
We offer weekly classes for Gesher students aged two through Darchei Mitzvah aged 12 and 13. We offer special programming for our post B'Mitzvah teens, and finally, for our tenth graders, we combine a confirmation/ Kabbalat Torah class with a vibrant Interfaith learning program which visits many of our area congregations and allows our students to dialogue with and learn from other faiths. We do our best to meet students where they are and engage them in a general love of learning, religious study, and the Hebrew language.
This year we have 260 students enrolled in our Religious School! Our Darchei Mitzvah program for seventh graders runs on Saturdays from 9:30-11:00. For all of our other students, our program runs on Sunday mornings from August - May, generally in line with local school schedules. Each Sunday we spend time together in Tefilah (worship) and then break out into grade-level classrooms. We also offer classes for our post B'Mitzvah teens as well as a Kabbalat Torah/ Confirmation class for our tenth graders.
Our experienced teachers are supported in the classroom by our teen Madrichim, or teaching assistants. The teens are a vital part of our program ensuring inclusion and support for students and teachers.
We offer many experiential learning opportunities for our students including art, music, electives, and conversations with our Rabbis. Our mission is to offer our students a joyful Jewish experience both through conventional learning and through hands-on activities.
In order for a student to enroll in our Religious School, your family must be members of Judea Reform Congregation. Explore membership.
Explore Curricula
School Times and Locations by Age/Grade
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2-and-3-Year-Old Gesher (Bridge) Parent-Child Class, meets on Sundays, 9:30 to 11 am.
- Pre-K- 2nd Grade, Sundays, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
- 3rd – 6th Grade, Sundays, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- 7th Grade's Darchei Mitzvah (Paths of Commandment) Program, Saturdays 9:30 - 10:55 am. When there is a worship service that follows, students also attend the service.
Grade-Level Dinners
First graders to 7th graders will have one school-subsidized grade level Shabbat or holiday dinner during the school year. This is an opportunity to see Friday night Shabbat rituals in action and to celebrate with your child’s classmates and their families. During the Shabbat service, students will be called to the bimah to sing a song, lead a prayer, or share a teaching that they have learned in Religious School. Our youngest students and their families will have a similar community-building celebration during the Religious School day.
For Parents
We hope that parents/guardians will volunteer in the school at least two hours during the year. The school belongs to you and your child(ren), and we need you to make it work well. We have many ways to do this, including: joining our Religious School committee, assisting at events and programs, setting up for grade level Shabbat dinners, and substitute teaching. Volunteering is a wonderful way to spend time with friends, meet new people, become more connected to the temple, role-model involvement for your child(ren), and lend a much-needed hand to a very small Religious School staff.
For any questions, further information, or to schedule volunteer hours, contact Michelle Crosbie, Director of Youth Education & Family Engagement
Religious School Committee
The Religious School Committee provides support, ideas, energy, and leadership to make Judea Reform's Religious School the best it can be. The Committee supports the Director of Youth Education & Family Engagement through hands-on assistance, brainstorming, problem solving, and helping to shape the Religious School vision and policy. Questions? Contact Committee Chairs Eleanor Barr, Brian Alvo, or Laura Hawkins.
