ShalomBASE: A New Innovation in Jewish Educational Programming By Denise J. Karlin

At this time of year, many families are faced with the question of how to ensure that their children are kept safe and engaged during that awkward time period between when school gets out for the day and parents get off work, whether they be working out of the home EXPLORE JEWISH SPAIN www.jewishtours or virtually.

This year, thanks to a grant from the national Jewish After School Accelerator (JASA), Temple Ohabei Shalom (TOS) will be providing licensed afterschool care with a Jewish theme. Beginning Sept. 3, ShalomBASE (Brookline Afterschool Program) will meet each day that school is in session, and during certain scheduled school vacation weeks.

TOS’s ShalomBASE is only one of eight such programs nationwide selected to receive a competitive, three year grant of matching JASA funds to cover development and startup costs. ShalomBASE is among the second cohort of such programs ever selected by JASA, and is the only one in New England. (The first cohort of four nationwide programs was funded in 2023.)

These programs are part of a new concept in Jewish educational programming for families who seek something between private Jewish day, and once or twice a week religious school. They encompass all aspects of Jewish life using innovative curricula. According to JASA research, Hebrew school enrollment has dropped 40 percent between 2006 and 2019. Yet, families want to learn more about their Jewish traditions.

Since, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of families with two working parents is now approximately 45 percent of all families and 23 percent of all families are single parent households, the need for afterschool programming has grown. ShalomBASE and similar programs can fill the intersecting need for childcare and Jewish education. ShalomBASE Director Ali Moss is excited to be welcoming eleven students in grades K-2 for the school year.

The program will begin with one classroom, and hopes to grow over the next several years to daily afterschool care for children through grade 5. It will be closely tied to TOS’s once a week Ansin Religious School. ShalomBASE is fully licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and is part of TOS’s general afterschool program of 10 years, HomeBASE. Children enrolled in ShalomBASE are sure to embark on an exciting and unique journey that will enrich their Jewish lives.

Denise J. Karlin is a retired attorney, member of the Board of Trustees and Recording Secretary of Temple Ohabei Shalom.

Published in ShalomMagazine, Fall 2024, Edition 46