Inclusive & Progressive Jewish Sunday School, for the whole family
Who we are: Cheder is our vibrant, progressive community of families committed to leading our children's Jewish education and to providing a positive sense of Jewish identity.
We are a progressive, open community of Jewish, interfaith. gay, lesbian, and multiracial families and persons of diverse gender identities. The community celebrates and makes music together, works on social justice projects, and holds High Holiday services.
Created over 50 years ago as an alternative to “drop-off” Sunday school, the Cheder school is a parent-taught cooperative Jewish cultural school and community. We meet in Takoma DC, near the greater Takoma Park / Silver Spring area. We are a school; we are not a synagogue although we do occasional services together.
Our curriculum includes Jewish history and culture, as well as Hebrew and Torah studies. Our children range from pre-K to Bar-Mitzvah age and beyond, and we have a diverse group of parent/teachers to explore, celebrate, and transmit a sense of joy and of Jewish belonging. In addition to the school, we have an active program of adult education, holiday celebrations and annual retreats.
Cheder, originally called Farbrangen Cheder (from farbrangen “bringing together in joy”), recognizes the diverse and rich backgrounds of all members of our community. (* We pronounce our name like the "Ch" in Chanukah. Use your throat. There, you've got it. Cheder means "school" in Hebrew. This is a traditional name for our pretty non-traditional community.)
We are not affiliated with any particular movement of Judaism. Our members have preferences that range from Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal, Conservative to Agnostic, Atheist, or None at All. The main uniting force is that we are committed to providing our children with a positive sense of Jewish identity.
We are a lifelong community, with many longstanding members whose children have long since grown up but still associate with our community.
We also like to eat and to sing. (Click the Play icon below to hear a typical Sunday morning welcome song.)
We are a progressive, open community of Jewish, interfaith. gay, lesbian, and multiracial families and persons of diverse gender identities. The community celebrates and makes music together, works on social justice projects, and holds High Holiday services.
Created over 50 years ago as an alternative to “drop-off” Sunday school, the Cheder school is a parent-taught cooperative Jewish cultural school and community. We meet in Takoma DC, near the greater Takoma Park / Silver Spring area. We are a school; we are not a synagogue although we do occasional services together.
Our curriculum includes Jewish history and culture, as well as Hebrew and Torah studies. Our children range from pre-K to Bar-Mitzvah age and beyond, and we have a diverse group of parent/teachers to explore, celebrate, and transmit a sense of joy and of Jewish belonging. In addition to the school, we have an active program of adult education, holiday celebrations and annual retreats.
Cheder, originally called Farbrangen Cheder (from farbrangen “bringing together in joy”), recognizes the diverse and rich backgrounds of all members of our community. (* We pronounce our name like the "Ch" in Chanukah. Use your throat. There, you've got it. Cheder means "school" in Hebrew. This is a traditional name for our pretty non-traditional community.)
We are not affiliated with any particular movement of Judaism. Our members have preferences that range from Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal, Conservative to Agnostic, Atheist, or None at All. The main uniting force is that we are committed to providing our children with a positive sense of Jewish identity.
We are a lifelong community, with many longstanding members whose children have long since grown up but still associate with our community.
We also like to eat and to sing. (Click the Play icon below to hear a typical Sunday morning welcome song.)
Updated January 2026