Religious Education
The Jewish Community of Basel offers religious education, Bat/Bar Mitzvah courses and Hebrew language classes to all children with a Jewish parent from the first year of kindergarten through twelfth grade. The offer of the so-called “Reli” is an educational offer that should not be confused with a conversion to Judaism. To do this, please contact the Rabbinate.
By learning about history, the meaning of the holidays, traditions and laws, children and young people strengthen their Jewish identity and their connection to Judaism and Israel. Holiday programs and other course-accompanying events as well as trips to centers of European Jewish history promote a sense of belonging among the students and allow them to actively experience Judaism.
Attending religious instruction is free of charge for IGB members. Children whose parents are non-parish members can attend the courses at the following costs:
Total course offering: 1950 CHF/school year
Up to two courses: 950 CHF/school year
Kindergarten course once a month: 300 CHF/school year
If you have any questions, our Reli team is available at reli@igb.ch.
Here you will find the detailed programme for religious education (Reli-Programme).
Basic courses
K’tantanaim Kindergarten Course
Target group: Kindergarten children who do not attend the Marcus Cohn Jewish Kindergarten.
In the popular K’tantanaim course, children listen to stories, do crafts, make music, dance, sing and perform theatre. We want to experience the joy of Shabbat and the Chagim together.
Course instructor: Sari Almog
Course day/time: Wednesday, once a month, 4:45–5:30 p.m.
Course dates: 20 August 2025, 17 September 2025, 22 October 2025, 19 November 2025, 17 December 2025, 28 January 2026, 4 March 2026, 25 March 2026, 22 April 2026, 20 May 2026, 17 June 2026
Bring along: Snack
Religious education on Wednesday afternoons (Years 1–6)
Target group: Primary school children
In Religious Education on Wednesday afternoons, children learn to read Hebrew and acquire a basic Hebrew vocabulary as well as the fundamental pillars of Judaism. Each child has access to modern, digital teaching materials (iTalam or Matach), which allow them to continuously deepen their knowledge. The relevance of traditions in our modern world is discussed in an age-appropriate manner and the children’s Jewish identity is promoted. The weekly communal Tefila (prayer) and singing of Jewish songs are a popular and integral part of Religious Education.
Course leaders: Judith Soleman (1st grade), Rachel Raija Miklis (2nd grade), Mirjam Helman (3rd grade), Sari Almog and Sulamite Brunschwig (4th-6th grade)
Course day/time: every Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
NEW: Ensemble «Nigunim»
Target group: Children from Year 3 onwards and young people with at least one year’s experience playing their own instrument.
The Nigunim ensemble invites children and young people who play music to discover the rich diversity of Jewish folk songs – from traditional Jewish melodies from Europe to Hebrew songs from Israel. Through their musical work, the young musicians learn about the cultural background and practise the Hebrew language in a playful way. The ensemble will perform 2-3 times a year at community events.
Alternatively, those interested can obtain the sheet music for the songs and melodies rehearsed and simply participate in the performances. Please indicate this on the registration form.
Course instructor: Inbar Sharet, music teacher and music educator at the Basel Music Academy
Course day/time: Please indicate your preferred days and times on the registration form so that the course day and time can be determined by majority vote.
Schoraschim (1st - 4th grade)
The courses will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. When registering, please select your preferred courses based on your interests. You must also specify your preferred course days and times when registering online. The final course, course day and course time will be determined after the registration deadline based on the majority principle and, as far as possible, according to age (1st–3rd grade/4th -6th grade) as far as possible.
Course leader: Mirjam Helman, except for the craft course: Sarah Gruzman
Chagim in the annual cycle (Bema’agal Haschana)
This course deepens knowledge of the holidays and commemorative days in the Jewish annual cycle. It builds on the children’s prior knowledge and the questions they ask. The background and meaning of traditions, rituals and diverse customs are examined and discussed in detail.
Parashat with Midrash
The word Midrash (d’rash) means ‘to search’ or ‘to ask’ and also refers to a collection of traditional rabbinical stories. These stories complement and enrich the texts of the weekly biblical sections. They allow for a deeper understanding and a loving insight into the Jewish and universal values handed down from that time.
Stories from the Talmud
Through rabbinical stories, children learn in an age-appropriate way what our sages teach us about the fundamental values of Judaism. The children will discuss how and when they can apply the teachings of our sages.
Understanding Rashi
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzchak) is probably the best-known Bible commentator, whose notes have appeared in semi-cursive script alongside the Bible text since the Middle Ages. Through concise Rashi commentaries on selected passages in the Chumash, children gain an initial insight into the basics of Torah study.
Judaica craft course
Give free rein to your creativity throughout the Jewish calendar year and make beautiful objects that can be admired and used at home for a long time to come. Learning happens naturally and is fun too! Due to its continued success, we are continuing to offer this course.
You Lead (7th - 13th grade)
The courses will take place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The desired course days and times must be specified during online registration. The final course day and time will be determined after the registration deadline during the first week of school based on majority vote and, as far as possible, according to age group (7th–9th grade/10th–13th grade).
Ivrit courses
Course leader: Mirjam Helman
Courses are offered at various levels, from beginner to advanced.
All courses use interactive digital teaching materials (Matach) that cover current topics relevant to young people. The vocabulary and grammar learned are reinforced with a variety of exercises. Oral expression is practised through role-plays and discussions.
Chumasch with Rashi
Target group: 7th-13th grade, if possible divided into 7th-9th and 10th-13th grade
Course instructor: Mirjam Helman
In this course, each class will focus on a single book from the Tanakh, according to their own preferences. Selected passages will be read with commentary by Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzchak), thereby deepening the understanding of the text. The aim of this course is to encourage students to engage with the fundamental texts themselves.
Parashah of the Week
Course instructor: Rabbi Elimelech Vanzetta
Course day/time: Tuesday 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
The Torah – more than 3,000 years old, yet more relevant than ever! Each week, we examine the parashah and discover how incredibly relevant it is to our lives today. We talk about friendship, identity, responsibility and more, and see what the Torah has to say about it.
Jewish History
Course instructor: Leonardo Fridman
Course day/time: Tuesday 6:45–7:30 p.m.
This course provides young people with an overview of the entire history of the Jewish people in a four-year cycle. The cycle will start again in the 2025/26 school year.
First cycle: From Jerusalem to the wider world (70–1000 CE)
The Jewish people have been living in exile for around 2000 years. As we explore the first half of this period, we will examine the following questions: How did the exile come about? How were the Jewish people able to preserve their identity without temple service? What is the Talmud and how did it come about? Who are the Geonim and what remains from this period?
Chidon HaTanach (ages 13 to 18)
The European Bible Quiz: Chidon HaTanach in German
Target group: 13- to 18-year-olds, even without any knowledge of Hebrew or other languages.
Course leader: Rav Motti Gruzman
Course day/time: every 3-4 weeks, Tuesday 7.30-8.15 p.m.
The European Bible Quiz will take place in Munich in January 2026. Embedded in a two-day event in the magnificent premises of the Jewish community in Munich, together with young people from Germany and Austria, a written final quiz will take place at the end. All participants will go home with certificates and prizes. The winners will be able to take part in the international Bible quiz, Chidon Tanach Haolami, in Israel on Yom Ha’atzmaut 2026.
The time required for exam preparation can be determined individually for each level (weekly reading portions for self-study). Level A (Bereshit only) and Level B (Bereshit, Shmot, Yehoshua, Shmuel 1 & 2 and other chapters from the Nach).
The costs for the event in Munich, including food and accommodation, will be covered by the organisers. Travel costs are to be paid by the participants themselves (train ticket approx. CHF 100).
Bat and Bar Mitzvah Course (born in 2013-2014)
Target group: 11-year-old girls, 12-year-old boys (born in 2013-2014)
Course leader: Rabbi Elimelech Vanzetta
Course day/time: Sundays, once a month from 2 p.m. to approx. 4.30 p.m. Course dates will be announced in August.
The Bat and Bar Mitzvah are highlights in the lives of Jewish young people and their families. As they enter Jewish ‘adulthood,’ we want to emphasise self-efficacy on the one hand and strength and support in and for the community on the other. To this end, we explore our Jewish roots and values in all their diversity. We experience togetherness and mutual support, whether on a city tour through ‘Jewish Basel’ or during a family outing.
The Bat and Bar Mitzvah course is reserved for members.
Registration