Cheder ( חדר ) comes from the Yiddish word meaning ‘room’. Primarily cheder provides a basic understanding of Judaism and Hebrew knowledge  to school age children before they move onto the Bar/Bat Mitvzah programme and Kabbalat Torah. 

BPS provides a welcoming and fun environment where children can begin their Jewish journey. We cover a wide range of subjects including the Jewish lifecycle, Jewish holidays and prayer study delivered through a variety of methods including discussions, art and story telling. 

Children can start at our Cheder from the age of 6/7 (Key Stage 2). We have 2 classes. The first class is for age range 6-11 and provides a basic grounding in Hebrew. Our older class is for teens moving onto prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitvah and those completing Kabbalat Torah. Many of our children who complete all their study with BPS return as young adults to teach. 

Our Cheder sessions run from 10 am on Saturday during term time. A typical Cheder session will start as a whole group assembly before dividing into our classes. Each class will complete study sessions in both Hebrew and a Topic subject before concluding at 12.15 p.m. Cheder pupils can then join their parents for kiddush after the service. 

Cheder students will prepare for and deliver at least 1 of the Shabbat services during the academic year. The year finishes with a final Cheder service and prize giving. 

We have links with LJY-Netzer, which is the youth movement for Liberal Judaism. During the year we arrange workshops and activities run by LJY-Netzer youth leaders. 

There is a fee to attend Cheder sessions but we do offer competitive discounts for additional siblings. Please enquire for more details. 

If you are interested in learning more about our Cheder at BPS or would like to enrol then please email bpscheder@gmail.com