mensch • men(t)SH/

Noun: 1. a person of integrity and honor. 2. The kind of person you want your kid to be.

Mensch Academy is inspired, down-to-earth Judaism for kids and families. At Mensch Academy, kids build character, confidence, curiosity and a sense of who they are as Jews in the world by engaging in serious Jewish learning, joyous prayer and Hebrew exploration through games and individualized opportunities. Respecting each person’s mind and spirit, Mensch Academy is a space where kids feel loved enough and safe enough to take risks and experiment with Jewish tradition, making it their own and becoming the best versions of themselves. Our professional facilitators and low student to teacher ratio help meet the needs of each student.

Mensch Academy is a Jewish educational program for ages 3 – 13.

Registration is closed for 2021-22

Learn more about Mensch Academy’s philosophy and vision through this episode on Contact Chai, Mishkan’s signature podcast!

PROGRAMS BY AGE

Preschool Family Cohort (3 – 4 year olds):
Adults will have the opportunity to learn alongside their children, and also get to cultivate their own Jewish ideas with other parents.

  • One Sunday morning per month 10:00 am – noon (pre-k cohort with parents).

K – 1st Grade:
This drop-off program meets weekly on two different days. Families can choose from one session for the year.

  • Mondays from 4:15 – 6 pm
  • Wednesdays from 4 – 6 pm

2nd – 3rd Grade:
This drop-off program meets weekly on three different days. Families can choose from one session for the year.

  • Mondays from 4:15 – 6 pm
  • Tuesdays from 4 – 6 pm
  • Wednesdays from 4 – 6 pm

4th – 5th Grade:
This drop-off program meets weekly on three different days. Families can choose from one session for the year.

  • Mondays from 4:15 – 6 pm
  • Tuesdays from 4 – 6 pm

6th – 7th graders:
We’ll explore social justice, the meaning behind prayers, dive into Jewish texts, and more! Students will focus on Hebrew learning and developing their own interpretations of Torah.

  • Tuesdays from 4 – 6 pm

Adults:
Adults are invited to attend Family Showcases when kids share their learning with their families.

For the 2021 – 22 school year, we will offer in-person classes at our Ravenswood office space.

Our primary objectives remain:

  • Prioritize the health, safety and well-being of all members of our community
  • Provide Mensch Academy kids with a nurturing and celebratory Jewish learning experience that upholds our authenticity and the core principles that shape Mensch Academy
  • Create a safe and consistent space for Mensch Academy students to be brave, curious, and relational during uncertain times

To enhance the (mostly) remote experience for families, we’ve made some adjustments:

  • Classes will be limited to 12 students.
  • Teachers and students must wear masks at all times.
  • Students will be socially-distanced in the classroom spaces.
  • All students, teachers, and parents must wash hands upon entry into Mensch. 

Tuition and Fees

Grade Tuition   Family Level Buildership*
Pre-K Family Cohort $600   $1920
K – 3rd $1400   $1920
4th – 5th $1500   $1920
6th – 7th $1800   $1920

*Family Buildership is a requirement to attend Mensch Academy however first year families can sign up at any level of Buildership. If you’re not a Builder, learn more here and sign up.

All of our tuition is subsidized; the actual cost per Mensch is $3,500. If cost is a barrier to you, please Rachel Cort to discuss tuition assistance.

Have general questions? Check out our FAQ’s or contact us!

In 2021-22, Mensch Academy will meet from October 4 through the end of May (excluding Jewish and national holidays and school vacations).

How to Register

  1. If you have attended a previous Mishkan program, follow this link to set your password. If you are new to a Mishkan program, you’ll need to register for an account.
  2. Click the gray boxes to update your information:
    • “My Profile” to “view and edit” your contact information. Be sure to click the “Lifecycles” tab to enter your birthdate.
    • “My Family” to add any of your immediate family members and make sure that their information is correct.
  3. Now you are ready to register for Mensch! Log-in to our school enrollment system and follow the instructions for registering your child(ren).

Imagine your family @ Mensch Academy.

What makes Mensch Academy different?

The Mensch Academy approach is a positive, intellectual, individualized approach that makes Jewish study so accessible to my kid.

Mensch Parent

Thank you to the vision and generosity of the Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund, a fund of the Jack Miller Family Foundation, and The Crown Family, who have helped make this program possible.

My daughters actually come home and talk about what they learned, ask questions, ask us our opinions, and our experience there has opened the opportunity to have conversations I know we would not otherwise have had. 

Mensch Parent