Contact Info
Brandeis University, 415 South St Waltham, MA 02453 USA
781-386-7278
info@bjep.com
Brandeis University, 415 South St Waltham, MA 02453 USA

The Boston-Area Jewish Education Program

A Rich Heritage of Jewish Learning

Since 1967, BJEP has been a place where families come together to foster a community of Jewish-themed learning at Brandeis University. The program continues to be a place where Boston-area families and children can further engage with their Jewish values and identity.

LEARN MORE

  • Experience

    Our experiential-driven curriculum engages students by teaching them in the manner they want to learn, driven by participatory activities that are the antithesis of a “lecture style” approach. We seek to create a continuum of curriculum that is age appropriate for students, and provides opportunities for curiosity, reflection and discovery throughout each student's BJEP journey.

    Curriculum Details

  • Educators

    Our Education Director and the entire teaching team are current Brandeis University undergraduates who craft customized lesson plans for our students. They bring their infectious passion for Jewish learning to BJEP each Sunday.

  • Programming

    Our BJEP Sundays are filled with community programming, music and singing, experiential-driven classroom learning and free play. We also hold a number of community events, including High Holiday services (for families and adults), Chanukah, Purim, Passover and a unique off-site eco-Judaism program.

  • Values

    We strive to create a community that emphasizes curious learning, inclusivity, fun, reflection and discovery.


    BJEP's core values include:


    1. Acheirut (Responsibility): As an educational co-op, we feel a sense of ownership and responsibility as the entire BJEP community works together to practice Judaism.
    2. Simchah Shel Mitzvah (Joy of Fulfilling Mitzvot): We embrace joy in our playful exploration of Jewish practice. 
    3. V’Samachta B’chagecha (Rejoicing in our Festivals): BJEP fosters joy in Jewish practice and ritual. When we celebrate our festivals, we bring joy and wonder to our traditions.
    4. Ma’aseh B’reishit (Miracle of Creation): BJEP students learn to approach the world with wonder, looking, listening, and using all of their senses to experience the miracles of the world.
    5. G’milut Chasadim (Acts of Loving Kindness): Love is the foundation of classrooms and community programs. We give love generously and practice kindness to ourselves and others. 
    6. Hachnasat Orchim (Hospitality or Welcoming Guests): BJEP is friendly and warm. In our BJEP family, no one is a stranger. 
    7. B’Tzelem Elohim ([All people are made] In the Divine Image): Value the humanity in each person. Although we play different roles at BJEP, we are all equal. Mutual respect is fundamental. Everyone has something unique to offer.
    8. Lech Lecha (Take Yourself and Go): At BJEP, childhood is treated as a current and important state of being, not just preparation for adulthood. Students are not simply “learning to be Jews”, they are practicing Judaism today.
    9. Brit (Partnership): We are all partners at BJEP, with each other and with God. Nurture community. Forge relationships and connect to others by sharing experiences and spaces. Be God’s partner, as well. Enter the Conversation with God and the long history of the Jewish people to create the meaning of life. 
    10. Hiddur Mitzvah (Beautifying Jewish Ritual): At BJEP, we encourage everyone to make Judaism your own and create beauty in life. 
    11. Kavanah (Intention): At BJEP, all participants understand the "why" behind the action, whether that be a lesson, a prayer, an expectation, or a ritual. Intentionality means we practice mindfulness, clarity, and awareness. 
    12. Ometz Lev (Strength of the Heart): Be brave and courageous! BJEP is a safe space to explore and try new things. We aim to empower and instill confidence in teachers, families, and students.

  • Cooperative

    BJEP is a family cooperative with no full-time director or staff. Parents and guardians of current BJEP students, including those on the Board of Directors, volunteer their time to manage and guide the program. Key functions of the cooperative include financial management, staff hiring, event planning, strategic planning, curriculum oversight, marketing and communications. We are thrilled to welcome new families to BJEP and ask that you help us grow and sustain this organization by volunteering wherever you can.

  • Location/Timing

    We meet on Sunday mornings 9:30am to noon during the Brandeis University school year. There are typically about 22 BJEP Sundays annually.

    BJEP Calendar

  • State of Israel

    Our community is embedded in Jewish culture and history, which is intertwined with Israel. We strive to provide students with a strong foundation in their own Jewish identity to face today’s big Jewish challenges.


    Israel is part of the BJEP curriculum for each grade. Teachers individualize lessons to meet each student's developmental stage and interests. We aim to teach our students how to think, not what to think.


    BJEP is an educational organization, and while education is an incredible form of activism, we encourage our community members to engage with the Israel advocacy of the greater Boston Jewish community. See JewishBoston and JCC Boston.

    Curriculum Details

Molly Zimmerman

2024-2025 Education Director

Hi BJEP! I’m Molly Zimmerman (she/her pronouns), and I’m so excited to be taking on the role of BJEP Education Director. I’m in my Senior year at Brandeis, studying Education and Studio Art. When I’m not at BJEP (or doing BJEP-related things), you can usually find me painting in my art studio or spending time in nature. I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, where comparative to the Boston-area, the Jewish community is small but mighty. It taught me the power of a tight knit community to create a network of love and support, the perfect place to learn what it means to be Jewish. After moving to Boston, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to find that type of community, but I was surprised and thrilled to find that magic in BJEP. Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats in both formal and informal Jewish educational spaces, from teaching at Religious Schools in Fort Worth and Boston, to leading Tefillah and cultural programming for college peers, to workshopping programming at Jewish Summer Camps. My mission at BJEP is to foster a safe environment where students, families, and teachers feel empowered to question and experiment with what it means to be Jewish. 

Lee-el Messinger

Kindergarten Teacher

Hey everyone! My name is Lee-El and I'm a freshman. My pronouns are she/her. I'm hoping to major in History and English with a minor in legal studies/politics. My past experiences in Jewish spaces and education have been amazing. I've been in Jewish schools my whole life and can't wait to pass on what I learned from my experiences to my students! I'm teaching at BJEP because I love being around kids and I love teaching about Judaism!

Izzy Ziegler

1st Grade Teacher

My name is Izzy and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a senior majoring in Health: Science, Society, and Policy and double-minoring in Psychology and Legal Studies. After Brandeis I hope to attend a nurse-midwifery master's program and become a Certified Nurse Midwife. Back in the California Bay Area, where I was born and raised, I raised guide dogs with Guide Dogs for the Blind. In my free time I love to do sudoku, hike in nature, and spend time with my family, friends, and dogs. I attended Hebrew school at both a Conservative and Reform synagogue where I saw many different teaching styles in action. This is my first year at BJEP, and while I never was a Madrichah in high school, I’ve remained very engaged in my Jewish community and have recently worked with children through Brandeis Teaching Assistants in Public Schools. I’m really excited to be working at BJEP to recreate the joy that Jewish community brings me.

Esther Rubin

2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher & Assistant Ed Director

My name is Esther! I am from Atlanta, Kenya, and India. This is my second year as a teacher at BJEP! I am the second and third-grade teacher and the assistant Education Director! I am an education and psychology major and plan to go into international teaching one day. My classroom consists of crafts, love, laughter, joy, play, curiosity, and learning. I am so excited to be with BJEP for another year!

Julia Jeck

4th Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Julia, I am a history major with minors in Spanish and studio art. In my free time I read, paint, and run a program for middle school kids. I am a Junior at Brandeis but this is my first year at BJEP! I have been teaching Sunday school for a few years and love helping to foster positive relationships with Judaism.

Tehilla Oami

5th Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Tehilla Oami and I’m a Junior from Atlanta, Georgia. I’m majoring in International and Global Studies and Psychology, and minoring in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, and Legal Studies. I love reading books about historical fiction and Sci-fi in my free time.I really enjoy Sukkot, which I celebrate by eating with my family in a Sukkah. It really allows me to connect to and appreciate all the nature around me! I am really looking forward to making the classroom a more fun and accessible learning space for all students!

Logan Miller

6th Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Logan (any pronouns) and I am the 6th grade teacher! This is my first year teaching at BJEP and I’m so excited to be working here! At Brandeis, I am a junior majoring in psychology and anthropology. For fun, I like to hike, rock climb, and make jewelry! I went to and worked at a Hebrew school back home (in New Jersey!) with a very similar mission to BJEP so I am super excited to get to work here and contribute to such special Jewish education.

Morissa Kranc

7th Grade Teacher

Hi! My name is Morissa Kranc and I am a Sophomore majoring in IGS: Law, Justice, and Human Rights and HSSP. I was born and raised in Colchester, Connecticut, and am so excited to be closer to Boston! I love everything music, and could spend all day playing an instrument or listening to the radio. The Jewish holiday that I connect most with is Chanukah. I love spending time with friends and family, eating good food, and remembering the miracles while being by the Chanukah lights. I am so excited to be a part of BJEP this year, and I hope that I can contribute to a wonderful year!

Maya Kushner

Madrichim Teacher

Hi! My name is Maya and I use she/her pronouns. I am a junior studying Political Science, Legal Studies, and Spanish. In my free time, I love to sing, dance, and spend time with my friends and family. I am involved with an acapella group and a dance ensemble here at Brandeis. Although this is my first year teaching at BJEP, I worked as a Hebrew school teacher and reading tutor at my local synagogue when I was in high school. I also have many years of experience working at the Jewish sleepaway camp where I grew up (shout out Camp Harlam!) as both a counselor and a songleader. Feel free to ask me about music, Jewish music, and songleading — these are some of my favorite topics! I’m very excited to be working at BJEP this year because the community is so welcoming and unique. I can’t wait to get to meet everyone!

Micah Heilbron

2023-2024 Education Director

Board of Directors

BJEP is governed by an all volunteer Board of Directors comprised of parents of active K-7th grade BJEP students. The board oversees the organization’s finances, programming, educational philosophy and governance.

Share by: