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Berkeley Afterschool, Club J & Edah

Program Overview

Our K-5 Berkeley Afterschool program is all about supporting and mentoring youth as they grow to become impactful, engaged citizens. New for fall 2023, is an enhanced Berkeley Afterschool program, with the ability to build your afterschool experience!

  • Traditional Berkeley Afterschool (BAS) (K-3rd grade) and Club J (4th/5th grade) offer a wide variety of activities, including sports, science, art, reading, and many choose-your-own-offerings, with Jewish values, experiences, cultural observances, and weekly Shabbat celebrations woven throughout.
  • Club J, for 4th and 5th graders, provides a tailored experience for older elementary school children, with the opportunity to shape their own curriculum, and serve as mentors for younger students.
  • Our newest pathway, Edah, combines the best of recreation, enrichment, and immersive Hebrew and Jewish education. Children develop productive Hebrew language skills, positive feelings about themselves as Jews, and a sense of belonging to the Jewish people. Edah educators are trained in pedagogies that put the child at the center and teach Hebrew in a way that activates the learner’s innate potential for language acquisition.

Here’s the best part…you don’t have to choose just one! Select from:

  • Full or part time traditional BAS/Club J
  • Full or part time Edah
  • A combination of both pathways
Schedule & Fees

Schedule

  • The 2023–2024 year runs from August 16, 2023-June 4, 2024.
  • Berkeley Afterschool and Edah offers 2, 3, 4, and 5 days/week options.
  • Tuition is based on 10 equal installments, billed monthly as all months do not have the same number of days/weeks. You may also choose to pay for the school year in full and receive a 5% discount.
  • Drop-off begins at either 1:30pm, 2:30pm, or 3:30pm depending on when your child’s school is dismissed. Wednesday minimum days are assumed. Use the M/T/R/F school dismissal times to determine which option to choose.
  • Pick-up is at 6pm. Edah programming ends at 5:15, but students may stay until 6pm.

$50 non-refundable registration fee

$200 deposit, refundable upon completion of the school year

Rate Sheet

BAS only1:30pm2:30pm3:30pm
2 days$652$522$435
3 days$699$587$559
4 days$857$725$621
5 days$978$833$673
Add Edah   
2 days$123$120$95
3 days$175$147$101
4 days$214$151$145
5 days$245$167$158

Financial Aid

The JCC East Bay recognizes that all families have different needs, and we are committed to helping families pay for our high quality aftercare program. Please complete this form.

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis, taking many factors into consideration, including but not limited to financial status. Applications are accepted until July 1, after which point they will be reviewed on a rolling schedule as funds are available.

Please submit completed applications to Adam Berke, CFO, adam.berke@jcceastbay.org.

Registration

Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are currently on a waiting list. Click here to register for Berkeley Afterschool and Edah waitlist. We will contact folks as spaces become available. 

FAQs

What is this year’s calendar?
Click here to view the 2023-2024 calendar. 

Is there a handbook with more information? 
Click here to view the 2023-2024 Parent Handbook.

Tell me a little more about Berkeley Afterschool and Club J!
BAS and Club J offer a safe, affirming environment that allows all students to be their authentic selves. Youth will develop lasting relationships with peers and adults, building bridges with our community and beyond. We believe in a balance of structure and freedom, providing students with the opportunities for free play and organized activities. We encourage youth to explore their interests and passions, develop their voice, and grow as individuals.

Staff is well trained in communication, conflict management, and lesson planning, and is here to support your child’s needs whether it be helping with homework, reading a story, painting, or playing an energetic game of soccer out in our yard.

And what is unique about Edah?
Welcome to Edah, our learning village! Our day is divided into three parts: learning stations, group time (zman kvutzah), and circle time (ma’agal). We emphasize choice, support engagement, and empower children to be the masters of their own learning.   

Bonim – Building
Explore the weekly torah portion or holiday theme, while creating scenes and solving engineering challenges.

Misada – Restaurant
Enjoy a warm meal with friends after ordering from the “restaurant” in Hebrew.

Omanut – Arts & Crafts
Go deeper into the unit’s themes while stretching the imagination with facilitated arts and crafts projects.

Sifria – Library
Develop your Hebrew reading and writing skills with an individual learning plan and one-on-one guidance.

Zman Kvutzah – Group Time
Gather in age cohorts to explore the big questions of Jewish thought while strengthening friendships.

Maagal – Circle Time
Develop your Hebrew reading and writing skills with an individual learning plan and one-on-one guidance.

Facilitators of Learning
At Edah, we encourage inquiry and emphasize choice. Our educators are trained in pedagogies that put the child at the center and we teach Hebrew in a way that activates the learner’s innate potential for language acquisition, cultivating motivation alongside mastery.

How do you handle poor air quality?
The JCC East Bay has a comprehensive Air Quality decision-making matrix that we employ when the AQI reaches unhealthy levels. Generally speaking, for AQI levels between 51 and 150 (Moderate and Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), we will take more breaks and do less intense activities outdoors, and also decide to move activities indoors. We will utilize HEPA filters when indoors to filter out air particles from the outdoors. At Unhealthy levels (AQI 151-200), we will assess the current levels and hourly projections to determine program closures. If we decide to keep the building and programs open within this level, we will keep everyone indoors and utilize HEPA filters. At Very Unhealthy levels and beyond (201+), we will close our building and suspend all of our programs. As air quality changes rapidly and is hard to predict, we will take building and program closures on a day by day basis. We are in constant communication with local school districts and will also consult with them on AQI if/when appropriate.

What is your refund/credit policy?
We’ve all had to learn how to be flexible! The JCC East Bay coordinates our offerings to complement school districts, schedules, air quality, and more. We begin the year with a certain schedule and options and recognize that circumstances can change. As such, we strive to notify you as soon as possible about changes in programs and associated payments. There may be situations where the JCC East Bay is unable to provide planned services due to natural disasters or public health concerns. In these situations, refunds for charges already made will not be provided — however, future charges will be suspended until services can resume.

Will there be transportation to the JCC East Bay Berkeley branch?

The JCC East Bay works closely with BUSD to provide transportation from most schools. Please note that a spot on the bus is not guaranteed until we receive confirmation from BUSD. We will contact you ASAP if we are waiting for a spot for your child on the BUSD bus. 

We offer a walking pick up from the BAM School. However, we cannot offer transportation from other schools not serviced by BUSD transportation. Students will need to be picked up and dropped off at the JCC East Bay Berkeley branch at 1414 Walnut St.

Contact Us

Rebekah Sherman
Assistant Director, Berkeley Afterschool
rebekah.sherman@jcceastbay.org
510-848-0237, ext. 131

Zev Bennett
Assistant Director, Berkeley Afterschool
zev.bennett@jcceastbay.org
510-848-0237, ext. 131

Sonia Brin
Operations Manager, Berkeley Afterschool
sonia.brin@jcceastbay.org
510-848-0237, ext. 131