66 Years of NCFJE Released Time

Brooklyn, NY — The end of this school year marks the completion of the 66th year of the Jewish Released Time, run by the National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE).

More pictures in the Extended Article!

The Released Time program reaches out to Jewish youngsters in public school and exposes them to the Jewish heritage and religion. A dedicated instructor, following a carefully prepared Teacher’s guide, teaches them about Torah, the prayers, the holidays, history and customs of Judaism. Federal law protects the right of any recognized religious group to teach its principle’s to public school students who elect to join.Children attend a Released Time class at a nearby synagogue.

Since its inception in 1941, the NCFJE’s Released Time Program has reached more than a quarter of a million Jewish boys and girls in New York City, Rockland County, Long Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New England, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California.

This year the program has serviced 75 sites in the New York City area. Throughout the year more than 125 dedicated young teachers have gone to the sites each week to create a warm atmosphere of religion and acceptance for more than 800 students.

Rabbi Shazak Zirkind, director of Released Time Program of Greater NY, said of his accomplishments over the year, “My greatest feeling of fulfillment is that once again this year we’ll be sending over 30 children to Yeshiva. I regret that the number is not higher than that. The success of getting these children into Yeshiva is a testament to the devotion of the dedicated volunteers who go into the classroom every week with enthusiasm.”

Rabbi Shea Hecht, Chairman NCFJE, said that the Released Time staff will be working throughout the summer to gear up for next year. “Every Jewish child deserves a Jewish education. Released Time does the outreach to offer each Jewish child the opportunity.”

NCFJE’s Released Time students learning and growing throughout the year