The Rafi Schwartz Religious School’s mission is to create students who are active participants in the intellectual, religious, and cultural traditions of Judaism.
Building the Jewish future: The American Jewish experience is dynamic. It is filled with rapid change, ancient tradition, and constant renewal. We are thrilled to partner with your family to build strong, thoughtful, committed adults whose lives are informed and enriched by Judaism.
Congregation Kol Ami is a pluralistic community, honoring the traditions of both Reform and Conservative Judaism. We welcome Jewish children from interfaith (or no-faith) families, as well as those with lesbian, gay, and transgender parents. We are committed to including children with emotional, academic, or behavioral challenges. Come build with us!
These years are devoted to explorations of the fundamental skills and rituals of Jewish Life.
In the early years, students and their families often learn together. The students build strong connections to each other and to Jewish traditions. In Training Wheels (ages newborn–2 years old) parents and students attend together on a monthly basis. Yeladim (Pre-K, ages 3–4 years old) through 2nd Grade meets weekly to study Torah stories, Jewish values, holidays, and Hebrew. Families learn together with students several times a year. Creating an adult who lives by Jewish ideals starts with a strong foundation of community and Jewish experiences.
These years include intensive education in Hebrew, Tanakh (Jewish Bible), and synagogue skills such as prayer leadership.
Throughout the years, students attend twice a week to acquire the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become community leaders. This leadership is on display during a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration; it is learned during class Shabbats, synagogue holiday celebrations, Social Action events, and KAJY (Kol Ami Jewish Youth) activities.
The 8th through 10th Grade program meets weekly and is designed to complement the students’ secular education by touching on historical and political themes.
View the RSRS 2026/2027 calendar.
If you would also like to register children for our Rafi Schwartz Religious School, please fill out and return the 2026/2027 Membership Form.
Thank you to the support of our partners: Congregation Kol Ami, United Jewish Federation of Utah, and the Sara Cowan Fund. If you need assistance paying for tuition, please see the Tuition Scholarship Form.
Tamara Kipper, our Director of the Rafi Schwartz Religious School, is deeply passionate about children’s education and helping them succeed. She has a BA in Liberal Studies and a Master’s of the Arts in Education.
Her background has been focused on teaching in early childhood education and Human Resources. Tamara grew up with a strong Jewish background which helped her decide to make Aliyah and live in Israel for about two years where she taught English to Israeli students.
She has been an active part of the Jewish community since moving to Utah from California. Tamara has taught 1st grade and assisted in Training Wheels for the Rafi Schwartz Religious School. The parents of her students and fellow teachers have enjoyed her kindness and her enthusiasm for Judaism and teaching.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Tamara by email.
Training Wheels
Lauren Fredman
Yeladim
Rebeca Magana
Kindergarten
Brooklyn Stevenett
1st Grade
Becca Leaman
2nd Grade
Tracy Plotkin
3rd Grade Judaics
Adam Ginsberg
3rd Grade Hebrew
Mazal Peterson and Janna Zamir
4th Grade Judaics
Josh Perlman
5th Grade Judaics
Adam Ginsberg
6th Grade Judaics
Gabe Plotkin
6th Grade Trope
David Asman and Gabe Plotkin
7th Grade Judaics
Janna Zamir
7th Grade B’nai Mitzvah Class (Saturday)
Adam Ginsberg
8th & 9th Grade
Ari Steinberg
10th Grade
Rabbi Sam Spector
11th & 12th Grade
Ari Steinberg
Hebrew Level 1
Mazal Peterson and Josh Perlman
Hebrew Level 2
Madi Korzbart & Yotam Livnat
Hebrew Level 3
Janna Zamir
Tefillah
Mark Grosser
Elective: Multi-Media/Yearbook
Adam Ginsberg
Elective: Hebrew Through Music
Mazal Peterson
Elective: Cooking
Yotam Livnat and Gabe Plotkin
