By Sydia Bell

A few months ago, a brightly colored sign with the letters JKG appeared on the corner of North Highland and North Morningside, which is home to Atlanta’s oldest Orthodox synagogue, Anshi S’fard. The sign heralds the new home of the Jewish Kids Group, an independent Hebrew school.

Offering a creative, immersive experience for students from pre-k through 5th grade, founder Ana Fuchs calls JGK  “a delicious environment.”  For many, this program is offering what Intowners could not find: a place focused on developing relationships and cultural awareness amongst the growing Jewish population inside the perimeter.

Employing a cutting-edge curriculum, Hebrew Wizards, which Fuchs believes is a model that can change Jewish curriculum nationwide, students learn key Jewish ideas, stories, traditions and vocabulary on giant, brightly colored laminated poster boards. Topics include Hebrew language, Torah stories, tefillah (prayer), chagim (Jewish holidays) and Israel. There’s also drama, cooking and sports.

“It’s less like school and more like camp,” Fuchs says

Now with 65 students enrolled in the Sunday program, the Jewish Kids Group has grown rapidly since it inception in 2008. The afterschool program growth has been organic with the help of community supporters. Raising an astonishing $30,000 in 30 days, Fuchs says this indicate not just a want, but a need for this type of programming.

Fuchs, who previously worked at Emory University, did not have any plans to construct an entire program. Initially, two mothers from a community organization approached her about creating a small course that taught their children Judaism in a fun way. Within two years, it developed into a program with more students than space.  Fuchs and her staff were renting out spaces at Emory University and the Weber School until they partnered with Anshi S’fard.

JKG’s focus now is on enrolling more students into the progressive program. Fuchs knows that her peers expect premium services. Fuchs said in addition to the flagship Sunday program and the daily afterschool curriculum, there are now full day camps on national holidays.

For more information, visit jewishkidsgroups.com.

Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist.