Dr. Ruth Kurlandsky has been appointed the new principal of the Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas Religious School.  Dr. Kurlandsky received her PhD In Education Administration from Michigan State University in 1990.  She also has a Master of Science in Jewish Studies from Spertus College in Chicago, and an M.A. in Special Education and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Kurlandsky has extensive administrative and teaching experience, including School Director at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, East Lansing, MI; Curriculum Director/Teacher Mentor at Temple Emanuel/Ahavas Israel Merging School, Grand Rapids, MI; and Principal of Seymour Rapaport Religious School of Congregation Ahavas Israel, Grand Rapids, MI.  She is a lifetime member of CAJE The Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education.

The religious school of Congregation Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas has has approximately 40 students in grades kindergarten through grade seven.  Kindergarten, first and second grades meet Sunday mornings; third through seventh meet Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.  Students also participate in Friday night and Saturday morning services.

This year, the religious school is introducing a new Hebrew curriculum called Mitkadem. It is a self paced program where each student will be able to work at his or her level to master Hebrew reading. They will also offer a course in learning how to read Torah.

The goal of the CBSCS religious school is to educate and infuse our students with a love of and appreciation for our Jewish religion, tradition, language, culture, and history. Throughout the years in the religious school, students will be exposed to many different concepts that will help them be a Jew who understands where he or she came from and where he or she is going. Students will acquire skills that will enable them to be comfortable in a synagogue service, especially on Shabbat. The students will learn how to lead services and read from the Torah. The students will have the opportunity to look at how Jews live now, both in this country, Israel, and around the world. As the students progress through their years in the CBS-CS religious school they will come to appreciate the beauty of our tradition. In order for their efforts to be a success, this endeavor is a partnership between the Rabbi, the Religious School Principal, the teachers, the student and the families.

Dr. Kurlandsky and her husband, Larry, relocated to the Syracuse area from Grand Rapids, Michigan in January 2005.  He is a doctor at University Medical Center.  They have three children.