Makom (מקום) means “place” in Hebrew. In Jewish tradition, HaMakom (“The Place”) is also one of the names for God, reminding us that holiness can be found wherever we are.
We chose this name because we want every child to find a place where they belong – in our Jewish community, in the Roaring Fork Valley, and in Jewish life.
Children learn best when they’re engaged, curious, and having fun.
At Makom, students don’t just learn about Judaism – they experience it. Every week, they sing, hear and tell stories, ask questions, create, celebrate, and discover how Jewish traditions and values connect to their own lives. Along the way, they build friendships, learn from caring teachers and clergy, and become part of a community that celebrates Jewish life together.
Our goal is to help every child grow in Jewish knowledge, confidence, and connection. We want our students to feel at home in Jewish life and carry its stories, traditions, and values with them wherever they go.
By the time your child completes Makom, we hope they will:
Every family is different, so Makom offers two ways to participate.
Thirty weeks each year of hands-on, interactive learning.
Aspen: Tuesdays, 90 minutes of Judaic studies.
Carbondale: Thursdays, 90 minutes of Judaic studies and Hebrew language instruction.
For families who need more flexibility or would like a different pace.
Students explore Jewish prayer, traditions,and sacred texts one-on-one (30 minutes weekly) or in a small group of three or more students (45 minutes weekly), for 24 sessions each year.
All children have the option to arrange 20-minute weekly one-on-one Hebrew sessions over Zoom. For Carbondale students, this supplements in-class Hebrew lessons.
B’NAI MITZVAH PREPARATION: As students approach seventh grade, B’nai Mitzvah preparation becomes a natural part of their Makom journey.
We never want cost to stand between a child and a Jewish education. If tuition is a barrier, we offer scholarships and payment plans to make Makom work for everyone.
Some of our best classrooms don’t have four walls.
This year, some of our students’ Jewish learning will take place at the Farm Collaborative, the Aspen Art Museum, Harvest for Hunger, and more. These experiences help children discover what Judaism teaches about the environment, the arts, service, and community.
Fourth- through seventh-graders will travel together for a memorable Shabbaton (weekend) that includes Shabbat dinner with a Denver Jewish community, a sporting event, and a visit to a matzah factory before Passover. (April 2027)
We’re introducing a new Judaic studies curriculum designed for small, vibrant Jewish communities like ours while continuing the warm, relationship-centered approach that has always been at the heart of Jewish learning at AJC.
