Why Adults Are Signing Up for Sunday School at New Jersey Shore

Summertime at the Jersey Shore is not just about the beach and boardwalk, there is a full schedule of fun activities. Every Coastal Community has their calendar of events, which many South Jersey locals and vacationers highlight their favorites to attend.

While there are plenty of concerts, festivals, and family-friendly events throughout the summer, what about something just for the adults?

Remember when you were a kid, and your parents took you to Sunday School or dropped you off at Summer Camp, you had fun for a few hours, and then you had to go home? Well, we have the adult version for those who love to pair Wine with the perfect combination of meats and cheeses.

"Sunday School" is back in Sea Isle City for Summer 2026

First opened in July of 2022, Raffa's is located on Pleasure Avenue near the corner of 40th Street and the storefront faces the Sea Isle City Promenade. They are a one-stop store for grab-and-go charcuterie plus plenty of fine cheese selections and grocery-related to what most people associate with charcuterie.

This summer marks the fourth straight year that they have been hosting Charcuterie Workshops they call "Sunday School". You will learn how to build a charcuterie box, plus learn tips from a professional on how to pair meats and cheeses together for your next house party or family gathering.

For 2026, there are six scheduled Sunday School Charcuterie Workshops at Raffa's in Sea Isle City this summer:

June 21st
July 12th
July 19th
July 26th
August 2nd
August 30th

Whether you want to learn the best combinations of meats and cheeses or always wanted to know how to make your own charcuterie box, this is a great activity. Vanessa DeRose from Raffa's in Sea Isle City spoke to me about what people can expect from this workshop:

"We start the class with a little history of how we got our start, our love of cheese, (I mean) everyone’s love of cheese really. Then we dive into building the box, starting with the description of the different meats we put in our boxes, and the different cheeses. We teach the salami rose and chain, different flavor profiles of meat, and then how to cut and style the cheese (along with) their flavor profiles. I guide folks through each step, (answer the questions) they ask questions and they learn a lot about how cheese is made and (their) regions of origin."

Raffas in Sea Isle City, New Jersey — Photo from Google Maps

If you want to attend Charcuterie "Sunday School", you must pre-register online at least 24 hours ahead of Sunday, or you can call Raffa's in Sea Isle City for more information at (609) 263-1221. The workshop costs $60 per person and you can register online at their website.

Remember These Places That Use To Be In Sea Isle City, New Jersey

Thanks in part to the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Sea Isle City has seen many changes over the years. Whether you grew up in South Jersey or vacationed multiple summers in Sea Isle City, you may remember some of these buildings and businesses that no longer exist. Which ones below do you remember most? (Special Thank you to the Sea Isle Historical Museum for helping me get these pictures and information)

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media