July 22, 2023
Shalom Parents,
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer break and having wonderful family time together. I am excited to start the new academic year, and I am looking forward to seeing all of you in September. We have some wonderful things planned for this school year, and I would like to share with you information about our program including changes that will be implemented this year.
Our program is offered to students in grades K-7 and promotes a love of Jewish learning and a culture of socializing, relationship building, and creating memories. Our goal is to strengthen our student’s Jewish identity, knowledge, and commitment to lead a lifestyle that is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and practice. We foster a love of Israel and Jewish holidays.
Our students continue to learn through their Jewish Studies and improve their Hebrew language and prayer skills through experiential learning that includes art, music, movement, cooking, photography, and drama.
This year, we are changing the program's structure to be subject-based and will have a specialized teacher for each subject matter. In addition, we are implementing age-appropriate Holocaust curriculum in all grades. This summer I participated in a course at Yad VaShem in Jerusalem, Israel learning a unique multi-disciplinary educational philosophy about how to teach the Holocaust sensitively to all ages. Using an interdisciplinary approach to teach elementary grades about the Holocaust- through art, music, literature, theology, and drama – will allow our students to gain a broader understanding of what happened during this period and provide them with the foundation for a more in-depth study of the Holocaust at the high school level.
Jr. Congregation
Join us on Shabbat for a fun youth service! Jr. Congregation continues to meet every Shabbat from 10:00am-12:00pm with Natan Fandel, and we invite all RS (Religious School) students in grades K-7 to join him.
Junior Congregation begins with Shacharit (morning prayers) and is appropriate for all grade levels. Following the break, students are divided into groups, and grades K-4 go with our Madricha, Alyssa Ugent, to enjoy a story time, the Torah portion of the week, prayers, blessings, and socializing time. Grades 5-7 go with Natan to learn the Torah Portion of the week and the Shabbat morning service. Students gain a deep understanding of this service and the skills to lead it. Attendance is highly recommended to help prepare students for their upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah and their leading role in the Jewish community.
Family Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat Morning Services
We integrate Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night service), Shabbat morning services, and Havdalah into our family programs. During these services, our Religious School students in grades K-7 lead the congregation in prayers, readings, teachings, and songs. These services reflect the skills gained, and the ruach (spirit) of Shabbat and provide a unique way for families to be together in our community.
This year we are collaborating with the Mishpacha Minyan (a quorum required for Jewish communal worship) and adding more Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinners to our program every month.
Please find the Program and Curriculum Overview and the Calendar for your reference. Please review the documents and let me know if you have questions or need more information.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and growth,
Dr. Ella Levy
