Religious School Offerings by Grade
Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade Theme: The world stands on three things: Torah, avodah (prayer), and gemilut chasadim (acts of kindness). – Pirkei Avot 1:2
Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Programming:
· Virtual, Sundays 9:00-9:45am: Oral and written Torah stories will be explored alongside Jewish holidays, in order to promote cultural literacy. Collective song and prayer experiences will be included in the Religious School experience.
· On-site, one Sunday 1:00-2:30pm: Each grade will be individually invited on-site once during the semester to explore an act of kindness with one another. If we are unable to have these programs on-site, the teachers will provide programming around an age-appropriate Jewish value.
3rd through 6th Grade Programming:
· Virtual, Sundays 10:00-11:15am, with an additional 40 minutes of Hebrew during the week: Students will spend time learning about the Torah (story) of Beth Israel through topics that the community values, as well as Jewish holidays. Collective song and prayer experiences will be offered. Hebrew will be taught twice a week: once with the whole class and once in small ability-based groups. These smaller groups lend themselves to higher participation rates and greater learning progression.
· On-site, one Sunday 1:00-2:30pm: Each grade will be individually invited on-site once during the semester to explore an act of kindness with one another. If we are unable to have these programs on-site, the teachers will provide programming around an age-appropriate Jewish value.
7th and 8th Grade Theme: You are not required to complete the task, yet you are not free to withdraw from it. – Pirkei Avot 2:21
7th and 8th Grade Programming:
· Virtual, Tuesdays 5:00-6:15pm: 7th grade students will explore topics related to social justice, while 8th grade students explore the Holocaust and what it means to be an upstander, rather than a bystander in the face of injustice.
· Virtual, 8th Grade, Madrichim in Training, Sundays 5:00-6:00pm: Students who home to work as Madrichim, teacher’s assistants, in the future must complete the Madrichim in Training program.
· On-Site, Tuesdays 5:00-6:30pm: Once a month, 7th and 8th grade students will be invited on campus for Rosh Hodesh (girls) and Shevet Achim (boys) groups. These groups are aimed to develop a sense community and a safe space for students to explore challenging topics related to growing up through a Jewish lens. These programs are led by trained facilitators who develop interactive, meaningful social experiences for youth.
High School Theme: Do not separate yourself from the community. - Pirkei Avot 2:4
High School Programs:
· Virtual, Tuesdays 6:45-8:00pm: High school classes will be very social in nature. The students will be invited to participate in conversations, formulate and share opinions, and relate topics to their own lives. 9th grade will participate in a dual curriculum, which includes Beth Israel’s Answering Questions Jewishly and the Moving Traditions Heart to Heart curriculum. 10th grade will have Confirmation class with the clergy. 11th grade will explore hot topics and relationships. 12th grade will discuss what it is like to go to college and participate in Jewish life on campus, as well as discussing how to make choices informed by Jewish values when they are on their own.
· On-Site, Tuesdays 5:00-6:30pm: Once a month, high school students will be invited on campus for Rosh Hodesh (girls) and Shevet Achim (boys) groups. These groups are aimed to develop a sense community and a safe space for students to explore challenging topics related to growing up through a Jewish lens. These programs are led by trained facilitators who develop interactive, meaningful social experiences for youth.