Click here to download the 2011-12 Religious School forms.

Temple Beth Shalom is well known for its excellent religious school, which has over 250 students from Kindergarten through grade 10. Classes meet on Sunday mornings for grades K – 7 from 9:30AM to 11:30AM and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8PM for grades 4 – 10.

• Our teachers and director are enthusiastic, creative individuals, committed to their Judaism and to conveying it to our children.

• Our curriculum is designed to educate children who will become knowledgeable, caring Reform Jews, dedicated to lifelong Jewish learning and values and involvement in synagogue life and in the Jewish world.

• Our programs include music and tefillah with our Rabbi and Cantor, holiday celebrations, field trips, and grade-specific family education programs.

• Our families are involved in every fiber of our school.

Mission of Temple Beth Shalom Religious School

The Religious School of Temple Beth Shalom seeks to provide a Jewish education to students from kindergarten through high school (grade 10) which will foster knowledge of Reform Judaism and of Jewish traditions; understanding and love of Torah; familiarity with the Hebrew language and a strong sense of identity with Israel and the Jewish community; and lay a solid foundation for a lifelong commitment to practicing and studying Judaism and the teachings of the Torah.

Outcomes:

• The ability to decode Hebrew and to translate root words found in prayers and daily life.

• The ability to participate in and understand the structure and liturgy of the Shabbat service and other worship services (in English and Hebrew).

• An understanding of how Reform and traditional Judaism consider issues of ethics and values.

• Knowledge of the stories and teachings of the Torah, and appreciation for its significance in Judaism.

• Knowledge of the history of the Jewish people from ancient to modern times.

• Knowledge of, and a strong connection with, the land, people and history of Israel.

Hebrew Goals

Our goals for the Hebrew program include enabling the student to participate actively in the Hebrew portions of Shabbat and other worship services. Students learn prayers and blessings designated for specific grade levels through grade 7. We emphasize comprehension of the prayers through knowledge of key root words. Students begin with a basic Hebrew vocabulary in Kindergarten, which expands each year through grade 7 to include simple conversational Hebrew.

Primary Program (Kindergarten – Grade 3):
Introduction to Temple Beth Shalom and to Judaism

Kindergarten: To See the World Through Jewish Eyes
Students study holidays, Shabbat, Jewish symbols, synagogue, the Shema, mitzvot, ethics, and values in addition to selected activities from the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) Primary Grades Curriculum. Students will learn the blessings recited over bread and wine, and the first line of the Shema. Students will know a vocabulary of approximately 50 Hebrew words and concepts. A mishpacha (family education) program focusing on Israel is designed for parent/child participation. A Consecration ceremony will be held for families to attend at a synagogue service in the fall.

Grade 1: Our Jewish Days, Places and Selves
Our program emphasizes discovering and celebrating holidays, Torah stories, synagogue, tzedakah, God, Israel, prayer, and the Jewish self as we relate to Jewish history. Students will review previously learned blessings and add the blessings over candles and for Havdallah. Students will know a vocabulary of approximately 75 Hebrew words and concepts. A mishpacha (family education) program will focus on Shabbat. First grade students will participate in a TBS Family Service and Shabbat dinner.

Grade 2: Our Jewish Symbols, Traditions, Heritage and Year
Students study about our homeland through an extensive unit on Israel using various texts. They learn about the holidays with stories relating to the traditions of each one. Students will review previously learned blessings and add the blessing over fruits. Students will know a vocabulary of approximately 100 Hebrew words and concepts. A mishpacha (family education) program will focus on the topic of Chanukah. Second grade students will participate in a TBS Family Service and Shabbat dinner.

Grade 3: Being a Jew – Learning and Doing
Students study classic Bible tales (Genesis and Exodus) as sources of Jewish wisdom. We learn that we are partners with God. The Hebrew program introduces letters and continues the study of prayers and Hebrew vocabulary. Students will review previously learned blessings and add the blessing over vegetables. A mishpacha (family education) program will focus on preparing for Passover. Third grade students will participate in a TBS Family Service and Shabbat dinner.

Intermediate Program (Grades 4 – 7):
Hebrew, Jewish Studies and preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Grade 4: Living as a Jew
This is the first year students attend bi-weekly classes (Sundays and Wednesdays). There will be a special ceremony (siyyum) for fourth grade families in the spring as the students have completed learning all the Hebrew letters and vowels. Students will expand their Hebrew vocabulary to include over 150 words, terms and concepts. Students continue Bible study of the Prophets and Jewish wisdom values, Jewish ethics and tzedakah. A mishpacha (family education) program will focus on Tu B’Shevat. Fourth grade students will also participate in a TBS Family Service and Shabbat dinner.

Grade 5: Israel in the Life of a Jew – Past, Present and Future
The Sunday program consists of two elements of Jewish studies in addition to Hebrew: modern Israel and Jewish life cycle events. Students participate in experiential programs including baby naming, brit milah, consecration, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, wedding, and conversion. They learn about Jewish practices for mourning and death. Fifth grade students and their parents are invited to attend a TBS Bar Mitzvah followed by a class-sponsored Oneg. Another highlight of the year is the fifth grade wedding for students and parents. Fifth grade students will participate in a TBS Family Service and Shabbat dinner.

Grade 6: Relating to Our Biblical Past
Students are guided through selections of sacred texts. On Sundays, students will discover Jewish classics, which cover the Rabbinic through modern periods. Students study all three sections of our Bible: Torah, Prophets and Writings, as well as the Mishnah, Talmud and Midrash. A mishpacha (family education) program will focus on B’nai Mitzvah. Sixth grade students will help lead a TBS Family Service preceded by a family Shabbat dinner.

Grade 7: Reform Judaism, Making a Difference in This World
Students develop a basic understanding of this mitzvah of Reform Judaism. Students learn how doing mitzvot can help them achieve their own personal goals. Seventh grade students prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. In addition to regular Sunday and Wednesday classes, students have private meetings with their Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor and, as appropriate, learn trope (chanting). A mishpacha (family education program) will focus on Ethical Mitzvot. Seventh grade students will lead a Shabbat service preceded by a family Shabbat dinner.

Upper School Program (Grades 8 – 10)

Grade 8:Teen Issues, Holocaust, Modern Israel, and Conversational Hebrew
Students meet on Wednesdays and study Judaism’s teachings on morality. Topics such as family relationships, health, sexuality, crime and punishment, wealth and power, war and peace are all examined through the teenager’s eyes. We are developing an awareness that Judaism is relevant to today’s issues, stimulating the student to think about dilemmas pertaining to alcoholism, sex, integrity, and Jewish values. Students learn about the modern state of Israel through an israeli’s eyes, incuding the background of Israeli-Palestinian issues. Students study about the Holocaust through the books of Elie Wiesel, with a class trip to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. The eighth and ninth grade students will lead a Shabbat service. Students are encouraged to join temple Youth Group activities.

Grade 9: Comparative Religions, Jewish Identity, and Teen Issues
Students learn more about the Reform Jewish perspective by studying about other world religions. The eighth and ninth grade students will lead a Shabbat service. Students are encouraged to join temple Youth Group activities.

Grade 10: Confirmation
Confirmation is an experience unique to the Religious School. Taught in alternate weeks by Rabbi Goldstein and Neil Schechter, students discuss contemporary issues through the prism of current articles and ideas with Mr. Schechter, as well as ancient texts with the Rabbi. Confirmation is highlighted by a trip to New York City. It culminates with the Confirmation ceremony during Shavuot.

To learn more about the mission, curriculum, and policies of our Religious School, you can download our parent handbook. For additional information, please contact our Religious School Director, at tbsedu@comcast.net or 410-757-0552.