RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

Earlier this morning, the Rabbi asked, “How does it feel to have reached the end of Year 1?” Truth be told, I wasn’t sure how to answer. For one thing, it’s kind of a strange question; although this was my “Year Director of Education at TBT, the school year itself was simply the next leg of a journey that was started when Beth Tikvah opened its doors and began educating our Jewish community. Also, the mere idea of the “end” suggests a culmination of learning, whereas our opportunities for growth and knowledge are ongoing.

Reflecting on this most recent cycle, I am reminded of the goals I set last July:

1) utilize the Shalom Learning (values-based) curriculum consistently across all grades K-7

2) assess Hebrew learning and make short- and long changes to support student progress

3) review and evaluate existing Religious School programming in order to develop new and meaningful plans for the future.

Although by no means a task list I can mark “complete,” I am incredibly proud of what together with our incredible teaching and Madrichim staff accomplished in these areas.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

• Kindergarten students made Hakarat HaTov bottles and practiced looking for the good everywhere.

• 1st & 2nd grade students created Bikur Cholim packages for ill friends and family, including cooking their own matzo ball soup!

3rd graders learned the entire Alef- graders committed themselves fully to the value of Achrayut – caring for animals: collecting supplies and tzedakah, hanging signs, and even cooking dog treats!

4th & 5th graders studied the word Shalom and designed superheroes who will help bring peace and wholeness to the world.

6th graders compared their “inside selves” to their “outside selves,” and discussed how both parts are created tzelem Elohim (in God’s image).

• 8th & 9th graders dove deep into the intersection of their Judaism and their teenage American lives, examining popular music for controversial (and sometimes anti-Semitic) lyrics and videos.

• 10th – 12th graders reflected on the rapidly decreasing opportunities to hear Holocaust stories first-hand, and considered how lapses in

Formal Hebrew learning/B. Mitzvah training moves to a Educate each child

Individual Hebrew instruction will allow students to move at their own pace and develop a personalized connection to prayer.

Informal Hebrew finds a new foothold in all Religious School programming. In partnership with the Amitei Ivrit (Speak Hebrew) initiative, we will be infusing conversational and modern Hebrew into our Jewish learning through games and activities grade classes move to Monday night. This will provide an graders to see what’s ahead on their Jewish journey, and appreciate B. Mitzvah as a step along an

We can only understand Judaism by doing it, by performing the commandments and living a Jewish life. In the beginning is the deed. Only then comes the grasp, the insight, the comprehension.”

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Trips to Alabama, New York City, and New Orleans will open students’ eyes to the broader Jewish world and help them to see where they might find their place.

Our Religious School program is growing and expanding every day! Make sure to register students PK-12th grade so they don’t miss out! Visit our TBT website to register today!

See you in August!