Religious School
Shalom and welcome to the Rabbi Solomon Geld Religious School.
We look forward to welcoming new students into our Religious School experience of quality and excellence combined with warmth and creativity.
February 2012
Shalom Parents,
Once again we are coordinating the MITZVATHON. Please support this modest and unique program from which all proceeds will support our Garin Family Programming in the Religious School.
Just to remind you, it is like a walkathon, except all of the students (K-7) perform mitzvot (commandments) at 12 stations in the school on Sunday, February 26. The activities will be performed with the students’ classmates and teachers. Prizes are awarded to the class that brings in the most sponsorships, as well as to individual students who bring the most sponsorships.
Here is how it works:
1. Students (and all parents who help) will use the attached Sponsor Sheets to get sponsors. (Could be parents, grandparents, relatives, friends of the family, business associates, places you shop, etc.) You can begin immediately.
2. Students and Parents will describe the program in which students will participate, on Sunday, February 27. (See below for program description)
3. Ask sponsors to write a check to TBA or give cash for the amount they would like to sponsor. (Increments are modest)
4. Have the sponsors write their names, emails and addresses, so we can thank them appropriately for their sponsorship.
5. Bring the completed sponsor sheets and payments to Ann at the RS office from now until the beginning of March.
These are the Mitzvot students will perform:
~ Make Hammentaschen
~ Blessings Brachot for vegetables and fruit of ground & trees
~ Affixing a Mezuzah (Bracha and Chanukat HaBayit)
~ Purim and Jewish song “Sing-Down” in Praise of God
~ Recite the Kiddush
~ Wear a Tallit with blessings
~ Torah Trivia – Study Torah
~ Write a get well note to sick children at Joe Dimaggio Children’s hospital
~ Give a penny to Tzedakah Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (JNF)
~ Visit Israel Activity
~ Sign a Petition to protest an Injustice
~ Light Shabbat Candles
Here are Prize Levels:
CLASSES: Pizza and Ice Cream Party for the top sponsor class.
INDIVIDUALS:
1ST PRIZE: $36 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE STORE OF CHOICE
2ND PRIZE: $18 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE STORE OF CHOICE
3RD PRIZE: $10 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE STORE OF CHOICE
All info can be found on line by clicking this link : http://www.beth-am.org/Articles/ReligiousSchool.html
Thanks for your continued support of our educational endeavors.
Sincerely,
Click here for Mitzvathon form.
2011-2012 Important Forms, INFO and Calendars
For the 2011-2012 Religious School Registration Form, click here.
For the 2011-2012 Membership Renewal Form, click here.
For the 2011-2012 Religious School Calendar, click here.
For the Newly Revised 2011-2012 Parent/Student Handbook, click here.
For the 2011-2012 Kids Congregational Club Dates, click here.
For the 2011-2012 Snack Form, click here.
You can contact the Religious School Office at 954-968-4545 x 26 for more information.
Please scroll down and check out information about our school.
CHECK OUT SOME Photos and SCROLL DOWN
for more Information
Message from the Rabbi.......
Life is never static. Indeed, as long as we're alive we're open to experimentation, growth and change. That has always been my philosophy as applied to Temple Beth Am. From the time I first arrived twenty-two years ago, I've always asked the question: "How can we improve on what we are doing?" The answer to that question has caused dramatic changes in our Religious School, our Youth Program, our Family programs, our Synagogue services and our physical plant. I'm happy to say that the process continues even now. We will continue our major emphasis on attendance at Shabbat morning services and the Carlebach/Happy Minyan service which focuses on participatory music which is being taught in our Religious School. The excitement of the melodies is and will continue to inspire our children and parents together on Friday evenings to welcome in Shabbat.
As your children study during the year, you too can join in Jewish learning by attending our Adult Education Programs. Jewish learning is something that begins in youth, but never ends. To experience the joy and spiritual pleasure of Talmud, Torah and Jewish learning is one of the great pleasures in this world. Whether you have a Yeshiva background or have not yet learned an aleph from a bet, we have a class for you. I look forward to seeing and interacting with you and your children through the various programs that we offer in the synagogue and the school.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Paul Plotkin
Message from Mr.R., our Principal,
about our Philosophy and Offerings
We are proud to have won the 2007 International Solomon Schechter SilverAward for Excellence in elementary education from United Synagogue of America. This was the fifth time we have earned a Gold or Silver Award. The Rabbi Solomon Geld Religious School is proud to present its 2010-2011 program.
Our veteran teaching staff has over 90 years of combined teaching experience. Seventy percent of our teachers have been with the school for 5 years or more; Thirty percent for 10 or more years. Much of the program has proven to be successful through the years. I add 36 years of experience in Jewish education to our presentation and work with teacher teams on each grade level in streamlining segments of our curriculum and activities.
The school emphasizes Hebrew reading and knowledge of the recitation and meaning of our prayers to God. Jewish practice in the form of various"mitzvot" are presented and experienced. From Jewish life cycle events & holidays to social action, we cover a full range of experiential activity in and out of the classroom, involving families as the learning experience unfolds on all levels. Ethics and Jewish thought through Torah and Jewish social studies are covered at all levels. The centrality of Israel and our unbreakable bond with our brethren, both in the Diaspora and in the land of Israel, is a common theme experienced by our students.
Continuing from Last Years successful JNF Ambassadors Program... Throughout the school, students will continue be the recipients of the JNF Ambassadors Program. Two summers ago, Mr. Rosenbaum and Mrs. Meredith Weinberg were trained along with 30 other pioneers to inject much more "ISRAEL" and relationships to "Sustainable Resources" in the overall school curriculum and class activities. All grades will continue utilizing varied activities and curriculum in concert with the education department at the Jewish National Fund.
This approach mines from the three pillars of Judaism (Torah, G-d and Israel). It develops by adding the element of the importance of Family. This T.G.I.F. (Torah, G-d, Israel and Family) formula is practiced by our professional staff and presented to students and parents in a friendly, fun and practical way. All school families are encouraged to experience the beauty of our heritage with their children.
We are also proud to be an ETGAR middle school. This is a cutting edge experimental program that is supported by the Jewish Theological Seminary's Melton Research Center and the United Synagogue's education department. We enter our seventh year of the program and have experienced many positive learning opportunities through the presentation of ETGAR.
Our students and their families enjoy a program called the Garin (Seedling) program©. Students and their families spend Jewish life cycle and holiday time with other families. This time includes some Jewish holiday activities, Shabbat Dinners and social action activities in and out of the synagogue.
Our Heh class students, being of Bar Mitzvah age, are beginning a new phase this year. They will be working in Ethics and the study of Israel and the Shoah.
Please read all information and continue to visit the web site. Our T.G.I.F. approach will involve students and their families in a fun and participatory way.
Jack Rosenbaum M.ED
Principal
About Our Principal
Jack Rosenbaum, M.Ed. is the Education Director at Temple Beth Am. He has over 36 years of experience in the fields of Jewish education, social service and community outreach. He established successful new systems at the renowned Panim: the Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values in Washington DC while serving as Assistant Executive Director. Prior to that he spent five years as the Assistant Executive Director of the Jewish Education Commission of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. While there he revamped the systems of the Southern Region of the March of the Living and established the OTZAR Special Needs Sunday School for children with Autism and other similar diseases. Mr. R., as Mr. Rosenbaum is known to parents and students, is also the current Director of the March of the Living - Southern Region, which brings students in 11th and 12th grades to Poland and Israel just after Passover, each year.
He earned his undergraduate degree in Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey, in Education and his Masters degree in Educational Administration and Supervision, K-12 from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. Mr. R. has studied at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, as well as ay Yad Vashem. Mr. Rosenbaum, who has been successfully involved in the field of Conservative Religious Education, and our very dedicated and experienced Religious School staff see the mission of our school: "To provide our children with the skills, beliefs, values, feelings and experiences necessary to live full Jewish lives."
STAFF 2011-2012 (5771-5772)
Jack Rosenbaum, M.ED, Principal
Ann Leonardi, Administrative Assistant
FACULTY:
Kindergarten: Karen Klebenoff
1st and 2nd grades: Natalie Godin
Aleph (3rd): Maya Gabrieli, Meredith Pressler
Bet (4th): Maya Gabrieli, Meredith Pressler
Gimmel (5th): Maya Gabrieli, Meredith Pressler
Daled (6th): Ellie Abrams, Roneet Edrich, Ruth Schreiber-Greene
Heh (7th): Ellie Abrams, Roneet Edrich, Ruth Schreiber-Greene
Kid’s Congregation Club: Meredith Pressler
Music: Michelle Cohen
Student Evaluation
Periodic evaluation of students' progress is important for the student, parents and the school. This mechanism provides our students with a sense of their accomplishments. Parents become aware of what their children have studied, and our teachers can see their successes in attaining school goals. Quizzes, reports, projects, group activity and other assigned activities are all vehicles for evaluation. As a way of keeping parents informed of their children's progress, anecdotal report cards are issued twice during the school year for all of our students. Letter grades are not used. For questions and concerns, please call the School Office at 954-968-4545, extension 26. Your child's teacher will return your call as soon as possible. The principal is available for conferences and meetings.
Parents are also welcome to visit classes in session provided they make prior arrangements with the principal. To assure class continuity, no one is admitted to any class at any time without the permission of the principal.
The School Board of the Religious School
The School Board of the Religious School functions in conjunction with the Professional Educational Staff. The Board members oversee the school, and are always available to listen to questions, suggestions or concerns. If you have any questions please contact Ann at 954-968-4545 x26 who can relay your message to the Chairperson.
Parents Role in the School
Both family and school have a role in the educational, spiritual and ethical development of our children.
All parents are encouraged to take an active role in their child's Jewish education.
Please, join us for special events, such as our
Back to School Morning on SUNDAY MORNING, October 16, 2011 at 9:00 AM ……..
as well as Shabbat meals and holiday celebrations through our award-winning Family Garin Program. Participation is vital to our success.
Formal communication between the school and parents is done by way of email (95% of all correspondence) and voice mail. At various times, short family Torah and Mitzvah materials will be included. The family unit is vital to the expression of Judaism. As parents, you can reinforce at home, what is being taught in the school.
Standards for Students
1. Attendance and School Work Requirements: Regular attendance and completion of assigned work are essential for the continuity and effectiveness of the learning process. Students are expected to attend 75% of all scheduled classes, which means he/she cannot miss more than twelve classes and must complete class work in order to be eligible for promotion to the next grade. Heh Class students must have a 70% attendance record (must not miss more than 15 classes per course) in order to participate in commencement and receive a diploma. If a child is absent, late or is picked up early he/she is expected to make up missed work, as he/she may miss a whole class period.
NOTE: Except for home Hebrew reading practice, much of our work is accomplished in the classroom. Due to most grade levels being involved in a departmentalized system, students should be present at the assigned times of their registered classes to assure the utmost learning experience.
2. Preparation for School: All students should bring their books in a backpack and a pen or pencil to each session. Textbooks are the property of the School and, except for consumables, are to be returned in good condition at the end of the school year. Lost books and school materials will be purchased at market price by the family.
3. Food: Students who bring snacks will eat them at the time assigned by each individual teacher. Kosher snacks may be brought from home or purchased through the school office by pre-ordering only. Forms are in the parent packet and available from the school office. Kashrut descriptions are found below.
4. Dress for School: While we do not have a rigid dress code, please keep in mind that the children are coming to a synagogue. Clothing should at all times be appropriate for attendance at Temple and Religious School. Neatness, modesty and good taste are expected. In addition, all boys must wear a "Kippah" (yarmulke).
5. Dress at Junior Congregation Services and Temple Services: Students should come attired in their Shabbat "best". Girls are to wear modest dresses or skirts and blouses; not shorts or slacks. Boys are to wear collared shirts and slacks; not shorts or jeans.
6. Guests: Students are not permitted to bring guests to class. Insurance issues are considered and our teachers have considerable responsibilities with enrolled students.
7. Classroom Discipline: A positive learning environment requires that each student involved in the learning process exercise reasonable self-discipline and curtail disruptive behavior.
a. In the event that a child’s comportment becomes a challenge, he or she will receive a "referral." The original referral is kept on file and a copy is sent home to the parents, to be signed and returned to the school.
b. If there is a second "referral," a parent/teacher conference will take place.
c. If a student receives a third "referral," he or she can be suspended from Religious School for one week (5.5 hours of class time), and is expected to make up assignments during that week. If the assignment is not completed, the student will remain on suspension.
d. A student who receives four "referrals" will not be allowed to return to school for the balance of the year. The student and parents then have the option of continuing their Jewish education with a tutor, twice weekly, at their expense. In this case the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date will remain as assigned. However, should Jewish education stop, the privilege of a Shabbat (Saturday) morning ceremony cannot be extended.
General Behavior Guidelines for Every Classroom are as Follows:
(1) Teachers and fellow students are to be treated with respect. (2) Students are to remain in their seats unless given permission by the teacher to move. (3) Students are to speak according to normal classroom guidelines set by teachers. (4) Property of others, and of Temple Beth Am, is to be respected and treated accordingly.
Please discuss these basic “Derech Eretz” (Normal Behavior) guidelines with your children. We believe that you, as a concerned parent, wish only the best conditions within the school for your child. Thank you for your support in this area.
8. Early Pick-Up: If your child has to leave class before the regular dismissal time, you must sign him or her out of the School Office. Please do not go directly to your child's classroom. It would be greatly appreciated if you sent a note to your child's teacher if he or she is leaving class early. If the person picking up your child is someone other than a parent, a note stating who is picking your child up or a call to the school office by a parent must occur.
Note: If a student misses class work due to early dismissal or late arrival, he/she is responsible to make this work up, as determined by the teacher.
9. Student Responsibility for School Property: Students will be held responsible for any school furnishings or property damaged or marred. The cost of fixing or replacing the damaged items will be assumed by the student or the family.
10. Tutoring: Additional Hebrew reading remedial tutoring can be provided for students who attend regularly and are in need of reading assistance from time to time. In certain cases, the school may require additional remedial private tutoring. Our teachers are available to do this at a reasonable cost to you. Parents and teachers will privately negotiate the time required and the fee to be paid the teacher. Teacher recommends tutoring to the principal who refers parents to teachers, when necessary.
School Kashrut Policies
As part of Temple Beth Am, the Rabbi Solomon Geld Religious School operates within the guidelines of Conservative Judaism. In accordance with Jewish law, all food served at a school activity or on the school grounds must be kosher.
When there is a party, or activity within the classrooms for which students are asked to bring in food products, all products and all snack foods must have an approved kosher symbol such as these:
(Please check out our website at www.beth-am.org for symbols or call Rabbi Plotkin’s office at extension 18 for more information.)
Here are a few acceptable kosher foods:
· All Entenmann products
· Any fruit or vegetable
· Hershey products made in Hershey, Pennsylvania
· Fresh Fruit Sodas (without natural fruit flavors)
· Mott’s Apple Juice
· Only Donuts from Margate Dunkin Donuts across the street from TBA on Royal Palm Blvd.
Please understand that a K is not sufficient. We must know under what supervision the K was authorized. Please check with the Synagogue Office in such cases. We ask for your cooperation as we observe the laws of Kashrut. It helps to teach your children to distinguish between what is kosher and what is not.
SNACKS ARE AVAILABLE IN SCHOOL. THIS IS PREPAID BY MONTH OR YEAR. CALL 954-968-4545 X26 FOR FURTHER INFO.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
The following traffic procedures are to be followed, and with your cooperation we will have a very safe school year ahead:
Drop-Off:
Parents may drop their children off in front of the school. Please only do so at the overhang in the front of the school and not from the parking lot. Parents are welcome to walk their children to their classes no earlier than 10 minutes before school begins. Park in legal parking spots.
Pick-Up:
Each student will be picked up by parents from their classrooms. Parents must park their cars in a legal spot and come into the school. Please arrive a few minutes prior to the scheduled end of your child's class. Parents will wait outside the entrance until the doors are opened and an official from the school allows entry. Parents will retrieve their children from class. Teachers will be at their respective classroom doors to greet you and sign your child out from the classroom. This allows us to efficiently monitor who your children are leaving with.
Traffic barriers will block the front roadway of the school building. Please make your children aware that he/she will not be brought out to meet you and that you will come to meet them at their rooms and walk with them to the car. Students are never left unattended. If you are going to be late, please call the religious school office at 954-968-4545, extension 26. Place this number in your “Fave Five”.
PICK-UP AUTHORIZATION - Parents have authorized individuals to pick up their children on the paper registration forms. This section indicates which persons, besides parents, are authorized to pick up your children. Pick-Up Authorization CHANGES must be given to the school office. In the event you are unable to pick up your child and you send a person not indicated on the form, you must call the school office and let us know the person’s name and relationship to you and your children.
Special Circumstances:
1. ON TIME - Please arrive in a timely fashion. Remember, our staff members have professional or family obligations once sessions end. If a parent is 10 minutes late, we will make note of this, the first time. If lateness occurs a second time, we must charge $15 after the first 10 minutes. Parents who have a consistent challenge in picking up their children on time must let the school office know immediately so a financial arrangement can be made. If you are running late on a particular day, please call the school office at 954-968-4545 extension 26, in a timely fashion.Please save this number in your cell phone for easy access. Late charges may apply.
2. SPECIAL PICK-UP - Students may not be picked up within 10 minutes of posted dismissal times. If you must pick up before this, parents must please check in with the office. Ann will page your children to come up to the office. Parents remain at the office until the child arrives.
3. IDENTIFICATION - During the first days, some parents may not be known by our veteran teachers and by our new teachers. In this case, you may be asked for identification; even if the child runs to you in recognition. Please be patient, as we regard safety as the foremost priority.
SEVERE WEATHER: Lightning storms are a part of our lives here in south Florida. When hard rains occur at dismissal, teachers will remain with the students in their classes and we ask your patience with the realities of sub-tropical weather. If the storm is about to subside we will allow for dismissal to continue and for you to enter the building. The safest place for you during such an event provided by Mother Nature is your car. Your child will be safe and so will you.
In the case of continuous hard rain, we will have cars may line up for a carpool line. This will be the only time this will take place and will take time to complete. Staff will direct cars to the overhang and as you approach the building, we will get the names and classes of your students and have them out as quickly as possible. Patience is truly appreciated at such events.
HURRICANES: If a Hurricane Warning is put into effect the school will be closed. We remain open during Hurricane watches. A recorded message will be placed on the synagogue answering machine after hours. If the Broward County Public Schools close, the religious school will close. Our telephone system will apprise you of any closures, as well.
Start & Dismissal Times for Each Class
K, 1 & 2 ….. Sunday – 9:00am-11:00am K, 1 & 2 + Child-care Sunday – 11:00am-12:00 noon
Grades 3-7 (Aleph-Heh) Sunday – 9:00 AM to 12:00 NOON
Grades 3-7 (Aleph-Heh) Wednesday – 4:45 PM to 7:15 PM
KIDS Congregation Club & Carlebach Minyan Requirements
Prayer Service Requirements for Aleph through Daled
Attend a combination of High Holiday Services, Saturday Kid’s Congregation Club and Friday Carlebach services at Temple Beth Am, get the following:
Y Seven times = Aleph student minimum expectation including two (2) Saturday morning services.
Y Ten times = Bet, Gimmel and Daled minimum expectation including three (3) Saturday morning services.
Y Sixteen times = All Students …. One movie pass.
Y Twenty-eight times = All Students …. Another movie pass.
Y Thirty-six times = All Students …. A $25 Gift Certificate to the store of your choice.
(Note: Attend Main Sanctuary service for a bar mitzvah or because it is your choice, inform the school Office immediately for credit.)
Friday Evening Carlebach Dates
(Any other Friday evening Carlebach Service counts. Please tell the school office if you attend on a different night.)
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd& Aleph (3rd) - Minimum two (2) Saturday mornings.
Bet (4th), Gimmel (5th) & Daled (6th) - Minimum three (3) Saturday mornings.
Here is what you get for attending KCC:
Understanding/Appreciation of the structure & creativity of the morning service
Comfort & Familiarity with nigun (melody) used at TBA services
Shabbat Games & Shabbat Candy: Congregational Lunch: Awards for attendance
Parents Should Join Children at this family learning experience about Shabbat Morning Prayers.
The Carlebach minyan meets every Friday at 6:10 PM in the Youth Center. When your child’s class is designated to attend on the calendar, parents should accompany and sit with the child. You can bring your other children the same evening and receive credit.
Teachers attend on varied class KCC Saturdays and Carlebach services and take attendance. Be sure to check in with the teacher taking attendance. If no teacher is present, call Ann in the school office, right away, to report the date of your attendance and she will post it.
On Shabbat, the time is 9:30 AM-11:00 AM on Saturdays found on the schedule above. Drop-off will be at the chapel and pick-up will be from the chapel. Look for signs if the location changes to the school building on some days.
NOTE: Attending a service at other synagogues, while admirable, cannot be accepted as make-up for the Shabbat programming particular to our shul.
These services are the means by which classroom practice is transformed into worship. Our goal is for our students to participate and share in conducting the service. Special features of our student services include incentives, each class (Bet-Heh) leading the Sanctuary service and Shabbat Morning family experiences.
Every Shabbat, starting after the Holidays, the synagogue continues to offer members sit-down luncheons representing the Seudah Shaini (second feast of Shabbat). Please join him/her and have lunch with the congregation. Even if you are unfamiliar with Shabbat ritual, you can learn with your child the joy of Shabbat.
Heh (7th Grade) students are expected to attend, with a parent, the Shabbat adult services. (6 Saturdays and 6 Friday nights are mandatory.)
Carlebach Happy Minyan
Every Friday night hundreds of temple members and visitors gather at 6:00 PM for our famous Carlebach happy Minyan in the Youth Center. This one-hour service of Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv is filled with the ruach (spirit) of Shabbat. (See above for student requirements)
Educational Programs
Our school provides for formal education beginning in kindergarten through the high school years. The curriculum for each grade is based upon the needs, interests and learning styles of the children at that grade level.
Primary Department: Kindergarten, first and second graders meet once a week, experiencing for the first time formal Jewish education. These youngsters learn about being Jewish by way of a "hands-on" approach to the holidays, Torah and Jewish culture. First graders learn the Aleph-Bet. Second graders also begin the study of the Hebrew reading using a primary reading readiness program.
Intermediate Department: Grades three through seven meet two days a week for 2½ and 3-hour sessions. This complies with the standards for Jewish education established by the United Synagogue Commission on Jewish Education. Through cumulative study of the Bible, Jewish history, the Hebrew language and prayer, our students attain knowledge of our past and present, along with the skills and knowledge necessary to feel at ease with their own Jewish present and future. Holidays are taught at the intermediate level according to a graded curriculum, thus avoiding repetition while providing our students with the knowledge of ritual observances and placing the holidays which mark our years in the proper historical perspective.
6th and 7th Graders will be taking part in the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism’s ETGAR (Challenge) Program. This is a cutting edge curriculum that motivates students and parents alike.
Judaica High School: The Northern Branch of the community Jewish High School, administered by the Orloff Central Agency for Jewish Education, provides continuing Jewish education for eighth graders and high school students. It is also a valuable Jewish social experience. Classes are held one night a week, with times , locations and tuition announced in the spring. The Judaica High School has required courses and electives, along with extracurricular activities, giving students the opportunity to pursue their own interests. Continuation in Judaica High School is strongly encouraged at Temple Beth Am and is required for all students wishing to participate in B'nai Torah Confirmation with Rabbi Plotkin during sophomore year of high school.
B'nai Torah: Those students enrolled in the tenth grade program of the Judaica High School are eligible to participate in the B'nai Torah Confirmation program of Temple Beth Am. The B'nai Torah students have the opportunity to study with Rabbi Plotkin, meeting once a week for one hour. This enlightening class covers Jewish issues of concern to our youth, and the format allows for much informal discussion. Those students completing the program participate in the B'nai Torah Confirmation ceremony at Shavuot. Registration materials are available in the main synagogue office.
Other Programs Offered at Temple Beth Am
GARIN PROGRAM - Mitzvot and Tikkun Olam: For the Jewish people, Mitzvot and Torah values are tools in our tikkun olam (repairing the world) kit. We invite our parents and students to join us in doing Mitzvot, as we act ethically and become fixers - God's partners in repairing the world and completing creation. Participation in the Mitzvah day sponsored by the shul is strongly encouraged for students and their families. But, we have 5-7 programs related to various Holidays, Shabbat, Mitzvah and Tzedakah in the form of our award winningGarin Family Education program. This year we will have 4 Shabbat dinners and some fabulous interactive programming with seasoned members of the synagogue, Rabbi Plotkin and Mr. Rosenbaum.
Breakfast With Rabbi Plotkin: Our classes participate with their families on selected Sunday mornings in a study activity and breakfast with Rabbi Paul Plotkin. The Rabbi will lead discussion in curriculum related topics.
Family Education Activities: Families participate in inclusive, friendly educational programs, specifically designed for each grade level. These family activities are unique opportunities for our students and their parents to come together and share in meaningful Jewish study, learning and action.
Youth Department: Our award winning Youth Department is affiliated with the Department of Youth Activities of the United Synagogue of America, and operates within the guidelines of the Conservative Movement and our Temple. Temple Beth Am sponsors three youth programs, Chalutzim for children in grades 3rd through 5th, Kadima for children in grades 6th through 8th and U.S.Y. (United Synagogue Youth) for those in grades 9 through 12. Temple Beth Am Kadima and U.S.Y. chapters are part of the southeast region and the Arvot sub region. Social, educational, cultural and religious activities are sponsored on the chapter, inter-chapter, sub-regional and regional levels. All three groups are under the supervision of the Youth Commission and are led by a professional staff on all levels.
Camp Ramah: Camp Ramah Darom in Georgia is a strong supplement to a child's Jewish education. The camp provides an opportunity for Jewish children to explore the relevance of Judaism in today's society. A broad spectrum of activities is offered, including a full program of athletics, dramatics, climbing, kayaking and in all areas of Jewish education. Boys and girls from age 9 (completing 4th grade) through 16 (completing 10th grade) are eligible to attend. Scholarship funds are available. We are a strong Ramah school and all inquiries should go to the Education Director.
Tzedakah (Acts of Charity): Students learn the concept and the duty of Jewish citizenship by voluntarily contributing to the daily Collection and by participating in various fundraising
Religious School Registration Information
The bulk of general registration for the 2011-2012 school year happens in July and August. Registration will be accepted, space allowing, through the school year. It is necessary to limit class size to create an atmosphere for effective learning. The Principal determines all decisions concerning class placement. All Temple membership and School fees must be up-to-date to register for Religious School classes.
Primary Department (Sunday only)
Kindergarten - Age 5 Grade K
1st and 2nd Grades - Age 6-7
Elementary/Middle School (Sunday/Wednesday)
Aleph Age 8-9 Grade 3
Bet Age 9-10 Grade 4
Gimmel Age 10-11 Grade 5
Daled Age 11-12 Grade 6
Heh Age 12-13 Grade 7
Community Judaica HS for 8th– 12thGrades (Tuesday nights)
