Religious School

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Through a variety of creative activities and projects the religious school of Temple B’Nai Israel seeks to engage our children in experiences that will foster a positive Jewish identity, a sense of social responsibility and respect for all people, and a desire to live a Jewish life.

Living in a place with few other Jews, our families place great value on the opportunity for their children to form lasting relationships with other Jewish children as well as adults in our congregation.

The goal of our curriculum is to nurture in our students a growing understanding of Torah, mitzvot, Hebrew language, prayer, social responsibility, and observance of Shabbat and holidays.

Hebrew language instruction focuses on familiarity with the prayer service and Judaica studies focus on the themes of Torah, Avodah (worship) and Gemilut Hasadim (acts of lovingkindness).

TBI religious school also provides joyful holiday celebrations and family education designed to help families reinforce Jewish identity in the home and to model for our children that Jewish learning is a lifelong pursuit.

During the last 2 years of religious school, most children prepare for a ceremony in recognition of becoming bar/bat mitzvah. TBI’s cantorial soloist, Melody Funk, also serves as b’nai mitzvah coordinator.

The b’nai mitzvah coordinator and the rabbi guide families through the process of preparing to become bar/bat mitzvah. It is our goal to work with each child to create a meaningful ceremony that will lead to continued participation in the life of the synagogue and an ongoing relationship with Judaism.

Many of our post-bar/bat mitzvah students volunteer to help in classrooms as madrichim and serve as positive role models for younger children.

Our teachers are members of the congregation who volunteer their time out of a sincere desire to pass on Jewish knowledge and values to future generations.

Our school meets twice a month from September through May on Sunday mornings from 10:00-12:30.

Two times during the year, religious school meets on Saturday morning to familiarize students with the Shabbat morning service in preparation for bar/bat mitzvah. [Add link to b’nai mitzvah policy]

The schedule for the 2010-11 school year:

For more information, please contact Rabbi Hannah Orden.

Sept. 12 Gleaning the Fields
Sept. 26 Sukkot

Oct. 3 Simchat Torah
Saturday, Oct. 16
Oct. 31

Nov. 7
Nov. 21

Dec. 5 Hanukkah
Dec. 12
(Snow Date Dec. 19)

Jan. 9
Jan. 23

Feb. 6
Feb. 20
(Snow date Feb. 13)

Saturday, March 12
March 20

April 10
April 17 (Passover)

May 1
(Snow Date May 22)