 The purpose of the Religious School at Congregation Bet Ha'am is to help parents guide children toward fulfilling Jewish lives. Raising a Jewish child requires both the formal component provided by our educational program and the day–to–day experience of Jewish life provided at home. In Religious School, our youth study the language, literature, culture and values of our people. At home, they apply this knowledge to their unique realities. When school and home combine successfully, children see themselves as part of the greater fabric of the Jewish people and the Jewish tradition.
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A Bet Ha'am Religious School handbook for 2009-2010 is now available. Click here.
Kindergargen religious school classes are held on Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 11:00 AM. Download the complete 2009-2010 Kindergarten religious school schedule. Click here.
Grades 1 - 6 religious school classes are held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Download the complete 2009-2010 Grades 1 - 6 religious school schedule. Click here.
Grades 7 - 10 religious school classes are held on Sunday evenings from 5:00 - 7:30 PM. Download the complete 2009-2010 Grades 7 - 10 religious school schedule. Click here.
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The goals of our curriculum are the same as the ones adopted by the Reform movement. We would like our students to become:
1. Jews who affirm their Jewish identity and bind themselves inseparably to their people by word and deed.
2. Jews who bear witness to the brit (the covenant between God and the Jewish People) through the practice of mitzvot (commandments) as studied in Torah and the classic Jewish literature it has generated, and interpreted in light of historic development and contemporary liberal thought.
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Our Religious School Library has books for all ages, which can be borrowed for two-week periods. We have storybooks, holiday books and reference materials. All of the books are marked by level so that children and parents can easily find age-appropriate reading material. As in every library, the borrower is responsible for missing books.
Our library is continually expanding with new additions throughout the year. We encourage each family to help us add books to our library by donating money towards books to mark special occasions such as birthdays and bar/bat mitzvahs. Bookplates are inscribed with the donor's name and the special occasion, and then presented at the next school assembly.
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Our tradition sometimes refers to the home as a mikdash me'at, a "sanctuary in miniature." Jewish education takes place most effectively in a home where authentic Jewish culture thrives. Families provide the most natural context for celebrating the Sabbath and Festivals, reading Jewish books and magazines, discussing Jewish topics, and reaching out to the synagogue and community. When these activities occur, children see a clear connection between Religious School and the rest of their lives. By itself, the classroom cannot teach Judaism. When combined with daily experience, classroom learning can enrich a child's understanding of and identification with the heritage.
Having said this, we recognize that many in our community may lack the tools to create the proper home environment. Both the Rabbi and the Religious School Director are available on an individual basis to assist parents in integrating the home and school experience. In addition, Congregation Bet Ha'am offers many opportunities during the year for adult learning, including special programs for parents and for parents and children together.
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Another essential part of a Jewish education is summer camp. In the safety of a camp community, a child can experience being Jewish in an entirely Jewish environment in which the conflicts and pressures of being a minority are replaced by a supportive and nurturing camping experience. The URJ operates nine camps around the country. One is a national camp for high school students, the other eight are regional camps for students entering grades three through twelve. Congregation Bet Ha'am is served by the Eisner Camp and Crane Lake, both located in Massachusetts.
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About once each month, the Friday night Shabbat service is adapted for families with school-age children. The family service is a complete Shabbat service that utilizes the prayers and songs that our students learn on Sunday mornings. It includes a story read by the Rabbi or skit performed by a Religious School class, monthly birthday blessings, and is followed by an oneg Shabbat (sharing of sweets by the community). Most months during the school year, one of the Religious School classes takes part in the family service, and a potluck dinner for that class precedes the service. Students in grades five and six will lead the family service and students in younger grades participate during the service. Students in grade seven will lead a regular Friday night service. Not only is this a nice way for a family to be together, but it is also an excellent way for children to learn by example from adult role models.
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