MEET US
Religious School
Parent Tot - 5th Grade
Our Schools Mission
To instill within our learners a love of Judaism through the study of Jewish history, liturgy, Torah, holidays, ethics, customs, and values, and to inspire them to embrace their heritage and lead Jewish lives both inside and outside our Jewish community.
ALL children are welcome in our school and youth programs. Our Director of Education & Lifelong Learning, Morissa R. Freiberg, RJE is a graduate of the Matan Institute for Education Directors, which provides training for inclusion and differentiated learning in Jewish education.
Our Goals
- Gain knowledge about history, liturgy, sacred texts, traditions, values and ethics of the Jewish people.
- Celebrate Jewish rituals and traditions in the synagogue and at home.
- Participate in opportunities to explore personal relationships with God.
- Understand and appreciate the historical and contemporary relevance of the land of Israel in our lives.
- Identify with the larger Jewish community of the synagogue, the nation, and the world.
- Feel obligated to perform acts of social justice, kindness, and compassion.
- Recognize the role of family in Jewish life and Jewish education.
- Participate in opportunities to explore personal relationships with God.
- Value and respect the importance of individual choice.
- Identify with Reform Judaism and its emphasis on contemporary thought and practices.
Parent-Tot
Religious School begins at age 2 at Beth Tikvah!
Our once-per-month Parent-Tot class is experienced-based and uses story, song, sensory activities, and crafts to provide 2-4-year-olds with some of their first experiences in Judaism!
A parent/guardian, grandparent, or significant adult must accompany the child.
Early Elementary: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Pre-K & Kindergarten:
Classes meet weekly each Sunday morning by grade level.
Our experience-based curriculum teaches children important values such as “love your neighbor as yourself”, hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests), and tzedakah (charity).
We also focus on Jewish holidays and basic synagogue vocabulary.
1st & 2nd Grade:
These classes use the Union for Reform Judaism’s CHAI Curriculum in addition to supplementary texts and experiences.
Our curriculum is broken into three parts:
1. Torah
2. Avodah (prayer)
3. G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness)
The curriculum will also feature an introduction to the Hebrew alphabet.
Upper Elementary: 3rd - 5th Grade
Grades 3-5 use the Union for Reform Judaism’s CHAI Curriculum in addition to supplementary texts and experiences.
The main themes by grade level are:
3rd Grade:
Kedusha (holiness), Jewish Values
4th Grade:
Kehilla (community), Israel
5th Grade:
The Prophets, Lifecycle Events Chuggim
(Electives):
Grades 3-5 participate in 45-minute electives that rotate throughout the year.
Children can choose between varying topics such as Jewish music, drama, dancing, Israel, Jewish diversity, cooking, yoga, gaming, book club, and more!
Special Experiences:
Our upper elementary students participate in other monthly specials such as t’filah (prayer), music, Israeli dance, guest speakers, Maccabi games, service projects, and field trips!
