Religious & Hebrew School 2020-2021

TBE and the Terri A. Ginsburg Religious & Hebrew school have always been a place where our members find Jewish community, support, and care, and now we get the chance to show this in a Covid-19 world. We recognize this coming academic year is going to continue to be a challenge for students and parents and have made the difficult but necessary decision to serve our community in an online format. Guided by our primary values of Simplicity, Community, and Creativity, we are creating something entirely new! This year, we have the opportunity to expand and think big because we will start the year entirely online.

What Your Students Will Need
Parents, we are taking great care not to make any decisions that increase your already heavy burden. In fact, we are working to make school at TBE as easy as we can for you and your children. For example, in addition to our paper and pdf school calendars, this year you can subscribe to our School Google calendar. See all of our classes right on your google calendar, and each event will include the Zoom link your student will need to join their classes.

Most importantly, families will NOT need to purchase any additional materials to participate in Religious and Hebrew school. At the start of the year, each of our elementary and Hebrew students will receive and decorate their very own Torah Toolboxes. These personalized Torah Toolboxes will contain everything students need to successfully participate in school this year. Once or twice a month, your child(ren) will receive a new package to resupply their Toolboxes, subscription box-style, on your doorstep! You’ll get pencils, markers, worksheets, modeling clay, everything you’ll need to succeed this year.

Each student will need their own internet capable device with a microphone and camera during Religious and Hebrew School.  We recommend a computer (desktop or laptop) if possible.  You could also use a tablet or Chromebook, though they may have somewhat more limited functionality.  We do not suggest using smartphones.  Families can share devices amongst students as long as their classes do not meet at the same time.  For any questions about technology, please contact Rabbi Daniel.

Fall 2020 – Spring 2021 Religious & Hebrew School Schedule 

Click here for the Fall 2020 School Calendar!

Saturday Religious School:

• PS3 – monthly from 9:00-9:30am
• PS4 – weekly from 9:00-9:30am
• Grades K-2 – weekly from 9:45-10:45am
• Grades 3-5 – weekly from 11:00am-12:15pm

This year, our elementary and middle school grades have a brand new whole school curriculum.  Each month we will focus on a new Jewish value through different lenses.  These classes will focus on building and maintaining our community of friends and learners.  In addition to this friendship-focused class time, each of our preschool and elementary students will enjoy regular music and library sessions.

Last year, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders experimented with an immersion-based Hebrew learning model called Hebrew Through Movement. This year, we are expanding the program to include all of our elementary students, K-5. Hebrew Through Movement shares the beauty of Hebrew as a real, spoken language, enabling young learners to get a taste of the sound and feel of the language long before they begin learning to read it. This exposure will make learning to read Hebrew easier and far more fun as they begin to recognize words they already know!

Sunday Religious School:

• Grades 6-8 – weekly from 5:30-6:15pm
• Grades 9-12 – weekly from 6:30-7:30pm

We are overhauling our Middle and High School programs as well!  Our 6th-8th grades will take part in our whole school curriculum, where each month will focus on a new value.  Now, your 7th grader and your 3rd grader can discuss the different ways they are learning the same topics at the dinner table!

Our popular Confirmation program with Rabbi Josh will now include both 9th and 10th grades, as we expand it into a two year program. These students will meet together with Rabbi Josh, exploring Jewish decision making, different religions, and social justice.

Additionally, our Middle and High School students will have the opportunity to participate in  a new series of electives in an exciting new format! More information on electives will be coming soon.

Hebrew School:
Traditional class-based Hebrew decoding education does not work as well in an online learning model. So, we’re changing it up! This year, rather than meeting in grade level classes for two hours a week, our students will enjoy a more individualized, small group online learning model. By meeting in small groups of 1-4 students for 20 minutes a week online, our students will benefit from both more individual attention as well as a class that moves at their own pace.  With our new program, our students will receive much of the benefits of private tutoring while also getting to see friends and stay part of our Hebrew School community!

These 20 minute individual or small group sessions will meet during our regular Hebrew School class times, Sunday from 3-5pm or Wednesday from 4:30-6:30pm. We will post an online sign-up sheet, so you will be able to choose times that best work for your family. If Sunday and Wednesday afternoons do not work, please be in touch and we will find alternatives.

In addition to the small group sessions, students will still participate in weekly learners’ tefillah with our clergy, where they learn to lead their friends in worship as they continue to prepare to become Bat and Bar Mitzvah.  These worship opportunities will take place in between small group sessions on Sundays and Wednesdays.

STAFF

Director of Education – Rabbi Daniel K. Alter   rabbialter@templebethemeth.org

Shabbat Religious School Coordinator – Emily Alter emilybethalter@gmail.com

Religious School Coordinator – Sarah Davidson   sdavidson@templebethemeth.org

School Phone- 734-665-5817