Our school program for children age 3 through Grade 6 aims to deepen their Jewish experience and knowledge in order to strengthen their connection to spirituality, love of Torah, and identification with the Jewish people.
Program Overview
Tuition and Fees
Through experiential programming and classroom learning, we build meaningful relationships and Jewish involvement among families in our synagogue. We strongly believe that Judaism contains answers to the challenges and questions confronting our children and families today.
By learning about Jewish beliefs and values, exploring our traditions and history, and confronting current world issues, children can discover answers for themselves and develop meaningful, rewarding lives that will continually renew, inspire and transform themselves and their community.
We have adopted the Union for Reform Judaism’s Chai Curriculum, which comprises the study of Torah, worship, and Gemilut Chasadim — the performance of good deeds. This inclusive curriculum includes creative lessons based on overarching ideas and enduring understandings, with detailed activities and evaluative tools to help teachers reach curriculum goals.
Each grade concentrates on different areas of Torah, prayer, and Jewish values so as to build a basic literacy quotient as well as a strong sense of community, both at Beth Emet and with Klal Yisrael — the Jewish people. Israel, aspects of Jewish history, and Jewish holidays are also integrated throughout the school year in a stimulating and developmentally appropriate manner.
Our Hebrew curriculum concentrates on prayer literacy — decoding of the Hebrew language, fluency in reading, and familiarity with the meaning of the prayers — as well as an understanding of the structure of the prayer service.
The students are introduced to Modern Hebrew vocabulary and basic Hebrew grammar, especially as it relates to prayers. In the last four years, we have introduced Hebrew through Movement for our students in Kindergarten through fifth grades.
Prayer and Singing
T’filah (prayer) is an important component of our curriculum. Each Sunday, students join together with the Cantor for spirited singing and active exploration of age-appropriate worship, extending classroom learning about prayer.
A child’s education is a family affair. In the course of the year, there are several family programs at each grade level centered around Shabbat, holiday observances, and subjects integral to your child’s curriculum. The goal of these programs is to provide opportunities for adult learning as well as parent/child interaction. Your participation with your child is very important and learning as a family is fun with our community!
When: Sunday mornings, from 9:30-11:00 am
This class, for children ages 3-5 with a loving adult, is a wonderful way for parents to meet others with same-age kids, and for the children to begin their “formal” Jewish education in a casual and fun-filled way. Your family does NOT need to belong to Beth Emet to enroll in Gan Yom Rishon. Learn More
Beth Emet is delighted to offer Kindergarten at no charge for students enrolled in our Sunday morning Beit Sefer (our religious school program). We encourage your family to participate in our wonderful and diverse community.
Beth Emet’s innovative and progressive Beit Sefer Kindergarten curriculum includes singing and prayer, an introduction to Hebrew, explorations through art and nature, and meaningful opportunities to connect with our Beth Emet community, Jewish traditions, and other young Jewish families!
When: Sunday mornings, from 9:30 am-12:00 pm
Young students join Beit Sefer in small groups to maximize learning and build relationships between teachers and students. The curriculum includes Torah stories from the books of Genesis and Exodus, Jewish holidays, Gemilut Chasadim (acts of loving-kindness), the State of Israel, and prayer.
When: Thursday afternoons from 4:15-6:15 pm and Sundays from 9:30am-12pm
Judaic studies and prayer-based Hebrew instruction are taught for one hour each on Thursdays and Sundays. We use the Reform Movement’s Chai curriculum which is based on the fundamental pillars of Judaism: Torah (text), Avodah (worship), and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of loving-kindness).
Together with our Cantor and teachers, students focus on specific aspects of the prayer service and engage in Gemilut Chasadim and Mitzvot that improve our world. Each grade level also focuses on age-appropriate aspects of the Jewish holidays as well as the people and land of Israel. Special events and programs for parents/caregivers with students are included throughout the school year.
When: Mondays 6:30-8:00 pm
We offer an alternative virtual class for those students who cannot attend Beit Sefer on Thursdays, either due to driving distance or a major year-long conflict on Thursday afternoons. In addition to attending classes on Sundays, these students will also participate in an online class on Monday evenings.
Registration is limited and permission from the Director of Lifelong Learning is required prior to registration. Shiur B’internet ensures that all Beth Emet Beit Sefer students engage in Hebrew learning twice a week.
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