The Religious School

 

2010-2011 Registration Package

See the Religious School Weekly Newsletter here.

The Jewish Center Religious School has 350 students in grades Pre-K through 10. Our goal is to develop in our students a sense of pride in our heritage and a commitment to the Jewish people.  We strive not only to teach Jewish ideas and values, but also to ensure that children learn the skills necessary to function effectively as members of the Jewish Community.  From their studies, we hope that our students will become proud Jews and participants in Jewish life.

Children in Pre-K (Gan Katan) meet monthly and those in Kindergarten through second grade (Gan, Alef and Bet) meet on Sunday, with an optional Hebrew enrichment class (Mechina) offered on Thursday afternoon. This primary program includes beginning Hebrew reading, basic prayers, Bible stories and Jewish holidays,  customs and celebrations through art, music and experiential activities. The Mechina program is one of Hebrew language emersion, using the Chalavv' D'vash curriculum, and reinforces our primary curriculum through Hebrew conversation, song, dance and stories.

In grades 3 through 6 (Gimmel, Dalet, Heh and Vav), we offer both two and three day-per-week options (Sunday/Tuesday for a total of four hours, or Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday for a total of six hours). Both programs include Hebrew and Judaic studies on each day that students attend. The Hebrew program is T'fillah based and Judaic studies include Torah, Jewish holidays and customs, values, history and Israel. Three day students have an additional day of Hebrew classes in prayer, Hebrew conversation and Judaic studies. All students have enrichments in art, music, library and family programs, trips, and special grade/school activities to enhance their Jewish learning and living.

All seventh graders (Zayin) attend two days (Sunday and Thursday) and eighteen Shabbat mornings. Their curriculum includes Torah, Jewish American history, values, the Holocaust and Mishna.

Our high school program, called Tichon, is for students in grades 8 through 10 and takes place on Wednesday evenings. This program offers students required core courses and a choice of elective classes.  Core courses include Torah, Israel, Comparative Judaism and Contemporary Jewish Issues. Elective courses vary each semester and have included classes in Torah, modern Israel, Holocaust, contemporary Jewish culture, Hebrew language, film, cooking, art, literature and music. The course of study leads to a culminating Siyyum Tichon ceremony at the end of 10th grade. Tenth graders also have an opportunity to participate in an annual community service trip to the Gulf Coast/Biloxi MS.

For 11th and 12th grades there is a Gesher L'Kesher Peer Leadership program run in conjunction with other area synagogues and Jewish Family and Children's Service.

Our Shabbat program includes a class Shabbat service and dinner for each grade  and Shabbat morning services for all ages. Students also have a Shabbat services requirement which should be fulfilled at the following services.

  • Tot Shabbat: on the first and third Shabbat of the month at 11 am (for preschoolers)
  • Shabbat LaTze'erim: weekly at 11:00 am for Gan, Alef and Bet (grades K-2)
  • Shabbat LaYeladim: weekly at 10:30 am for Gimmel - Heh (grades 3-5)
  • Shabbat LaMishpacha: on the second Shabbat of the month at 10:30 am (preschool through grade 2)
  • Vav Seminar: on the first and third Shabbat of the month at 9:30 am (6th grade students and their parents; class is followed by services in the sanctuary)
  • Zayin Torah Class: weekly at 9:30 am followed by services in the Sanctuary (7th grade)

For more information, email Fran Amir and see the resource page.