During this school year the program committee has planned several field trips for the kindergarten through 3 grade classes. These field trips are being planned to give time for the parents to meet each other and children to have time together outside of religious school. We hope that you and your children can join us for these field trips. Please RSVP to Stefanie for all fieldtrips by the Monday preceeding the field trip at program@templebethelmadison.org or call at 238-3123.
Kindergarteners Go Apple Picking Sunday, Sept. 7, immediately following Kindergarten orientation
Immediate following Kindergarten orientation please join the other kindergarten families for a picnic lunch and apple picking at Epelgaarden farm in Fitchburg. We will leave from Temple immediately following Kindergarten orientation and meet at the farm for a picnic lunch supplied by Temple. We will then go and pick apples as a group. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 2.
1st Graders Go On a Nature Hike Sunday, September 28, 3 – 4:30
ArboretumVisitors Center
Please join us as we get together in the Arboretum Visitor’s Center to do an activity before we head out to the great outdoors for a guided tour. The parents will have a separate activity from the children so you can become more familiar with each other. We will run this program rain or shine so please join us. Please RSVP by Monday, September 22.
2nd Graders Bake Apple Treats for Temple’s Break Fast
Sunday, October 5, 3 – 5 pm Please join us as the 2nd graders help to baked yummy apple treats which will then be available for our Temple’s Yom Kippur Break Fast on Thursday, October 9. This will give the kids a chance to work in the kitchen and do a Mitzvah by baking for others. Of course, some of the treats will be made to be tasted by all that attend this event. Please RSVP by Monday, September 29.
Religious and Hebrew School Changes for 2008/2009 School Year
This is a brief outline of the changes that will take place for Religious/Hebrew school for the 2008/2009 School Year.
1. Hebrew school will only be on Wed. afternoons. There will be no Hebrew school on Monday nights.
2. Hebrew school hours on Wed. afternoons will be extended. The time will be from 4:15 - 6 p.m.
3. Hebrew school will now include 3rd graders.
4. 7th graders will complete the 7th grade year of Hebrew school even if their Bar/Bat Mitzvah occurs before the end of the school year.
5. There will be Sat. Shabbat study sessions and families are required to attend 4 out of the 8 scheduled Sat. The Saturday Shabbat sessions will be from 10:30 - 12:30 p.m. The Shabbat morning family education program is designed for parents and students in grades 3-7 with programming for sibs in k-2 and child care for preschoolers.
6. Sunday school hours remain the same but 30 minutes of Hebrew will be incorporated in grades 4-7.
Temple Beth El has a well-established religious school, providing religious programming for children from Kindergarten through 7th grade on Sunday morning; Hebrew School for children in 4th through 7th grades and a high school program, Midrasha, for students in 8th through 12th grades
Curriculum of the Religious School
Kindergarten -- basic holiday celebrations, Jewish traditions and basic prayers.
1st Grade -- Bible stories from Genesis and Exodus, the Ten Commandments, holidays, and a special creation unit.
2nd Grade -- Prayer and the synagogue, life cycle ceremonies and Jews around the world.
3rd Grade -- Imaginary trip to Israel to study holidays, geography and culture. Parent are invited to a study session with the Educator on the history of Israel.
4th Grade -- Jewish calendar, review of holidays and life cycle, Jewish values and biographies.
5th Grade -- Bible; structure, ethics and history. Study of Torah, Prophets and the Writings with an emphasis on the Bible's discussion of ethical concerns, joint study curriculum with an Israeli school. Parents are invited to study the Ten Commandments with the Educator.
6th Grade -- Relationship between Jews and major cultures after the biblical period, including Greek and Roman rule, Christianity and Islam, and how Judaism evolved from a religion of priests and sacrifices to rabbis and synagogues. The Rabbi leads a study session for students and parents on Jewish law.
7th Grade -- Immigration to the U.S., Zionism, Shoah, and lessons from the URJ's Chai curriculum on Torah, Avodah, and G'milut Chasadim. Parents are welcome to join their children for the 3 sessions on immigration and geneology.
Special programming activities of the Sunday program
This includes Keren Ami collection, a lively weekly vocal music/Israeli dance program for grades K - 5, 20 Minutes Hebrew Program for K through 3rd grade, a mock wedding ceremony in 2nd grade, 4th grade presentation at the community Hanukkah Chagigah, and grade led/participatory Shabbat services during Shabbat Midor Lador in grades 1, 3, 5 and 6. Kindergarten students are consecrated during the Simchat Torah service. Monthly weekday school services are held during Sunday school led by the Rabbi and song leaders. School holiday services are held for Selichot, Sukkot, and Yom Hashoah. Families are encouraged to attend congregational services for Simchat Torah and the Megillah reading and to participate in the community Israeli Independence Day observance of Yom Ha'atzmaut.
Confirmation Please click here to see section on confirmation for more information.
Midrasha
Post B'nai Mitzvah students at Temple Beth El are expected to participate in Midrasha. Midrasha is administered though the Madison Jewish Community Council in cooperation with Temple Beth El, Beth Israel Center, and Shaarei Shamayim. Classes are offered in Hebrew and Jewish studies for students in 8th through 12th grade. There are both the required and elective course available. Confirmation, celebrated around Shavuot, takes place at the end of 10th grade.
JEWISH HOLIDAY INFORMATION
Learn about the Jewish holidays and explore the customs and traditions of Reform Jews throughout North America. Union congregations invite you to visit their websites to learn how they weave celebration and tradition into their communities. We are pleased to share this information with you and wish you a chag sameach!
Click here to find out more information from URJ about Jewish Holidays
RELIGIOUS AND HEBREW SCHOOL CALENDAR
Limood: Let's Learn
What do Shabbat, Chanukah, Torah study and wearing a tallit have in common? Click here to find out...
Click here for the "Great Kiddush" (not your familiar Friday night)
