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Sylvia F. Lodish Religious School

!ברוכים הבאים Brukhim Ha-ba'im!

Welcome! Our Religious School aims to develop a community of children and families who have the skills, knowledge and inspiration to be active members of the Jewish community. Our outstanding faculty consists of experienced teachers who have the education and passion to help Judaism come alive for their students, making our ancient tradition relevant for the lives of our 21st century American Jewish children.

Our program is guided by the following values:

אהבת תורה Ahavat Torah Inspiring a love of learning and a positive Jewish identity

אהבת ישראל/אהבת הבריות Ahavat Yisrael/Ahavat Hab’riot Instilling a sense of responsibility for the Jewish people and for all humanity

בית הכנסת Beit Haknesset Developing the skills and comfort to participate in synagogue life

אמונה Emunah Nurturing a sense of awe and wonder, connected to belief in God

ארץ ישראל Eretz Yisrael Fostering a love of and commitment to the Land and People of Israel

תלמוד תורה/שמירת מצוות Talmud Torah/Shmirat Mitzvot Cultivating knowledge and observance of Jewish practice at home and in their lives.

Click here to download this brochure

Inclusion Policy/Tikvah

We welcome all children into our school, and work with families to meet the needs of children with a wide range of learning, social and physical challenges. We have program opportunities for students who are able to participate in our neuro-typical classes, as well as our Tikvah class for students whose needs are best met in a separate space.

If your child has a special need, please be sure to contact Lisa Richman at lrichman@tbhbe.org or Audrey Perlman at aperlman@tbhbe.org, our Coordinator for Student Success, and fill out the forms as completely as possible. All information will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Days and Times:

Tikvah Sundays, 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Kindergarten & 1st Grade (Gan & Aleph) Sundays, 9:00 am – 12:15 pm

2nd – 7th Grades (Bet – Zayin) Sundays, 9:00 am – 12:15 pm

Wednesdays, 4:10 pm – 6:20 pm

Shabbat School (once a month) Saturdays, 9:00 am – 12:15 pm

עברית Hebrew Curriculum

Hebrew language plays a prominent role in our school. It is incorporated throughout the day in authentic ways. Music, Israeli dancing, special electives and other interactive learning strategies are used to reinforce Hebrew learning and to provide an element of modern Hebrew. Students are also exposed to common Hebrew words and phrases as they pertain to the cycle of the Jewish year, the classroom and basic conversation.

יהדות ותרבות Jewish Heritage and Culture

Through experiential education, our students learn Torah and Jewish history. They learn the origins, customs and laws of the Jewish holidays and then join together in celebration of each.

תפילה Prayer

In addition to our historic ties to our לשון הקודש, lashon hakodesh (special language), the ability to read and follow along in a service is key for helping our children as they grow into adulthood and feel comfortable in the Jewish community. We focus on the ability to accurately pronounce words, help students develop a basic prayer vocabulary and to better understand our prayers.

Each grade has a set of prayer goals that we expect them to master over the course of the year. In addition to accuracy and fluency, we teach leadership skills, enabling our students to take an active role in services upon becoming b'nei mitzvah.

אתגר Etgar

The Etgar program created by the Melton Research Center of the Jewish Theological Seminary to attend to the innovations and challenges emerging in the early decades of the 21st century. Educators across a diverse range of congregational and day schools settings use this educational program to engage students through active learning, meaningful Judaic content, and deep personal reflection. The program is supplemented by ongoing support for teachers.

Etgar Yesodi is a 3rd-5th grade curriculum with an integrated approach to teaching Judaics. Its three-year scope and sequence invites students to find personal meaning in their Judaism through a variety of learning modalities, including text study, art, music, writing, projects, and other hands-on experiences. You are encouraged to find out more about Etgar Yesodi and to sample the Rosh Hodesh unit.

Project Etgar, a curriculum created especially for middle school students (Grades 6-8), builds on students' prior knowledge and experiences while promoting new learning. It empowers them to articulate positive Jewish identities with pride, while adding breadth and depth to their understanding and observance of Judaism. By continually addressing students’ developmental needs, Etgar schools throughout the country create a positive, productive Jewish learning experience. Using the Etgar curriculum, teachers act as directors, leaders, and guides in the learning process. Click here for more information about the curriculum.

TBH-BE Parent Association Opportunities

The TBH-BE Education Committee is comprised of volunteer parents who work towards fulfilling the mission of the Religious School. The committee provides oversight and policy guidance for the school. There are sub-committees of the Education Committee, which review curriculum, policy and much more.

The TBH-BE Home and School Association (HSA) supports the Religious School by organizing and facilitating school community events and some fundraising. The HSA requests that each family review the options for volunteering in the school. Please choose at least one volunteer option per family.

Scholarship and Subsidies

Families who have a hardship paying Religious School Tuition and/or Youth Group dues should contact Lisa Richman or Ken Krivitzky. Please know that the synagogue is committed to your child’s Jewish education and identity and will work with you to ensure that finances never prevent a child from attending.

Shabbat School Schedule
Once a month, all students come on Shabbat (Saturday) morning instead of Sunday. The Shabbat School incorporates study of the weekly Torah portion, participation in Shabbat morning services and other Shabbat appropriate activities.

On Shabbat school days, there is a Torah study group that is parent-led and begins at 9 am. The session runs for approximately one hour. Parents are also invited to participate in the youth services during the morning.

Dates for 2019-20 Shabbat School are: