Talmud Torah Religious School
“The study of Torah is equivalent to all [the mitzvot].”
(Siddur Prayerbook)
Temple Beth Shalom’s Religious School and Hebrew Programs provide an inclusive and comfortable environment for learning and experiencing firsthand the joys of Jewish tradition and practice.
Download a copy of the 2008-2009 Talmud Torah Religious School Registration Forms by clicking here.
Lower School
The earliest years of Jewish religious education — Kindergarten through 2nd grade — focus on basic biblical and post-biblical stories, holiday celebrations, lifecycle events and synagogue life. These general studies prepare the child for a 3rd-6th grade curriculum centering on four areas: Jewish History, Symbols and Celebrations, Ethics and Values, and Text Study. Age-appropriate units of study are presented throughout the year to round out a child’s overall knowledge in key areas of Jewish cultural literary. In addition, each semester these children select an elective from a wide range of subjects focusing on cultural aspects of Judaism, e.g., arts and craft, folk dance, dramatics, story telling/writing, newsletter, etc.
Upper School
The 7th-8th program combines social, educational and social action curriculum to prepare our post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students for furthering their studies and activities within the Temple. The 9th grade curriculum consists of a curriculum on the American Jewish experience culminating in a trip to “Jewish New York” in June. The Confirmation curriculum focuses on the Reform perspective of various social issues, views about God and views about the afterlife in preparation for a Confirmation service at year’s end.
Faculty
TBS’s faculty is composed of individuals strong in interpersonal skills and knowledgeable about Judaism and education. Our teachers maintain the highest standards of menschlichkeit (human decency) in order to develop the productive relationships with each student. Our staff uses every creative means possible to bring the point of their lessons to life and to excite their students in the beauty of Judaism’s traditions.
Events
- Class Dinners/Brunches
Every class hosts a dinner or brunch and service to be held at the Temple. Families are highly encouraged to attend to share the joys of celebrating our festivals and Shabbat together, to study together and to get to know families of classmates informally. In addition, your child will participate in a presentation during the service to follow the meal.
- Religious School “Graduation” Ceremonies
- Consecration — A consecration ceremony is scheduled in December for all students beginning their formal religious school training.
- Bar/Bat Mitzvah — Children are called to the Torah as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at age 13. The following are the requirements to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beth Shalom:
- completion of the equivalent of four years of Hebrew instruction;
- active participation in the Religious School during the years of Hebrew instruction;
- attendance at a minimum of six Sabbath services between the ages of 11 and 13;
- completion of a mitzvah project in conjunction with Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation.
- Confirmation — Youth who complete at least two full years of post-eighth grade education, including the Confirmation year, are eligible for Confirmation.
Religious School Committees
Participation on the Council of Jewish Education (to determine the goals and policies of the Religious School) and the Parent Temple Organization (to assist teachers and the school in providing social, educational and extracurricular support and programming for our Religious School students) is encouraged.
Family Jewish Learning
“When a parent studies with a child, who is the teacher and who the student?”
(Reb Hayyim)
In addition to Religious and Hebrew School, TBS offers opportunities for parents and children to learn side by side. These programs, family services and congregation-wide family learning workshops are based around Jewish holidays and values. A Family Jewish Education Committee consults on family Jewish programming at TBS.
PreSchool Programming
“Let the lesson you study be like a song!”
(Rabbi Abaye in the Talmud)
During the school year, the temple sponsors preschool programming. Crafts, cooking, stories, music, tot services and occasional field trips enable parents and their youngsters to experience the joys of Jewish living in a creative and active way.