BRIS

STORY HOUR

Story Hour: a one-hour program held once a month on a Sunday where 3- 5 year olds are introduced to the Jewish holidays through stories, songs and arts & craft projects. Children are exposed to Judaism in a fun, creative way, which helps them to create a positive Jewish identity. One does not have to be a member of the synagogue to participate and there is no charge involved.

SHABBAT SOUP, SONG  & STORY HOUR

Led by Rabbi Benjamin
Friday Nights, 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. in Family Chapel
Check the calendar for schedule.

Geared toward families with children 6 and under (though older siblings are always welcome to participate), Shabbat Soup, Song & Story is a fun-filled time for all. For 20 – 30 minutes, Rabbi Benjamin leads parents and children in Shabbat songs, (including his famous “Put a chicken in the pot” song), dancing, singing the Shema, Torah marching and reads an age-appropriate story or two. After putting the Torah away, the group files into the Library where a Shabbat dinner of Challah, Kosher Chicken soup (veggie is available upon request) and a special dessert is waiting for the children. Candles are lit, Shabbat blessings are sung and then the children eat while the parents schmooze! This program is FREE. RSVP’s to Office@TempleShalomOnLine.org are appreciated.

BAR / BAT MITZVAH

PASSPORT TO ISRAEL

Temple Shalom participates in The Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel by matching  contributions of our  congregants. Give your child the experience of a lifetime. We can help.

The Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel program is a unique savings plan to help parents send their children on a life-changing teen Israel experience. The program is designed so that the community, the synagogue and CJP, helps families make a trip to Israel during the high school years a reality.

So, give your child the passport he or she needs to become a proud part of the Jewish future. Enroll now in the Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel Program and join us in planning for your child’s future.

Q: Who is eligible?
A: Any child in third or seventh grade enrolled in a formal Jewish education program whose family is a member of a participating congregation.

Q: How much are the yearly contributions?
A: The contribution for the regular seven-year program (beginning in 3rd grade) is:

• $200 jointly from your family and congregation each year. ($100 each from the family and the congregation).
• $700 from CJP will be contributed at the end of the program.

The contribution of the three-year option (beginning in 7th grade) is:

• $400 jointly from your family and congregation each year.($200 each from family and congregation)
• $700 from CJP will be contributed at the end of the program.

Q: How much money will the fund be worth by the end of 10th grade?
A: Based on current economic conditions, contributions plus interest should total approximately $2,200 for seven-year participants and $2,000 for three-year participants.

Q: When can your child travel on a Passport to Israel-supported trip?
A: Teens can use their Passport funds anytime after 10th grade and before college.

Q: Will the accumulated amount pay for the entire trip?
A: No, but it will cover a significant portion of the cost. Closer to the trip, you can also apply for scholarships from the program your child has chosen, your congregation, CJP and national organizations.

Q: What kind of trips qualify for the Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel funds?
A: The money may be used for any post-10th grade Israel trip of four weeks or longer approved by your congregation’s Passport to Israel Committee.

Q: What if my family leaves the congregation, or my child decides not to go on an Israel trip?
A: You and the congregation will receive a full refund of all contributions.Any interest will remain with the Passport fund.If your child transfers to another participating congregation, he/she may continue in the program.

For more information, contact passport@cjp.org

RABBI JEROME WEISTROP RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

Mission Statement: Our religious school reflects an educational partnership between parents, students, staff and the wider synagogue community where we share a commitment to engendering a positive Jewish identity in both intellect and affect. We achieve this goal through experiential learning, social action, acts of Gemilut Hessed and a commitment to Klal Yisrael. Through our creative curriculum, we teach core synagogue skills as well as fundamental aspects of Jewish culture. We strive, to the best of our ability, to meet the educational needs of all children including those with special needs.

Gan (K)

The focus of this curriculum is to introduce the children to being Jewish. This is achieved through stories, songs, arts & crafts and discussion. The topics covered are Shabbat, Jewish holidays, Jewish symbols and Bible stories. There is also some exposure to the Hebrew alphabet.

Pre-Aleph (1^st-2^nd grade)

In this program, the children continue to explore their Jewish identity.The concepts of Shabbat are reinforced and the blessings for Shabbat are learned. The students are also introduced to the Hebrew letters as well as learning some common Hebrew phrases. The holidays are once again taught through hands on projects. There is also a Shabbat Family dinner for the families held on a Friday night during the year where the children are able to actually use what they have learned in the classroom.

Aleph (3^rd graders)

The students begin to learn how to decode the Hebrew alphabet. By the end of the year, the students are able to read words both accurately and fluently. They also learn key Hebrew words and some common Hebrew phrases. The Parshah (Torah chapter) of the week is studied and discussed through reading, activity sheets and discussions.

Bet (4^th graders)

Introduction to the siddur (prayerbook) and the Shacharit service prayers are the focus of this curriculum. The textbook series, Hineni, is used which helps the students not only learn how to read and chant the prayers fluently, but helps them to understand the meaning and themes of the prayers as well. Learning the meaning of key root words is introduced as well. The stories of some of the major Prophets are read as well as the teaching of ethical values and mitzvot (commandments).

Gimmel (5^th graders)

This curriculum uses Hineni 2 which continues to build on the prayers learned in Kitah Bet, adding more prayers from Shacharit and introducing new prayers from Kabbalat Shabbat. Israel is also introduced. The students learn the history, geography, cultural life and the importance of Israel to the Jewish people through textbooks, stories, videos and even cooking. The workings of the Jewish calendar are explained and the Hebrew date determined during every class.

Dalet (6^th graders)

The Hineni 3 book is used which teaches the students the prayers of the Torah and Musaf service. By the end of the year, the students are able to recognize key root words, read/chant prayers fluently and most importantly, feel a sense of comfort and familiarity in the service. The Jewish Life Cycle is also taught where the students are explained the “hows” and “whys” of the different major cyclical events.

Hey (7^th graders)

This year the Rabbi and the Education Director teach the students some of the curriculum. The rabbi introduces the students to the Torah trope and gives them the opportunity to chant a few lines of Torah at a Shabbat morning service. The class is also taught some conversational Hebrew, using texts with simple Hebrew stories. The educational director teaches the Holocaust, using a program designed by Facing History and Ourselves. The class also learns about the laws of Kashrut and other Jewish topics that the class decides on.

Other Important Facts about our school:

• Gan/Pre-Aleph meet on Sundays only, 9:00-11:30 AM
• Aleph-Hey meet on Sundays, 9:00-11:30 AM & Tuesdays 4:15-6:15 PM
• All school Havdalah service is held on Sundays, 9-9:15AM.
• All-school Learners’ service is held on Sundays, 11-11:30 AM (parents encouraged to attend)
• All holiday events/activities are “family friendly” and families are encouraged to attend.
• School led Shabbat morning services held throughout the year
• All day Shabbaton to be held in February
• Mitzvah projects/field trips
• School run snack shop