The Emanuel Synagogue. Religious School Parent Handbook 5776 ( )

Transcription

1 The Emanuel Synagogue Religious School Parent Handbook 5776 ( )

2 Shalom! Welcome to the (5776) school year for the Emanuel Synagogue Religious School. With this handbook, we provide you with information about the when and the how regarding our classroom instruction and related programs. Emanuel Synagogue offers a unique approach to the education of all Jews: children, adults, and families. All of our congregation s programs are developed for, and oriented towards, building a Jewish community. Our program has two guiding principles: 1. Jewish education never ends. Learning is a lifetime endeavor. We hope to instill in our students a desire to continue their Jewish studies beyond their time spent in our school. We also provide opportunities for parents and children to learn together through regular family education programs. 2. Jewish education should engender in its students a sense of pride in their heritage, and most importantly, a sense of belonging to a unique and caring community. The religious school is governed by the Board of Trustees through the Education Committee of Emanuel Synagogue. The Education Committee continually develops ideas and new programs to enrich the educational value for our students. May this coming year be one of health and happiness for you and your family. May it also be one of great learning and growth for you and our entire community. B shalom, Katherine Goldman Director of Congregational learning Contact Information Director of Congregational Learning: Kate Goldman kate@emanuelsynagogue.org Rabbi: Rabbi David Small rabbismall@emanuelsynagogue.org

3 SCHOOL HOURS Sundays: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Kitah Gan - Kitah Zayin (K - 7 th ) Tuesdays: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM or Wednesdays: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Kitah Gimmel - Kitah Zayin (3 rd - 7 th ) Mission Statement The Emanuel Synagogue Religious School partners with the Emanuel community to create an environment that is conducive to learning and understanding Judaism within the framework of the Conservative Movement. We strive to give children and families the tools and experiences that will help them to live a Jewish life. We endeavor to impart a love for Judaism and for Eretz Yisrael, engagement with God, and a commitment to mitzvot and tikkun olam. Goals: Yehadut: Love of being Jewish To develop an appreciation of Judaism, and a sense of pride in being Jewish, by providing a positive, experiential atmosphere for learning prayers, history, and holidays using art forms, music, cooking, and other projects. Mitzvot: Living a Jewish Life To engage with God, Torah, and mitzvot within the framework of the Conservative Movement and to incorporate them into our lives in a meaningful way. Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World To develop a sense of Jewish responsibility towards all people throughout the world through tzedakah-charity and gemilut chasadim-acts of loving kindness. Klal Yisrael: Israel-Land, People, State To develop an appreciation and identification with Klal Yisrael and to foster a sense of community with Jews in Israel and around the world. T fillah: Prayer To develop synagogue competence, including understanding the structure and meaning of Jewish prayer and the ability to participate in congregational services. Ivrit: Hebrew To develop basic Hebrew reading and writing skills. EDUCATION COMMITTEE Our Education Committee is continually re-examining the role of the religious school in our community. One of the goals of the Education Committee is to develop a document that reflects our community s beliefs and values with respect to educating ourselves and our children. We invite any interested congregants to join us. Please contact Katherine Goldman at kate@emanuelsyangogue.org or Education Committee Chair, Becky Azia, at beckyazia@gmail.com

4 Parental Brit (Covenant): WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR PARENTS Parents will volunteer in the Religious School: Each family will be required to volunteer the amount of hours their child attends Religious School during the week. For example, a parent of a student in Kindergarten 2 nd grade should volunteer 3 hours a year. A parent of a student in 5 th grade should volunteer 5 hours a year. A list of volunteer opportunities will be available the first day of classes. An alternative for families with scheduling conflicts is to "buy" their Kehillah hours at the rate of $36.00 per hour. We are really looking forward to making our families an even more integral part of our school community, and we truly believe that we will all be richer for the experience! Parents will guide their children to remember their supplies: Supplies, as you know, are limited, as is our budget. Please provide your child with a folder for bringing home work, a kippah if you prefer they do not use synagogue kippot, and money for snack and/or tzedakah. We are also asking each student to bring in a box of tissue. If you have anything else that you might be willing to donate to the school, please contact your child s teacher or Kate. Your donations will be much appreciated! We also are always in need of recyclables to use for craft projects including toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls. We are also in much need of art supplies. Parents will try to avoid giving students a high sugar snack prior to school: We find that snacks high in protein, fat, or delicious fresh fruits give kids the brain power they need to focus, especially from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Emanuel Synagogue will sell bagels and cream cheese on Sundays and cheese pizza on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There will also be available gluten free and dairy free option. Please send your child with $1.25 on Sundays and $1.50 on Tuesday or Wednesday for snack. Any food brought into the synagogue MUST be kosher dairy or parve with a hechsher. We ask that children do not bring meat snacks to the synagogue. Parents will read handouts and s we send you: We know you are swamped with s so we try to keep our updates pertinent and meaningful. Please check your child s Hebrew School folder for flyers and make sure you are aware of the homework students are assigned, and help to make sure students complete the assignments. Teachers will send out a weekly called the Hadashot to parents. This newsletter includes upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and updates on what the classes are covering. Please read this newsletter carefully so you can fully participate and make the most out of our community. Parents will follow pick up and drop off procedures: Children missing more than 25% of class sessions may be required to make up missed assignments to fulfill school attendance requirements. Parents who are wanting to pick up kids early must see Gail Mackey, the Religious School office assistant to get the student from their classroom. Students cannot go by themselves into the parking lot to wait for you. Someone not on your child s emergency form will not be allowed to pick up. Please send Kate Goldman a permission note if a babysitter or family friend is picking up your child and they are not on the list. Parents will communicate with teachers appropriately: Parents who have concerns with a teacher or with what is being taught are asked to first speak directly with the teacher after school or during the week. Please do not approach a teacher before school or once class has started. If you feel your concern has not been addressed by the teacher, please speak with the Director of Congregational Learning, Kate Goldman.

5 Student Brit (Covenant): WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR STUDENTS Students will participate in Tefillah: Kipot should be worn by all students at all times during school hours. Students will cooperate with other students and staff. Students will follow proper behavior in the classroom and in Tefillah or special programs: Students show honor to teachers, teen assistants, and all staff members by listening, following directions, and being polite. Students will treat the building and its furnishings with care. Students will bring their homework assignments, books and Hebrew school folder to class. Discipline problems will be handled by the teacher and Education Director as needed. Parents will be notified if there is a continuing problem. NO child will be permitted to prevent learning in the classroom. Students will complete homework assignments: There will be one page homework assignments given out once a week. These assignments are not busy work and are essential to Hebrew retention. Students who turn in their weekly homework get to go to gumball Sunday! Students will not exhibit the following behavior: Students will not tease or insult other children, teen assistants or staff. Students will not be physically or verbally aggressive. Students will not deface the building, books, or furnishings. Students will not bring or use mobile devices in class, with the exception of school provided lessons on our ipads. School Director s Brit (Covenant): WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME Communicate with parents: Director will communicate immediately with parent if there are behavior issues or Hebrew learning issues. Director will also solicit feedback from parents and students regularly on communication, instruction, program and policy. Director will make sure parents are aware of upcoming events through announcements, weekly s, and flyers. Provide well developed and engaging curriculum for teachers: Teachers were given curriculum with instructional objectives and activities that make sure the lessons are not repetitive, are developmentally appropriate, and are experiential. Provide faculty with professional development: Teachers will receive professional development on a regular basis, including classroom management, and technology training.

6 SHABBAT ATTENDANCE We ask that every family commit to attending Shabbat services over the course of the year. This helps students and families learn the Shabbat morning service. Below is the benchmark we want children in each grade to meet. Attendance at Jr. Congregation or the main service fulfills the requirement. K-2 nd grade attends 6 services 3 rd grade attends 7 services 4 th grade attends 8 services 5 th grade attends 9 services 6 th grade attends 10 services 7 th grade attends 11 services TEEN PROGRAMMING USY and Kadimah Our teens and their Jewish friends are encouraged to participate in our Youth Groups. These groups provide opportunities to socialize outside of our classrooms with other Jewish teens from around Northern California. Teens also have the opportunity to participate in programs with Jewish teens from around the world. Kadimah is USY for kids in 6 th - 8 th grades. USY is for teens in the 9 th - 12 th grades. If you are interested in joining either group, please contact Kate Goldman at kate@emanuelsynagogue.org Emanuel Synagogue has once again formed a partnership with JTConnect. Classes take place here at Emanuel on Sundays from 10:30 am -. 12:00 pm. It is open to all 8 th - 12 th grade Emanuel students. We encourage every teen to attend. For more information, please contact Heather at or office@jtconnect.org

7 Summary of The Topics Covered in Our Curriculum: Gan Aleph Bet Gimmel Dalet Hey Vav Zayin Hebrew Aleph-Bet Tefillah Modeh Ani, Mah Tovu, Shema, Shabbat brachot Review of Aleph- Bet Some vowels Barachu, Shalom Aleichem Etz Chayim Vowels Shehecheyanu Lecha Dodi Oseh Shalom Havdallah Reading Skills Brachot System Shema & Blessings History none none none none History of the Jewish populations from Jewish culture from around the world Tanakh Read Aloud Stories from Genesis and Exodus Parashat HaShavuah Prophets & Writings Amidah Chanting of Torah Torah Service Chanting of Haftarah Birkat Hamazon Havdallah Kabbalat Shabbat Torah service same same same same Israeli History 2 nd temple period until shoah Genesis Exodus Leviticus Deuteronomy/ Numbers Holocaust Prophets and social justice Chagim Home Observance Shul rituals Middot Brachot World traditions Biblical Passages/ tefilot Mitzvot Hot topics Judaic Identity, Jewish Home, Jewish symbols Get to know your Synagogue Values through holidays Lifecycles Jewish Culture from Around the World Israeli history, geography and culture Harry Potter and Jewish values Great Debates Throughout Jewish Tradition

8 Emanuel Synagogue Religious School Spiral Curriculum Kitah Gan Home Observance Kitah Aleph Shul Observances Kitah Bet Middot Rosh HaShanah Apples & Honey Tashlich Ritual Lighting Yom Tov candles Round challah Art Project: Rosh Hashanah Centerpiece Reading the story of Akedat Yitzchak Blowing the Shofar Art Project: Make a plastic shofar Teshuvah - saying you are sorry Yom Kippur Traditions for clothes - white, kittle, no leather Lighting Yom Tov Candles Break the fast Art Project: Yom Kippur shoes Machzor Avinu Malkeinu chorus Art Project: My own little Machzor Chet missing the mark Book of life Art Project: Write things you do not want to repeat on Whale (Jonah) Simchat Torah Art project: Flags Art Project: Cereal box Aron Kodesh Art Project: Rejoicing Sukkot Basic rules of building the sukkah Decorating the sukkah Lighting Yom Tov candles Making dishes with harvest vegetables Art Project: Shoe box sukkah Lulav and Etrog Symbolism of each branch Art Project: Paper lulav and etrog Inviting Guests- Humility (Anavah) and Gratitude (Hakarot Hatov) Hanukkah How to Play Driedel, Art Project: Clay Driedel Publicizing the miracle Singing Hanukkah Songs Putting hanukiyah in windows Courage- ometz lev

9 Tu B Shevat Kitah Gan Home Observance In Our Image partnership with God in taking care of the planet Art Project: Planting Parsley Kitah Aleph Shul Observances Tu B Shevat Seder Basics Art Project: Seder plate/make your own Seder book Kitah Bet Middot Bal Tashchit: Do Not Destroy Art Project: Recycling Purim Mishloach Manot- giving gift baskets to 3 friends Dressing Up- being someone different- Esther hid her identity Art Project: Make a gift basket for a friend Reading the Megillah Shaking the grogger Art Project: Make a grogger Justice and giving Pesach Cleaning for Pesach, Basic Seder Plate Mastering the four Questions Shavuot Eating dairy Story of Ruth, studying Torah all night Loving the stranger Talmud Torah

10 Kitah Gimel Brachot Kitah Dalet World Traditions Kitah Hay Tefillot Rosh HaShanah Apples and honey blessing Yom tov candles Shechechiyanu Sephardic Seder Prayers from the machzor- God as our Father our King Avinu Malkeinu Musaf Amidah Yom Kippur Hearing Shofar blessing Kapores Break the fast traditions Confession: Al Chet Vidui Sigd Simchat Torah Sukkot Sitting in the sukkah Shaking the lulav & etrog Ushpizin How to do an Aliyah to the Torah Shalosh Regalim- Pilgrimage festivals Hanukkah Al Hanissim Why most Jews do not give gifts. Food traditions from around the world Story of Judith Tu B Shevat Brachot over fruit Evolution of Tu B Shevat holiday, Sephardic Appreciation of nature Brachot traditions for the seder Purim Blessing for hearing/reading the megillah Eradicating Haman s name, food traditions Real story of Hanukkah Honi, the old man and the emperor 4 Jewish New Years Scroll of Esther Pesach Bedikat Chametz- Searching for the last Chametz Mimouna, Food traditions at Seder Hallel- when do we say it. Israel Hatikvah Prayer for the state of Israel Yom Hashoah Empathy Remembering in Judaism Kindertransport Shavuot Why God choose Mt. Sinaimidrashim

11 Kitah Vav Mitzvot Kitah Zayin Hot Topics Rosh HaShanah How to Observe Yom Tovs. Compare and contrast with Shabbat Did Darth Vader Do Teshuvah? Yom Kippur Simchat Torah Sukkot Laws of fasting: what to wear, behavior/modesty, what is considered eating (brushing teeth) Dressing of Cohanim vs dressing of the Torah Building of the sukkah- Symbolic meanings of Lulav and Etrog Who has to fast? Why two Torah holidays? Hasidic Messages of Sukkot Hanukkah Kosher Hanukiyah- how the Hanukiyah evolved over time Celebrating Hanukkah in Christian world, Which way to light a rabbinic debate Tu B Shevat Environmental Issues in Israel- JNF Rabbinic responsa to climate change Purim 4 mitzvot of Purim: Mishloach manot, hearing the megillah, giving tzedakah, festive meal How much drinking is too much? Moderation in Judaism Shomeret haguf- keeping the body Pesach How to Kasher a kitchen for Pesach Slavery today and Jewish responsibility Yom HaShoah Saying Kaddish and Mourning Upstanders in the shoah Shavuot 10 commandments Being a sofer - how to write a Torah Scroll