Religious School

Enroll Now for Religious School year 2020 - 2021

Click here for pricing and registration.

At Beit Haverim, our religious school helps children build a strong Jewish identity and commitment to Judaism. At every grade level, pre-K through Confirmation, we build community through study and practice of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Tzedakah (charitable giving), T'fillah (worship), and Torah.
 

Meet our Religious School Director: Shelli Hutchinson

Shelli’s  love of Jewish youth programming began in earnest in tenth grade as the Social Action Vice President at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, Michigan. In the late 80’s, while earning her BSW and MSW, teaching 1^st/2nd grade at a local synagogue was transformative. Her commitment to Jewish youth in the Reform movement spans over 30 years in Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, and California. As a religious educator for PK-12^th grades, Youth Director for elementary, middle and high school age students, Tikkun Olam and Special Program Coordinator, Social Action Committee Chair, Religious School PTO Volunteer and Mitzvah Day Chair she is an advocate for Jewish education. Her passion lies in creating intentional meaningful inclusive spaces where all children and their families, love feeling Jewish, live Jewish values, and flourish Jewishly. Shelli has 3 teenagers, her daughter is a sophomore in college, her youngest is a Junior in high school and her soon to be graduate was confirmed with Rabbi Berg at Beit Haverim, in June 2020. Please reach out to Shelli with any questions, comments or suggestions, as she is interested in expanding  youth education and programming and values collaboration and input.

Shelli uses she/her pronouns and can be reached easily at beithaverimeducation@gmail.com.

Our Integrative, Interactive Curriculum

COVID-19 UPDATE: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Religious School for the 2020-2021 school year will look a little different. Families will have the option to enroll their students in our online-only class or a hybrid class that will be more differentiated based on age. Please click here to contact Kim Kent if you would like to discuss which class best fits your child's needs.

Online-only Religious School Class:  All grade levels; not appropriate for students within one year of Bar/Bat Mitzvah

This multi-age class will be taught online on Sunday mornings for 45 minutes throughout the school year. The focus of the class will be a general understanding of Jewish history, culture, and traditions, especially on how these can be incorporated into our lives today. Students will be expected to do a small amount of work independently throughout the week, and the live class time will center on creating a deeper understanding of this independent work.

Prerequisites: To be eligible for this class, students must be reading at least at a second grade level and cannot be within one year of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. 

Hybrid Religious School Classes: 

These classes will start online in September. When state metrics are met to allow in-person instruction, we will transition to the classroom. Classes are taught by our trained religious school teachers and are geared for your child's instructional level. Students will meet Sunday afternoons, both for online and in-person instruction.

Foundations of Judaism I:   K - 3rd grade
This class focuses on the idea of Torah and Shabbat; basic Hebrew and decoding; and study of prayers. Special focus will be on holidays and Jewish celebrations.
Prerequisites: Students should be able to participate in solo and group activities ranging from 10-20 minutes and follow instructions from teachers. No previous religious school experience is required or expected.

Foundations of Judaism II:   3rd - 5th grade
In this class, we examine the rhythms of the Jewish calendar, holidays, and practices throughout the course of the year. We explore what it means to "be Jewish" in the context of family, history, personal practice, heritage, and the wider world, including concepts such at tzedakah, tikkun olam, and Torah. 
Prerequisites: Students should be able to read and write comfortably and should be able to have a conversation with adults and peers for 10 to 15 minutes. Previous experience with Judaism is required, and it is helpful for students to have at least one year of previous formal religious education.

Pre-B'nai Mitzvah Class:   5th - 8th grade
In this class, we deepen and expand upon topics related to traditional and cultural Judaism, current affairs, Jewish literature, the Tanach, Israel, and WWII. We explore Judaism in all its aspects, and our class is unit-based, depending on the year and opportunities in the community. We respect our space as sacred and safe. In the past, we have focused on Jewish migration from Eastern Europe to North America, leadership through the ages, Midrash (Jewish tales that fill in "gaps" in the Torah), the Enlightenment and Holocaust, and Prophets. Our learning is discussion-based, with multiple opportunities for creative expression -- including art and writing -- and field trips. We are leaders and ambassadors in the Beit Haverim community, and as such, the students are expected to act accordingly. 
Prerequisites: Students should have at least one year of structured religious school education and be familiar with Jewish holidays, rituals, and major stories and figures in the Torah. Students need the ability to listen and share during discussions, read chapter books, and take basic notes. Students need the maturity to discuss sensitive topics with compassion and must be able to focus for 40 minutes.

Confirmation Class:   Post B'nai Mitzvah

This Jewish enrichment class for post-B’nai Mitzvah students is led by Rabbi Berg.

Adult Studies: While students are in class, parents often meet in the Fireside Room for bagel chat, learning opportunities, and social time.

Religious School meets on Sundays from 2:30 – 5:00pm.

See calendar for details on school dates and events.

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