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EDUCATION |
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EARLY
LEARNING CENTER (631)
421-5836 ext. 6 Opened in 1992, Temple Beth El’s Early Learning Center (ELC) prides itself on small class size, individualized attention and a strong sense of community. The school is open to children of all faiths and Temple membership is not required. The school offers classes for two, three and four-year olds as well as a Parent/Toddler program and “Baby & Me” classes. There is a “Summer Fun” program designed to specifically meet the needs of nursery age children. The ELC is registered with the N.Y.S. Department of Education and offers a complete program with caring, qualified teachers and a low student-staff ratio of 6:1. The programs for toddlers and babies focus on socialization and parenting skills and are offered in cycles throughout the year. The Slow Separation Class for two’s allows children to become secure in their new surroundings as they explore their environment. Classes for three and four year olds provide activities that help the children develop language skills, fine and gross motor skills, express their feelings and learn to share. Emphasis is placed on growing independence and self-esteem while providing solid exposure to academic readiness. Children learn through socialization, exploration, creative and cognitive growth. The children expand their environment through field trips and visits from community workers. The Temple Beth El ELC also offers Enrichment Classes in Science, Cooking with Books, Gymnastics and Music & Movement. These classes are run in ten-week cycles; fall, winter and spring. There is also a monthly Shabbat Enrichment Class. Beth Yeladim has very active PTA within the school. Parents meet regularly to discuss issues relevant to their children and workshops are held throughout the year. Family events are scheduled monthly and involve such activities as pizza parties, holiday celebrations and Shabbat services geared for very young children, ages 2 to 8. The ”Summer Fun” program offers a mini-day; runs for seven weeks with each week having its own special theme and planned activities. It is a wonderful first camp experience, in a scaled-to-size environment. Indoor and outdoor play are a part of each day as is water play with sprinklers and water tables. The children make use of an air-conditioned classroom, a newly refurbished indoor playroom and fenced playground complete with nature and picnic area. Parents provide a paper bag lunch and snack and juice are offered in the afternoon. Parents have the option of flexible scheduling; children can be enrolled for 3, 4 or 5 days, 4 weeks or 7 weeks. More Information For more information about the school, or to arrange a visit, please call or email us (number and address listed above). The director will be happy to meet with parents and discuss their needs for both ELC and the summer program. |
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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL (631) 421-5836 ReligiousSchool@tbeli.org Come be a Part of Our Family! Come be a Part of Our Faith! The Religious School at Temple Beth El is committed to helping students and their families become enthusiastic and competent active participants in Jewish communal life through Mitzvot (Commandments), Torah (Study), Avodah (Worship), and Gemilut Chasadim (Deeds of loving kindness). A love of Judaism, Jewish values, and a strong connection to the Jewish community are developed and nurtured through formal and informal Jewish education experiences. These experiences help families bring Judaism into their homes and show how Judaism plays a role in their lives. The Religious School strives to inspire in students and families a life long love of Jewish learning. The Religious School of Temple Beth El is a thirteen-year program that culminates in twelfth grade graduation. Students are encouraged to enter before the third grade. We have found that a stronger foundation in basic understanding of the holidays and prayers is enhanced when a child enters in Kindergarten. New students are consecrated during Simhat Torah Services and receive certificates and miniature Torahs. Part of the success of our program is the strong support and active participation of our parents in Family Education workshop and temple-wide events. Throughout the year, we offer opportunities for families to learn informally with their children in Family Education workshops. Programs center around Jewish holidays, rituals and life cycle events. Families join together by grade for an annual Shabbat dinner and service. In addition, our youth program plans and runs an annual Purim Carnival for the entire congregation. Temple Beth El also offers Junior Choir and Junior Congregation meetings with the Rabbi. Goal of the Religious School The goal of Jewish education within the Reform movement is the deepening of Jewish experience and knowledge for all liberal Jews in order to strengthen faith in God, love of Torah, and identification with the Jewish people through involvement in the Synagogue and participation in Jewish life. We believe that Judaism contains the answers to the challenges and questions confronting the human spirit, and that only a knowledgeable Jew can fully discover these answers. Primary Grades Curriculum Our curriculum for the primary years is built on the basis of concrete Jewish experience, relevant to the child’s life, upon which learning in later years can grow. Our aim in these first years is to instill a love for Judaism and to nourish the child’s own natural sources of curiosity. Parents are invited to join in a Family Education workshop once a year and are encouraged to volunteer to help during our many celebrations and learning events. We welcome and support partnership with our students’ parents. We encourage questions and are dedicated to the education of the whole family. |
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HEBREW HIGH SCHOOL 631-603-8740 or chhs@tbeli.org To address the sophisticated needs and continuing curiosity of our High School students, Temple Beth El has joined with Temple Beth David in Commack, Temple Beth Torah in Melville, and Temple Chaverim in Plainview to offer a unique Community Hebrew High School Program. By combining resources, we are able to offer a myriad of interesting and meaningful courses and develop a special leadership approach to Jewish education, all within an exciting social atmosphere for our students The Community Hebrew High School provides an opportunity for Jewish teens to continue their Jewish education in an academic and social environment. Our school gathers over 250 teenagers in grades 8 through 12 weekly for Jewish learning and socialization. CHHS meets on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., rotating to each of the participating temples for five to six weeks at a time. This year, students will be afforded the opportunity to study with their own rabbis and educators during “Home Weeks,” which will take place throughout the school year. CHHS classes begin at Temple Beth El on Monday, October 29, 2007. Check your synagogue calendar for the dates of your synagogue’s Home Weeks. 2007-2008 Schedule: Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Nov. 26, Dec. 3 - Temple Beth El Dec. 10, Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Jan. 28, Feb 4 - Temple Beth David: Feb. 11, Feb. 25, Mar. 3, Mar. 10, Mar. 31 - Temple Beth Torah: Apr. 7, Apr. 14, Apr. 28, May 5, May 12, May 19 (graduation) - Temple Chaverim:
And Save the date: November 16th-18th. - Annual CHHS Conclave at Camp Eisner - a highlight not to be missed.
Important Phone Numbers: Temple Beth David - (631) 499 – 0915 Temple Beth El - 631) 421 – 5835 Temple Beth Torah - (631) 643 – 1200 Temple Chaverim - (516) 367 – 6100 CHHS PROGRAMS BY GRADE GRADES 8 AND 9: CONFIRMATION PREP Eighth and ninth graders have the unique opportunity to choose electives for the first third of the school year. A varied selection of electives includes such topics as teen issues, current events in Israel, or comparing Hebrew prayers to lyrics in modern day music. For the last two thirds of the school year, our eighth and ninth graders will be participating in a program called Gesher L’Kesher. Gesher L’ Kesher is Hebrew for “a bridge to a connection.” It is a peer leadership program which creates caring, vibrant communities of learners. In Gesher L’ Kesher, the mitzvot, teachings, and values of Judaism are experienced and integrated into students’ lives. For 45 minutes, eighth and ninth graders meet with dynamic, committed teachers to discuss “the topic of the week.” All topics are considered from a Jewish perspective, employing Jewish text and traditions. During the next 45 minutes, carefully trained eleventh and twelfth graders conduct interactive learning experiences, such as focused games and role playing, for small groups of eighth and ninth graders. These learning experiences allow the students to synthesize and respond to the material they learned earlier. Of course, adult teachers will always be present to supervise. GRADE 10: CONFIRMATION Our 10th graders study with the senior rabbis from each of our four congregations. Each week, students discuss and debate topics ranging from Israel and the Middle East to abortion, euthanasia, or intermarriage. Their year of study culminates in our Confirmation ceremony on June 8, 2008, at Temple Chaverim. In order to be eligible for Confirmation, attendance is required at the Confirmation Conclave November 16th-18th, as well as the majority of classes throughout the year. GRADES 11 AND 12: MADRICHIM PROGRAM Our eleventh and twelfth graders choose between two different program options. The first option is our Madrichim (Guides) team for Gesher L’Kesher (see above). Madrichim learn to create and conduct learning experiences for eighth and ninth graders. Madrichim spend the first 45 minutes of each week with Temple Educators, gaining leadership and educational skills. During the next 45 minutes, pairs or triads of Madrichim employ their new skills with small groups of eighth and ninth grade students. This option requires a commitment of time and energy, dedication, and a desire to help and support other Jewish youth. Younger students look up to Madrichim as responsible role models. The second option uses "The Jewish Lens" as the course of study for the first half of the year, a program that uses the work of photographer Zion Ozeri as a stimulus for exploring Jewish values, identity, and tradition. Ozeri’s photographs capture the unity and diversity of the world’s Jewish community, reflecting values and traditions that have defined Jewish existence around the world for centuries. In analyzing and discussing Ozeri’s work, students make important links between the images, key Jewish values, and traditional texts. The second half of the year covers several themes including, but not limited to, Israel at 60, Holocaust and Resistance, and packing for college. |
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ADULT
EDUCATION CONTINUING EDUCATION Temple Beth El offers a variety of Continuing Education programs. Our Torah study group meets regularly at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings in the library or the Great Room. It is a "walk-in" program, and the group is always eager to welcome new participants. Refreshments are served. Our Adult Hebrew education course is currently completing its second year of study with our Cantor. It meets from 9:15 to 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Those wishing to join at this juncture should contact the Cantor. Some of our participants will be participating in adult b’nai mitzvah ceremony this spring, although this is not a requirement. Following this, the class will begin its next cycle. Through our partnership with J Learn, in October and November of 2007, we are offering a five-week program titled “The Saga of Abraham and Sarah: Core Issues of Jewish Identity. The class is on Thursdays: October 18 & 25 and November 1,8 and 15, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Renowned scholar and teacher Peter Pitzele uses the art of "Bibliodrama" to help participants experience the challenges and dilemmas of Biblical characters as we discover new meaning in this age old saga. Coming on January 26 will be "An Evening with Ruth Gruber", author of Haven. In 1944, Ms. Gruber, a foreign correspondent for The New York Herald Tribune, helped save a group of 1,000 Italian refugees from the Holocaust by finding them “safe haven” in upstate New York. Relive this historic sequence of events as Gruber describes this moving, dramatic journey. |
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AN AFFILIATE OF THE UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM Page Last Updated 09/21/2006 |
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