Temple Tikvah Religious School
Temple Tikvah’s Religious School creates positive Jewish memories that our students and parents cherish for life. Our school provides Hebrew instruction and develops student mastery of Jewish history, prayer, and observance of customs and rituals, all while encouraging students to live ethically and perform mitzvot and acts of Tikkun Olam.
We nurture a connection, commitment, and solidarity with Israel.
Weekly Class Schedules
SUNDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:30am - 12:00pm
- All students meet in our Sanctuary for school-wide morning Tefillah with Rabbi Sheinberg and musical accompaniment.
- Classroom time focuses on age-appropriate study where students lean about Israel, life cycle events, Jewish values, the origin and meaning of prayers, and in the younger grades, the Hebrew aleph-bet.
- Classes meet with out song leader weekly to learn and sing Jewish songs relating to holidays, prayers, and culture.
- Each class has a "special" period that varies weekly. These can include book club with our educational director, acting out Biblical scenes, holiday-related art projects, and much more.
- Classes participate in special programs and assemblies throughout the year to celebrate Sukkot, Chanukah, T'Bishvat, Purim, Passover, and other holidays.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
- All 2nd-7th grade students receive individual Hebrew instruction to enable students to learn at their own pace. This is normally done virtually, but in-person instruction can be arranged for students as needed.
- Each tutoring session is a private, one-on-one session between the student and their instructor.
- Tutoring sessions are 20 minutes each, twice a week during the school year.
- Hebrew tutoring is scheduled to accommodate the instructor's and student's schedules.
Additional Programs
FAMILY SERVICES
- Our monthly services are geared to families with children and are a wonderful way to establish and maintain community ties.
- Throughout the year, each grade will lead a family service, and we typically hold Shabbat community dinners before the start of these services.
KOL SIMKHA CHOIR
- Our Kol Simkha Youth Choir rehearses Sunday mornings at 9:00 am prior to the start of Religious School.
- The Choir sings at monthly family services and at community service events throughout the year.
- Previously, our Choir has performed at the Lakeville Estates Civic Association's Menorah Lighting ceremony, Cohen's Children's Hospital, and the Bristal Senior Living Facility.
YOUTH & FAMILY ACTIVITIES
- 5-6 times throughout the year, there will be after school youth events that focus on fun learning activities. These activities vary from year-to-year but often revolve around food (i.e making hamentaschen, challah, or gingerbread Chanukah houses), fun and games (i.e Jewish game shows), or community service (i.e putting together care packages for seniors and homeless shelters, planting flowers and beautification at a local community center).
- We host several family-oriented Havdalah services throughout the year for our families. These often incorporate a fun family activity and dinner.
- We periodically sponsor family day-trips to local sites of interest to the Jewish community.
Preparing to become a Bet Mitzvah
It is understood that every child has unique abilities. The Rabbi and Cantor will tailor each student’s part in the worship service accordingly. Students and parents will participate in a Bet Mitzvah orientation and given their Bet Mitzvah dates in the 5th grade, and will begin preparing for their event approximately 6 months prior to the ceremony. Generally, the Bet Mitzvah will:
- Chant the V’ahavta, the blessings before and after Torah and Haftarah portions;
- Chant from the Torah; Chant from the Haftarah;
- Chant selected prayers from Mishkan T’filah;
- Read and comprehend the English translation of the Torah and Haftarah portions, and master the English readings in Mishkan T’filah;
- Prepare and deliver a D’var Torah, a personal interpretation teaching the congregation a lesson from the Torah portion.
POST BET MITZVAH
Our program for eighth- through twelfth-grade students focuses on maintaining students’ connection to Judaism and living an ethical life.
Students join Rabbi Sheinberg for group discussions, participate in community service activities and social action projects, and attend NFTY NAR events. Many of our teens earn community service credits by serving as madrichim, or student teachers, in our Religious School.
Confirmation occurs at the culmination of the tenth grade. Our High School-age students have the opportunity to participate in the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism’s (RAC) social action program in Washington, D.C.
PARENT CONNECTION
Temple Tikvah Religious School families help plan and participate in many events and support the school through an active PTA and Religious School Committee.
Parents volunteer their time to prepare and participate in school-wide holidays and Kollels – where parents and their children join together on a Sunday morning to study Jewish themes and to participate in scheduled family programs.
All parents are welcome to join our Religious School Committee, which meets at various times throughout the year on Sunday mornings during Religious School.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
We provide a Jewish learning experience for all children and offer support for students with learning challenges. Our staff is experienced in meeting the needs of children with special needs, and we provide push-in support, as needed.
Rabbi Sheinberg works individually with families of special needs students to provide a Bet Mitzvah experience appropriate for each student. Our children’s religious and spiritual education strives to meet the challenges of the 21st century by providing an enriching, supportive, and joyful atmosphere. At Temple Tikvah, we welcome and cherish your participation and involvement.
ENROLL YOUR CHILDREN TODAY FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR!
Please email your completed form to sharon@templetikvah.org
