Congregation B'nai Israel's Religious School strives to provide student's with a well-rounded Hebrew and Jewish education. Programs are designed to offer an exciting, challenging, and creative-yet-traditional Jewish learning experience. Besides Hebrew, T'filah, Bible, History, and Holiday studies, special emphasis is put on the study of Tzedakah. To reinforce our students synagogue skills, all classes participate in our Sunday Morning Service, and each grade level helps lead a monthly family service.

• Primary (Kindergarten through First Grade)
• Intermediate (Second through Fourth Grades)
• Upper Grades (Fifth through Seventh Grades)
• Limud U'Masoret Post B'nai Mitzvah Program (Eighth through Tenth Grades)
• For More Information

Primary (Kindergarten through First Grade)

We seek to provide each child with a positive and joyous introduction to Jewish life. By the time the students complete the first grade, they will have been exposed to many basics of Jewish life--the holidays, rituals and customs, simple T'filah and Brachot, specific Jewish values, Bible stories, and some Hebrew vocabulary. Activities include art projects, songs, and a parent/student reading program.

Intermediate (Second through Fourth Grades)

Intermediate students engage in more in-depth study of Jewish Life Cycle events. Bible study covers stories from the Torah and looks at the history and moral teaching of the prophetic period. The meaning of holidays and Shabbat are covered, as are the basic practices of Conservative Judaism. Students receive an introduction to Hebrew in the second grade, and take part in a more intensive reading and comprehension program in the third and fourth grades, including expanded vocabulary and Hebrew phrases.

Upper Grades (Fifth through Seventh Grades)

Students become proficient in Hebrew and Siddur reading skills in the Upper Grades. Hebrew skills are expanded to include modern Hebrew vocabulary and basic conversation, grammar, and comprehension. Students learn to read and understand the meaning of select prayers, study Torah, and discuss Jewish concepts and dilemmas. By graduation, students should develop an understanding of the Jewish Life Cycle, a strong Jewish identity, and feel comfortable participating in services and becoming a part of the synagogue community.

Limud U'Masoret Post B'nai Mitzvah Program (Eighth through Tenth Grades)

The teen years are among the most important for physical and spiritual growth. The Limud U'Masoret program is designed to enhance the Jewish identity of our youth at this crucial time in their lives, offering creatively presented mini-courses in which the students can explore their Judaism and have maximum interaction with their peers. Eighth and ninth graders choose one class from each of two categories--academic and cultural. Tenth graders participate in a year-long Confirmation class with the Rabbi and choose an additional class from either category.

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For More Information

For more information about the Religious School Program, please e-mail us or call the synagogue office at 714-730-9693.