Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation

A Message from the Education Committee

Dear Parents,

Shalom!

We would like to extend a warm welcome to current and prospective students and their parents on behalf of our education staff and ourselves.

At Beth Chaverim, we are dedicated to providing strong Jewish education programs. Our goal is to enable our students to develop a positive Jewish identity, have a basic understanding of the Torah and Bible, Jewish life cycle events, Jewish celebrations and rituals, as well as a knowledge of their Jewish heritage and history, and understand and feel a commitment to Jewish ethics.

Our education programs, in addition to our Religious School, include an excellent Bar & Bat Mitzvah program, dynamic adult education classes, and an exciting High School program.

Please take a look at our programs and feel free to contact us with any questions regarding education at Beth Chaverim.

Educationally yours,

The Education Committee

Education at Beth Chaverim in 2009-10

Beth Chaverim Religious School has gotten off to a great start this year! Just take a look around and see. Many classes have been decorating their walls with art projects, check out the Pre-K, 1st, and 4th grade classes, just to name a few. Families have come together at Friday night services and gotten to know each other at Class Onegs. Students had a chance to shake a lulav and smell an estrog in the Sukkah during Sukkot. And everyone danced around the Torah to celebrate Simchas Torah. Grades 4-7 even had the chance to help roll out the Torah completely during this celebration. A treat for all!

A strong sense of community is starting to form and we hope to continue that through the school year. In December, classes learned about Chanukah and shared their families’ traditions. Individual classes celebrated Chanukah with a class party and a synagogue-wide dinner took place on December 13, 2009.

In January 2010 class services start. Please make every effort to attend these services with your family as they give you a chance to see what your children have been learning in Religious School. Shabbat services also provide a unique and warm environment for Jewish learning and living. Formal and informal learning take place and a sense of camaraderie develops among students, families, and teachers. Pre-K - 3rd grade class services take place as part of the Youth Service starting at 6:30 pm. 4th - 10th grade class services take place as part of the traditional Shabbat Services starting at 7:30 pm.

Many great activities are planned for the spring. We hope to show all our students a glimpse into Israeli life in April 2010 as we celebrate Israel Independence Day. Most classes will have a family program day that day during Religious School when parents will be invited to come and participate. Both these programs are funded through the Initiative in Congregational Education Grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. More details to follow.

We are looking for help in planning these events, as well as help with the Education Committee. If you are interested, please contact me.

I look forward to continuing the momentum and enthusiasm we have started this year.

Sharon Chiat, Education VP

Volunteers Needed to Teach Religious School in 2010-11 - Earn Tuition/Dues Credit and Make a Difference

We are looking for dedicated parents to join the team of teachers at the BCRC Religious School. Teaching opportunities exist in elementary and middle school grades (Hebrew and/or Judaics). Lesson plans will be provided and our teachers will offer guidance and support (prior teaching experience is not necessary). Teaching is a mitzvah, is personally rewarding, and a means to connect with Judaism in a whole new way, while at the same time giving back to our community. Please contact Sharon Chiat with any questions and to discuss benefits (teachers may receive credit toward tuition or dues).