OUR MISSION Beth Tikvah Congregation’s Religious School seeks to provide a Jewish education to our students in concert with their parents. This education includes Jewish history, writings, Hebrew language, liturgy, practices, ritual, culture, values and beliefs. We strive to create an inclusive environment that promotes a positive Jewish identity, a means to connect to the Jewish people and a commitment to lifelong learning and Jewish practices.

                      2008-09 School Calendar                                            2008-09 Religious School Forms                      

                                            2008-09 Bible, Judaics, Hebrew, and Prayer Curriculum

                                                Newsletter from Beth Tikvah's Director of Education

Overview

• Primary Department pre-K through 3rd grade. Students meet during the early session on Sunday. 2nd and 3rd grade study also on Tuesday’s early session.
  
• Intermediate Department 4th grade meets during the early session on both Sundays and Tuesdays.  5th and 6th grade students meet during late session on Sunday and early session on Tuesday. 7th and 8th grade students meet during late session on both Sundays and Tuesdays.
  
• All classes include music, art, projects, field trips, Hebrew and prayer services.
  
• High School Department meets on Sundays and Tuesdays during the late session.
  
• Public High School credit for foreign language (Hebrew) is available and recognized by local school districts and the State of Illinois.
  
• Family Education Programs (link to Family Education – House of Study) for all grades
  
• A class for students with special needs meets on Sundays
  
• Parental involvement encouraged through religious school committee and sisterhood volunteer opportunities
  
• Milestone Celebrations: Consecration, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation and High School Graduation
  
• Youth Group Activities:
  
• Yearly weekend retreats for grades 5-12
  
• Registration >Registration Forms
  information available online
  
• Current year school calendar

• Pre-kindergarten students should be four by September 1st of current school year
  
• Emphasis on developing Jewish identity and a positive attitude toward Judaism
  
• Subject matter includes Jewish holidays, Bible stories, synagogue, Avodah (the work we do for God), G’milut Chasadim (acts of kindness), family and Jewish values.  
  
• Activities include storytelling, discussion, arts and crafts, dramatizations, singing, dancing, listening and watching to multimedia presentations and group games
  
• Weekly religious service
  
• Introduction to Hebrew
  
• Classes on Sunday mornings for all primary grades and also on Tuesday afternoons starting in second grade
  
• Consecration for kindergarten students and first-graders

• Curriculum includes Judaica and Jewish history, Hebrew as a living language and Biblical selections
  
• Continued emphasis on promoting Jewish identity
  
• Computers and special software available to enhance learning
  
• Weekly religious service
  
• Classes on Sundays and Tuesday afternoons/evenings
  
• In older grades, students are placed in Hebrew class by ability
  
• Youth group participation available from grade five and above
  
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah in grade seven or eight (see Milestone section)

• Curriculum includes Hebrew language through Biblical texts and liturgy, Jewish Philosophy, Israeli Culture and History, Ethics, Jewish Values, Hebrew Grammar and Contemporary Conversational Hebrew.
  
• Foreign language credit is recognized by local public high schools, school districts and the State of Illinois for students with good attendance and academic achievement.
  
• An alternative Program is provided for students who do not participate in the Hebrew Program.
  
• Discussion and activity groups that emphasize learning and socialization.
  
• Classes on Sundays and Tuesday evenings (late sessions)
  
• Confirmation in Grade 10
  
• Opportunities for leadership responsibilities
  
• Opportunities for volunteering (community service) or employment as Teacher’s Assistants.
  
• Graduation in Grade 12.

• Available to select students who are currently receiving special education services in secular school
  
• Curriculum includes Jewish life experiences
  
• Meets Sunday mornings
  
• Contact Director of Education for more information: 847-885-4545

1. There are two sessions Sunday mornings. Early (9:00-11:15) and Late (10:45-1:00).

Parental Involvement

Beth Tikvah Religious School is seeking education volunteers who will work with students in classroom activities on Sundays and/or Tuesdays.  

Please consider enriching your child’s educational experience by filling one or more of these roles!

• Room parents for each grade
  
• Staff for religious school office
  
• Sisterhood holiday programming volunteer during religious school hours
  
• Religious school committee member
  
• Education volunteer in the classroom

Sign up now to be a Parent Volunteer for Religious School.

Please call or e-mail me with any questions regarding Beth Tikvah’ s Religious – Hebrew School, at (847) 885-4545 or educator@beth-tikvah.org. I look forward to meeting with you and your child!
 
Rokki Parrinello
Director of Congregational Education