Who We Are

Congregation B’nai Tikvah’s religious school recognizes that the best Jewish education integrates the child’s family throughout the educational process. I remember sitting next to a 79 year old education director at a conference years ago. Here was the voice of experience! He said that no matter how wonderful a school’s faculty may be, the parents are always the primary teachers of Judaism for their children. A successful school supports parents from where they are as parents and individuals to where they may want to go.

Ask most adults why they first joined a synagogue, and they will answer: to give their children a Jewish education. However, if you probe and ask the parents why they want to give their children a Jewish education, you hear a variety of answers. The most basic answer is: Jewish education is something parents value for themselves. For some adults, Judaism is a matter of identity. It is culture, solidarity with Israel, doing what is right, family memories- as well as religious practice. Sometimes religious practice is the least important aspect of being Jewish for an individual, but it is amazing how strong the other pulls of being Jewish are. One time my daughter asked me how atheists can consider themselves Jewish. My answer was, “Because they love their mothers”. Some adults look to a synagogue for the feeling of extended family, a sense of belonging. Other people have specific religious needs relating to Shabbat and holiday observance within a community. For some families, years of discussion precede synagogue affiliation. They are looking for support as they work through this process of how to be a Jewish family, particularly when one parent is not Jewish. In all these examples of families, here at B’nai Tikvah you are among people who share your ideas, needs and concerns. The religious school is part of a synagogue fabric from which to design your Jewish life.

 

Nuts and Bolts

Getting in touch
Office Phone: 925-933-5397
E-mail: robinwood@tikvah.org
School Registration
Other than preschool family education, families must be members of Congregation B’nai Tikvah to enroll children in religious school. Call the synagogue office for registration material. Registration material is being accepted now.
School Schedule

Sunday
Grades K - 7 9:00 to 11:15 AM (Early Session)
Grades 2 - 7 10:45 AM to 1:00 PM (Late Session)
 Early and Late sessions have a 30 minute overlap from 10:45 to 11:15 AM, when all students of each grade are together. School-wide holiday events or family education sessions are held Early Session.
Parents may select their preferred schedule. Choice of sessions provides for small class size and more individual attention.
Tuesday & Thursday – 4:00 to 5:30 PM
Wednesday – 4:00 to 5:30 PM (4th grade only)
Students in grades 3 - 7 attend either Tuesday or Thursday, grade 4 may also attend on Wednesday – select your preferred day. In most cases you will have your choice. Once classes begin, students can move from one day to the other to accommodate changing schedules. Please advise the school director of needed changes.
New families in grades 4 - 7
While Hebrew is taught beginning in kindergarten, it is taught more intensively (twice weekly) beginning in third grade. If you have a child new to Hebrew studies in grade 4 and up, please contact us, as soon as you can to discuss preparing your child for Hebrew studies. Your child will benefit from starting Hebrew over the summer. During the school year we offer semi-private Hebrew lessons on Sundays & midweek to help students catch up with their classmates.
If your child in at least grade 4 and new to B’nai Tikvah but not to Hebrew studies, call so we can listen to your child’s Hebrew and make sure he or she will fit in “skill-wise”.

 

Preschool Family Education

New starting this fall, preschool family workshops will be held Sunday mornings from 9:00am to 10:45 am. Most programs are holiday based. A few times during the year, preschool families will have their own program and then be invited to join school wide holiday celebrations.  The sessions have a wonderful haimish feel. A calendar  of sessions will be posted soon.
Madrichim ( Teen School Helpers)
Teens who have completed a year of Midrasha (our regional teen education program) can apply to work as a paid madrich at B’nai Tikvah. Teens should contact us to apply. Positions are filled with priority for returning madrichim and then on a first come, first serve basis.
Special Education
B’nai Tikvah is very fortunate to have generous contributions from our congregants to assist students needing learning accommodations. Since each student needs an individual plan, contact the school director as soon as possible so that a plan can be ready for the first day of school.
Religious School Committee
The Religious School Committee works to enrich the children’s school experience. Examples of areas of interest are major school events and curriculum input. Call committee chair Jane Martin for more information.
First Day of School – September 7
The first day of school is always a good time to catch up with friends, eat and meet new people.
Class Brunches – September 21
Get to know your children’s teachers, ask questions about the curriculum, meet class parents and eat.
Religious School Calendar
Please note: Dates of school events – or even sessions – may change during the year. Read all school monthly e-mails to keep up with changes.
Communication
Regular E-mail to school families: Monthly e-mails keep parents abreast of school events. Teachers send out bi-weekly e-mails to keep parents up-to-date on what children are learning as well as upcoming class activities. E-mail is also used to let parents know about volunteer opportunities throughout the year, particularly school wide holiday events.

In person meetings are always welcome. Please stop by and say hi