Religious School

Grades K-7
The mission of Beth Sholom’s Religious School is twofold: to provide high quality instruction in an atmosphere that encourages intellectual curiosity and nurtures a love for Judaism, and to help students develop strong and positive Jewish identities.

Blending the informal with the formal, our program focuses on Hebrew, Jewish history, Bible, life cycles, holidays, Jewish values and Israel through the use of ShalomLearning, an online Hebrew curriculum. Hebrew is taught for reading proficiency and tefillah (prayer) fluency. Our goal is for students to understand the prayers, and to feel comfortable and competent participating in services at Beth Sholom and in any other synagogue or service they might attend. The academic program is reinforced through Hebrew reading practice at home and regular attendance at Shabbat services.

Students attend on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hebrew Power Hour, a supplemental program led by Rabbi Hersh for students who wish to take advantage of additional Hebrew reading instruction in an informal way, is held on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. for students in grades 3 and above.

Confirmation
Beth Sholom’s Religious School continues after 7th grade with our three-year Confirmation Program. Confirmation-age students have the maturity and knowledge base to be able to integrate sophisticated information and process it with significant insight. The program helps prepare them to navigate the challenges of their teenage years and make independent, responsible Jewish choices.

Our curriculum includes Hebrew, Jewish ethics, Jewish history, Israel and Bible, and Jewish art, music and literature. Students are encouraged to participate in community projects.

Confirmation class is held on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rabbi’s study.