Top of pageAlef Bet Registration School Calendar Handbook
We’re looking forward to another fun and exciting year led by our Rabbi … Rabbi Cathy Felix. Our Sunday family services will be held from 10:30 to 11:00 every Sunday morning during the school year. Just as we did last year these services will emphasize student participation.
In addition to the regular services on Sunday we have six celebrations planned: Simchat Torah Dinner and Service (October 5), the Hanukkah party (December 9), the Tu B’Shvat Seder (January 27), the Purim Carnival (March 23), the Passover Model Seder (April 13), and the Lag B’Omer Picnic/Graduation on Sunday May 18. Everybody is welcome.
We have also scheduled three Religious School Friday evening Shabbat services. The K-2 class will help lead the service on Friday, February 1. The 4th and 5th grade classes will lead the service on Friday, March 1. The B’nai Mitzvah class will lead the service on Friday, May 2. Please plan on joining us for these services to support our students! Each of these services will be preceded by a class dinner, but as always … EVERYBODY is welcome!
Vowels:
Points:
Numbers:
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September 9 |
Sunday |
Sunday School begins for all classes |
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September 11 |
Tuesday |
Hebrew school begins |
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October 5 |
Friday |
Simchat Torah dinner and service |
|
October 10 |
Wednesday |
Third/Fourth Grade class will be meet on Wednesday this week. |
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November 11 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – NJEA Teacher’s Convention |
|
November 25 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Thanksgiving |
|
December 9 |
Sunday |
Hanukkah Party – (6th & B’nai Mitvah Help) 10:00 a.m.* |
|
December 23 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Holiday Recess |
|
December 25 |
Tuesday |
No Hebrew School – Holiday Recess |
|
December 30 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Holiday Recess |
|
January 1 |
Tuesday |
No Hebrew School – Holiday Recess |
|
January 23 |
Wednesday |
Third/Fourth Grade class will be meet on Wednesday this week. |
|
January 27 |
Sunday |
Tu B’Shvat Seder (K-2 / 3class and parents)– 10:00 a.m.* |
|
February 1 |
Friday |
K-2/3 Student Participation Shabbat |
|
February 17 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – President’s Day Break |
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February 20 |
Tuesday |
No Hebrew School – President’s Day Break |
|
March 1 |
Friday |
Grade 4/5 Student Participation Shabbat |
|
March 23 |
Sunday |
Purim Carnival/Service – 10:00 a.m.* |
|
April 13 |
Sunday |
Passover Model Seder (4rd & 5th grade Help)– 10:00* |
|
April 20 |
Sunday |
No Hebrew School – Passover I |
|
April 22 |
Tuesday |
No Hebrew School – Passover III |
|
April 27 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Passover VIII |
|
May 2 |
Friday |
B’nai Mitzvah Student Participation Shabbat |
|
May 18 |
Sunday |
Lag B’Omer Picnic / GRADUATION– 10:00 a.m.* |
|
May 20 |
Tuesday |
Last Day of Hebrew School |
|
May 27 |
Sunday |
No Sunday School – Memorial Day |
*
Please note:
These events are part of the religious curriculum and attendance is required.
2006 - 2007 JCSC School Class Schedule
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JCSC Religious School Parent Handbook
2007-2008, 5767-5768
The primary focus of our Religious School is to develop committed and knowledgeable Jewish citizens. We hope to provide our children with a positive Jewish identity in a supportive, nurturing environment. Since the school is a supplementary program, the family’s role in developing the child’s Judaism is vital. Parents are encouraged to participate in the child’s education directly. Numerous opportunities to do so exist in the home, the synagogue and the school. Through the combined efforts of the school and parents, we can ensure the development of children who are proud of their heritage and commitment to Judaism.
Our school is divided in two sections: Religious School and Hebrew School. The objective of the Religious School curriculum is to develop the student’s Jewish identity and knowledge. The Hebrew School’s objective is to provide the student with the skills necessary to take part in cultural and religious activities. Attendance in both sections of our school is required for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Religious School
The Religious School classes meet on most Sundays during the school year. In addition to class time, the students also get instruction during the brief Sunday morning service. The curriculum is a follows:
Kindergarten - Grade 2:
Jewish identification and awareness through symbols, stories, songs and projects. Introduction to Religious School basics including holidays, Jewish heroes, letter recognition and Hebrew words.
Grade 3: Bible, holidays and Israel
Grade 4: Bible, holidays, lifecycles and
history
Grade 5: History and the Holocaust
Grade 6: Israel, holidays and Lifecycles
Grade 7: Torah, Shabbat service (meanings and prayers), Israel
Hebrew School
The Hebrew School classes meet one time during the week (either Tuesday or Thursday) and on most Sundays during the school year. In addition to class time, the students also get instruction during the brief Sunday morning service. The curriculum is a follows:
Alef: Hebrew Alphabet, script,
introductory prayer, vocabulary
Bet: Basic blessings and
introduction to some songs and prayers
Gimmel: The Shabbat Service, concentrating
on the morning service
Dalet: The Shabbat Service,
concentrating on the Torah service; introduction to Bar/Bat Mitzvah
prayers
Sunday School Services
On most Sundays that school is in session, all children will
attend our service from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Please make sure
that you and your children arrive on time. We expect parents and we encourage
grandparents and siblings to attend in these services. The presence of family
members is the most positive support you can give your child.
How Parents Can Help
In addition to participating in our Sunday School services and
special family programs, there are many ways in which you, as a parent, can help
make your children’s Jewish education a meaningful experience. Ask your child
what happened in school. Ask specific questions, in order to avoid getting,
“Nothing!” In the lower grades, ask about songs they sang and what projects
they did. In the upper grades, ask what prayers they worked on. Help with
homework whenever possible. Encourage your child to attend school and view it
as a positive experience.
Is There School Today?
Our school policy is to close school if weather conditions make
travel hazardous. However, we do not cancel automatically if the public schools
close. This year you will be notified of school closings in the following
manner:
On any day that we close unexpectedly, we will have a message on the Temple’s answering machine. Call 383-4570 to hear messages.
Tzedakah Program
Tzedakah is a Hebrew word that is often translated as “charity.”
In reality, Tzedakah is much more than charity. Tzedakah means “justice,” and
it is one of the highest mitzvot in the Jewish tradition. The performance of
this mitzvah is an important part of our curriculum on all levels. Our students
are encouraged to contribute. At the end of the school year each class votes on
the charity they would like to help. Tzedakah is collected in the classrooms on
Sundays.
Attendance
Parents, as well as children, are encouraged to make a commitment to regular attendance. We have so little time and so much to teach that regular attendance is necessary to cover the material adequately the material adequately. Regular attendance also communicates to your child that the Jewish Center and its functions are an integral part of a Jewish family life.
Frequent absences create difficulties in keeping up with class
work and may lower the status of the Religious school in the child’s eyes.
Therefore, the Education Committee has adopted the following attendance policy:
If your child will be absent from either Religious or Hebrew
School, please call the center at 383-4570 and leave a message for the teacher.
If a child misses a class, it is his/her responsibility to make-up the missed
work in order to complete the semester.
If no call is made to the teacher and the student does not
make-up the missed homework and class work, this will be counted as an unexcused
absence. A child may not be promoted if he or she has more than 5 unexcused
absences during the year
At the discretion of the Education Committee, the Hebrew teacher
and the Rabbi, tutoring may be required either during the school year or over
the summer. As well, if at any time parents feel the need for additional
tutoring, this may be requested.
A record of your child’s school attendance will appear on the
progress reports that are mailed to parents in January and June.
If a family experiences extenuating circumstances regarding
attendance, please contact your child’s teacher immediately. The situation will
be presented to the Education Committee and handled accordingly.
Attending Services
In an effort to increase the student’s sense of understanding of
the Friday night and Saturday morning services, it is strongly suggested that
participation at these services become a part of your family’s weekly routine.
Learning Hebrew in class is very important, and learning to participate in the
service itself and knowing the melodies are also very important. Shabbat is a
good opportunity for families to be together. You can find the schedule of
family and Shabbat services and events in the school calendar.
A minimum of ten (10) Shabbat services during a Dalet student’s
school year must be attended. At least five (5) of these must be Saturday
morning services. Attendance at other Bar/Bat Mitzvah services counts toward
this requirement.
A minimum of twenty (20) Shabbat services during the year prior
to Bar/Bat Mitzvah must be attended. At least ten (10) of these must be
Saturday morning services. Attendance at other Bar/Bat Mitzvah services counts
toward this requirement.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
The Board of Directors of the Jewish Center of Sussex County has
approved the recommendations by the Education Committee regarding standards for
Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The requirements are as follows:
At least three (3) years of Religious and Hebrew School prior to
beginning Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies.
A minimum of twenty (20) Shabbat services during the year prior
to Bar/Bat Mitzvah must be attended. At least ten (10) of these must be
Saturday morning services. Attendance at other Bar/Bat Mitzvah services counts
toward this requirement.
Attendance at Sunday morning Bar/Bat Mitzvah class.
Students will be expected to lead part of the Friday evening and
Shabbat morning service and chant their Torah and Haftara portions. The Rabbi
will work with students to help them prepare.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah class will arrange a mitzvah project, either
within the synagogue or in the community.
Families will be expected to attend two (2) Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Family Education programs to be held in the fall and the spring.
The standards become effective for students entering Bar/Bat
Mitzvah preparation in September. If students do not meet these requirements,
their Bar/Bat Mitzvah might be delayed. Special situations might arise where
exceptions to these requirements will be necessary. The Rabbi and the Education
Committee will consider these on a case-by-case basis.
Late Enrollment
Students who are registered for Religious School will be placed in the appropriate age level Sunday School class. Hebrew School students will be placed in the class level closest to their abilities. Students who begin Hebrew School past the 3rd grade will be placed in the Alef class. Families who prefer not to have older children placed in younger class levels may make special arrangements for private tutoring. The Rabbi must approve all arrangements. It is understood that students who begin Hebrew School past the 3rd grade may not be ready for Bar/Bat Mitzvah at thirteen (13) years of age.
