Temple Beth Shalom is well known for its excellent Religious School, which has around 200 students from Kindergarten through grade 12. Classes meet on Sunday mornings for grades K-7 from 9:30am to 11:30am and Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8pm for grades 4-12.  For more information about our program please email Tracey Greenberg at tgreenberg@annapolistemple.org. 

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Religious School Calendar 2019-2020

2019-20 Religious School Immunization Form

2019-20 Religious School Paper Registration Form 

Madrichim Registration Form

In order to enroll in Religious School, your family needs to be a member of Temple Beth Shalom.

If you register late, tuition is not pro-rated, unless you have relocated to the area. 

Makhela (student chorus) is open to students in grades 2-7. Makhela regularly participates at Friday night services and occasionally performs for other special programs and venues. Makhela is a fun and rewarding activity, and is now recruiting for new and returning members!

Mission of Temple Beth Shalom Religious School

The Religious School of Temple Beth Shalom seeks to provide a Jewish education to students from kindergarten through high school, which will foster knowledge of Reform Judaism and of Jewish traditions; understanding and love of Torah; familiarity with the Hebrew language; a strong sense of identity with Israel and the Jewish community; and a solid foundation for a lifelong commitment to practicing and studying Judaism and the teachings of the Torah.

Outcomes:

• The ability to decode Hebrew and to translate root words found in prayers and daily life.
• The ability to participate in and understand the structure and liturgy of the Shabbat service and other worship services (in English and Hebrew).
• An understanding of how Reform and traditional Judaism consider issues of ethics and values.
• Knowledge of the stories and teachings of the Torah, and appreciation for its significance in Judaism.
• Knowledge of the history of the Jewish people from ancient to modern times.
• Knowledge of, and a strong connection with, the land, people and history of Israel.

Primary Program (Kindergarten–Grade 3):

The Primary Program provides an introduction to Temple Beth Shalom and to Judaism on Sunday mornings. Students learn key concepts related to Torah, holidays, the synagogue, mitzvot, and everyday Jewish life through multisensory and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Although the formal Hebrew curriculum does not begin until Grade 4, students are also exposed to the Aleph Bet beginning in kindergarten and will learn all their letters and vowels by the end of Grade 3.

Special activities include music, school-wide assemblies and activities. Each grade will participate in a Friday Night Shabbat Family Service once during the year as well as a grade-specific Mishpacha (Family) Education Program. Through our Primary Program, students will receive a solid foundation for future learning and foster a strong sense of Jewish identity within the Jewish community.

Intermediate Program (Grades 4–7):

The Intermediate Program at Temple Beth Shalom continues the Jewish journey of our middle grade students on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Students study Torah (Bible), Jewish values, life cycle events, Jewish history, and Israel. Grade 4 also begins the formal study of Hebrew prayer, so that each student is prepared for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and further participation in Jewish ritual life. Special activities include t’fillot (prayer) on Sunday mornings and school-wide assemblies and activities.

Each grade will participate in a Friday Night Shabbat Family Service once during the year as well as a grade-specific Mishpacha (Family) Education Program.

We also encourage our Grade 4–7 students to attend several Shabbat and holiday services throughout the school year, so that students are prepared to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Upper School Program (Grades 8–12):

Our Upper School Program recognizes that as young Jewish adults, our oldest students need opportunities to discover what it means to live a Jewish life post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Through a variety of chugim (electives) held Wednesday evenings, students may select classes that speaks to their personal interests and enrich their understanding of Judaism. Chugim change each semester, but past classes have included Jewish cooking, Jewish film, Current Event/Hot Topics, History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, and Famous Jewish Celebrities.

Our 10^th Grade Students also participate in Confirmation, an experience unique to the Religious School. Taught in alternate weeks, students discuss contemporary issues related to Reform

Judaism through engagement with concepts drawn from articles and ancient texts. Confirmation culminates with a Friday night dinner and ceremony in the spring.

All Grades 8–12 students are also invited to join our Madrichim program. A great leadership opportunity for our oldest students, madrichim assist our teachers in K–7 classrooms on Sunday mornings.

For more information email tgreenberg@annapolistemple.org.