"When two people sit and study Torah, the Divine Presence rests between
them."
Pirkei Avot
Our BAR/BAT MITZVAH PROGRAM and CONFIRMATION ACADEMY prepare children
for the adult world of Judaism. Students take responsibility for both
reading and comprehending the meaning of their Torah and Haftarah
portions and are challenged to consider their place as a contemporary
Jew in their family, their classroom and in the greater community.
Bar/Bat
Mitzvah Program
Students are being prepared for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah service throughout
their lower school training by learning prayers, the Torah and Haftarah
blessings, and leading grade level services. During the 9 months prior
to their individual event, they are assigned a tutor to work more
intensely with them on their Torah and Haftarah portions. Each of our
clergy meets with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family to design the Bar/Bat
mitzvah to meet each child’s needs and to work with the family to make
this event one that is special and comfortable for every member of the
family. In addition members of the clergy help the students plan their
Mitzvah project, and to write the D’var Torah. Families are also
invited to Bar/Bat Mitzvah education sessions to discuss the challenges
and excitement that go along with this important life cycle moment.
Confirmation Academy
 Students
in grades 7-10 attend school on Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30. The
first half hour is dedicated to a relaxed dinner and promoting a
community feeling among all the students. There are two 40 minute
classes each night. First is a “core curriculum” which is specific to
each grade level. The seventh grade curriculum finishes out the
“essential elements of Judaism” with a study of Anti Semitism and the
holocaust. The eighth through tenth grade core courses enable the
students to understand who we are in comparison to other religion’s and
other types of Jews in our world. These experiences enable our students
to “confirm” their Judaism at the Confirmation Ceremony which is held at
the end of tenth grade. Cantor Amy Lefko, Rabbi Peter Rigler and Rabbi
Lance Sussman all teach in our Confirmation Program.
The
Confirmation Academy’s Tuesday night program takes the following format:
6:30 –
7:00 p.m. Dinner
During this half hour there will be time
for both socializing and informal learning experiences.
7:00 –
7:45 p.m. Core Curriculum Classes
7:45 – 8:30 p.m.
Elective Classes
The Core
Curriculum Courses :
7th Grade
Holocaust/Anti-Semitism and
Preparing for Bar/Bat Mitzvah/Modern Hebrew
8th Grade Comparative
Religions
9th Grade Comparative
Judaism
10th Grade Tools for a
Successful Jewish Life
The
Elective Courses :
In the first semester the 8th, 9th, and 10th
grades will choose an elective In the second semester the 10th graders
will prepare for their confirmation service.
The elective curriculum complements the entire
Confirmation Academy curriculum and was carefully selected to ensure
that students have a balanced Jewish education. Topics include: Current
Eents through a Jewish Lens, What is Kabbalah?, Jewish Art, Civil Rights
& Judaism, Judaism and Sexuality, The “Hebrew Hammers” band, an Art
elective and God in the Movies.
Return to Religious School Page
|
