Learning blessings for Sukkot

Reading Torah

Religious School Calendar

Religious School

Comprehensive Curriculum . Starting in pre-school and continuing through eighth grade, our progressive academic curriculum builds from year to year with lessons and activities focused on core topics: Torah, life-cycle events, holidays, Jewish history, rabbinic literature, worship, Hebrew, American Jewish history, comparative religion, comparative Judaism, Jewish values and Jewish culture. On Sundays, children enjoy classes in Jewish music, dance and art, as well as weekly worship services led by our rabbis; third through sixth graders also study on Wednesday afternoons. The integrated curriculum was shaped by our congregation to reflect and reinforce our values.

Unique Programs For Older Students. Our older students enjoy unique learning opportunities. Seventh grade Shabbatons offer four full-day sessions throughout the year that begin with Shabbat morning worship and continue with extensive exploration of a pre-determined topic during the afternoon. For ninth through twelfth graders, Jewish education continues on Sunday afternoons at B’yachad, the Dayton community’s combined high school program. In advance of their confirmation in tenth grade, students study with Rabbi Sofian and have the opportunity to visit the Religious Action Center in Washington, DC with Rabbi Bodney-Halasz.

Dedicated Faculty. Our teachers have years of experience in Jewish and secular education and our faculty often includes rabbinic students from Hebrew Union College and Israelis. Enthusiastic madrichim (assistants of high school age) add to the classroom dynamic. Regional seminars and training programs enable our faculty to build their knowledge of teaching and Judaics. For students who need a slower approach or more personalized attention to understand the very basics of Judaism, specialists are available.

Quality Resources . Temple Israel offers a full library and Learning Resource Center, complete with literary, audio, video and computer educational tools. Wireless internet throughout the building and mobile computer stations add to our teaching capabilities.

An Emphasis On Family. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to join in our festive holiday celebrations, attend our annual picnics and parties, volunteer in the classroom or on our Religious School committee, or worship with our students during Sunday morning services. While children are in class, adults can enjoy a schmooze and a schmear at our volunteer-run Kibbitz Café; participate in a variety of adult education classes to learn Torah or study modern and ancient Hebrew; or attend the Brotherhood’s Ryterband Brunch Series, featuring presenters from the regional Jewish community. Our free, professionally-staffed child care program is the perfect play place for infants and toddlers on Sunday mornings.