|
|
At Congregation Or Ami, we believe that Jewish learning should nurture our students and leave them with .jpg) a love of Judaism, a love of their synagogue Congregation Or Ami, and an understanding and appreciation for why Judaism and Or Ami are worthy of their love. We seek to foster within each child the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed:
- To participate comfortably in Shabbat and Holy Day services;
- To act ethically in daily life based on Jewish values;
- To observe Jewish rituals at home and in the synagogue in meaningful ways; and
- To appreciate the centuries of Jewish history, literature and civilization contributing to the strength and survival of the Jewish people and Israel.
|
Kesher meets for Judaica as follows:
- K through grade 2 meets weekly, on Wednesdays, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
- Depending on enrollment, 3rd and 4thgrade may be combined, allowing you to choose a Judaica class on either Monday from 4:00-6:00 pm or Wednesday from 4:00-6:00 pm.
- Depending on enrollment, 5th and 6thgrade Judaica classes will be offered on both Monday and Wednesday from 4:00-6:00 pm, allowing you to choose either day.
- For information on grades 7 - 11 Wednesday classes, please follow this link.
Kesher meets for Hebrew as follows: - All 4th to 6th grade students meet for one hour per week in small groups of 5-7 students per class.
- Hebrew classes are being offered on Mondays (4:00-6:00 pm), Tuesdays (4:00-7:00 pm) and Thursdays (4:00-7:00 pm)
- Private Hebrew tutoring is optional. Please contact our Educator, Julia Weisz, for more information.
|
|
Julia Weisz is Congregation Or Ami's Rabbinic Intern and Educator. Julia was born in Tucson, Arizona and spent most of her young adult life in Dallas, Texas. She recieved her Master's of Education in 2009 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Julia will become an ordained Rabbi in May 2011. When Julia was asked what excites her about working at Or Ami she replied:
From the moment I stepped on the bima during High Holy Days last year, I fell in love with Or Ami. The congregants and clergy here have built a warm and supportive community. Meeting and working with this group of learners is inspiring. The students of both the Kesher and Mishpacha education programs are enthusiastic and driven. I cannot wait to continue teaching them and learning from them. You may contact Julia by emailing Julia@orami.org
|
|
Why My Three Children Love Going to Religious School
By Caryl Kaplan
For me, "being Jewish" IS mostly about heritage and family traditions. Let's just say that I HATED going to Religious School so much that I debated whether or not to make my children suffer through it as I did, or tutor them for Bar Mitzvah and let them learn about Judaica and the holidays through our family experiences and traditions at home.
Being a member of Or Ami has drastically changed my opinion. All three of my children LOVE going to Religious School and never complain about it. As a matter of fact they get angry with me. If we have other plans and they have to miss it! Let me also add that my husband, Gary and I are even enjoying learning together with them.
When asked, "What do you like about Religious School,” my children responded:
Jordan (5th grade):
“I LOVE my teacher. SHE IS THE BEST. She never says ‘sit down and use your book.’ She always uses games to teach us and it is lots of fun. I wish she could be my 5th grade teacher in public school."
Michael (3rd grade):
“I also LOVE my teacher. She is really nice. She teaches us a lot. She always reads to us and makes it interesting. It is never boring and I like the Pizza!"
Alyssa (Kindergarten):
“I LOVE Miss Patty. I wish she could come visit with us. I love having fun and making art projects. She even lets us color I love learning about the holidays.”
All three children responded that they like learning from Rabbi Paul Kipnes because he teaches them about being Jewish in a way that they can understand. They say he is fun and he does not confuse them. They also expressed that they love to sing with Cantor Doug at Hebrew School and listen to his music in our car.
At 6:15 p.m. (at the end of a very long day), my three children always come home enthusiastic and happy. They are always eager to share what they have learned in Religious School. WOW!!! It sure is a lot different now than it was then!!! "No Fair." We even love going to Family services and celebrating all of the holidays with Congregation Or Ami! Thank you for bringing us back home to Judaism.
|
|
