Grades K-7

BaBayit:
The Jewish Time Experience

BaBayit, meaning in the home, will inspire families and individuals (of all ages, life stages, sizes and structures) to take a deep dive into bringing the Jewish holidays into their homes while connecting deeply with other families and individuals. The program will be staffed by TBE’s clergy and full-time learning team and will be linked to our community holiday celebrations. BaBayit will include Zoom meetings, home observance, family activities, dinner discussions, and the option for distanced, in-person gatherings.

Learn more

Contact
Hannah Kearney

BaDerech:
On Our Jewish Path

BaDerech, meaning on our path, will engage students in grades K–7 in learning about the Jewish calendar year through specific chugim, modalities, including visual arts, science & technology, performing arts, cooking and book club. The program will include weekly hour-long sessions and opportunities to connect further for “studio” time when students can work on their craft or project. Students can choose to participate in either BaDerech or BaBayit, or they can sign up for both!

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

Parent Involvement

Would you like to play an active role in shaping the family experience at Temple Beth Elohim? If so, the No’ar (Youth) Committee might be for you. The No’ar Committee focused on the needs of families with children in grades K-7.

As a member of the No’ar Committee, you will partner with Dr. Judy Avnery and a dedicated group of parents to develop programming to strengthen the TBE family community.

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

Grades K–3

Students in grades K-3 participating in BaDerech can choose one of the following modalities (Chugim): Cooking, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Book Club.  The sessions will include community building, experiential learning, and 10–15 minutes of Hebrew Through Movement, during which students will learn simple Hebrew vocabulary by responding through action to words instructing them to sit, walk, etc.  Please note that some modalities are not offered to our youngest students for safety reasons and that the grade groupings are different for some modalities because of the developmental needs of the students. In addition, some modalities may require adult or older sibling supervision.

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

Grades 4–6

Students in grades 4–6 participating in BaDerech will sign up for modalities designed to challenge our older students in meaningful and exciting ways that meet the developmental and the different learning styles of our students. In addition to cooking, performing arts, visual arts and book club, students in grade 4–6 can also sign up for STEM (Science & Technology), where they will engage in innovative learning experiences and navigate the Jewish year cycle through science, technology, engineering, math, and design thinking.

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

Hebrew

All students in grades 4–6 participating in either BaBayit or BaDerech are required to enroll in our B’Mitzvah Hebrew program. Our Hebrew program prepares each student to be comfortable with key components of prayer services and to empower them to lead the congregation in prayer when they become B’Mitzvah. 

The Hebrew program at TBE has two elements: small group learning and 1:1 learning. Students participate in a weekly Hebrew group session via Zoom for 30 minutes of fun, games, and activity-based instruction to introduce new content. Students also have a weekly 10-minute 1:1 session with their teacher to reinforce the content in a way that fits the needs of the student. 

Contact
Jessica Bram

Kesher

Students in 7th grade participating in either BaBayit or BaDerech are required to enroll in Kesher (connection), a values based community building program that meets once a week. Students participate in relevant gender-based, peer-to-peer discussions facilitated by our dedicated staff.

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

B’Mitzvah Prep

Students in 6th and 7th grade continue with B’Mitzvah tutoring and B’Mitzvah family programs. Any student in 6th or 7th grade will also be required to participate with their family in Shabbat morning services 8–10 times throughout the year. These 45–60 minute learning services will help all members of the family gain familiarity and comfort with the meaning of and participation in Shabbat liturgy to deepen the B’Mitzvah experience for all. Led by our dynamic Rabbinic Intern, Ryan Leszner, this will be a fun, engaging learning and prayer experience.

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery
Ryan Leszner

B’Mitzvah Resources

Resources for Students
Prayer and chanting resources
Learn blessings, practice chanting prayers, and listen to cantillation resources.

Resources for Parents
B’Mitzvah Manual 
From timeline to ceremony and celebration, our b’mitvah manual will answer many of your questions as you plan for your child’s b’mitzvah!

Contact
Kristine Potter
B’Mitzvah Coordinator