Grades K-7

BaDerech:
On Our Jewish Path

BaDerech, meaning on our path, will engage students in grades K–5 in learning about the Jewish calendar year through specific chugim, modalities, including visual arts, science & technology, performing arts, virtual cooking and book club. The program will include weekly two hour-long sessions. In addition to the in-person sessions we offer only a few virtual modality sessions. As we leave the hard times of the pandemic, we encourage families to sign up for the in-person sessions. In addition to BaDerech we are excited to continue to offer the BaBayit program as a supplement. 

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

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

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 will attend BaDerech learning on Sunday morning for a two hour session in person. During the first hour, students will engage in learning about Jewish holidays and rituals, based in Torah text. In addition, they will participate in music, as well as Hebrew Through Movement, during which students will learn simple Hebrew vocabulary by responding through action to words instructing them to sit, walk, etc. For the second hour, students will choose an elective from a variety of options, including visual arts, STEM, performing arts and book club. 

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

Grades 4–5 & Hebrew

Students in grades 4–5 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. We offer an hour and a half for weekly sessions and thirty minutes for T’filah. In addition, all students in grades 4–5 participating in BaDerech are required to enroll in our B’Mitzvah Hebrew program. 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.

Hebrew
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 program 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
Dr. Judy Avnery

Day School

TBE and local Jewish day schools share the belief that relationships and community are central to living a joyful, fulfilling Jewish life. Day School studentes in 6th and 7th grade are required to join B’Yachad. School and synagogue are extensions of each other.

The Rashi School

MetroWest Jewish Day School (MWJDS)

Gann Academy

Contact
Rabbi Rachel Saphire

B’Yachad 

B’Yachad (together), TBE’s 6th and 7th grade learning program, is an interactive, multidisciplinary, engaging program for all 6th and 7th grade learners that includes elements of both formal and informal learning. Following the success of our BaDerech program and the myriad creative opportunities available through our innovative teen program (Havayah), our B’Yachad curriculum includes more opportunities for creative expression both in the classroom and in the process of becoming B’Mitzvah.  An important component of the B’Yachad program is our Shul-In which is an integral part of the curriculum. The informal setting provides opportunities to build community within B’Yachad through experiential learning which strengthens and develops the bonds between peers and faculty. We will share additional details regarding the Shabbaton later in the summer.

Contact
Dr. Judy Avnery

Kesher & Ma’asim Tovim 

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  peer-to-peer discussions facilitated by our dedicated staff. As they prepare to become b’mitzvah, students participate in tikkun olam, repairing our world.

We are very proud of our Maasim Tovim volunteer program that connects our students with one of our partner organizations for a long-term volunteer commitment. We know our students are eager to put their mark on making the world a better place. We are working tirelessly with our partner organizations to find out if and when they will reopen their doors to in-person volunteers. In addition, we are looking for our students to volunteer by engaging and supporting TBE causes throughout the year. We are committed to creating opportunities for students to volunteer in the coming year, even as we recognize that circumstances may require new approaches to engaging students in volunteering.

Contact

TBD

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
Cantor Shanna Zell
Dr. Judy Avner