 Beit HaShofar has developed a new weekday Children's Cheder (Hebrew/Religious School).
We have developed a more comprehensive children's education program, including a formalized bar/bat mitzvah program. Classes will be held Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 8pm, at the same time as our adult Torah study. By having our children's classes during the week, we are free from the restrictions of Shabbat which would prohibit the teachers from engaging in various activities such as writing, coloring and computer use.
Question: How much does the Hebrew School cost?
Answer: The fee has been introduced for two reasons:
One reason is to motivate the parents to help the students attend classes. Rarely do people pay for a class and not attend. By attaching a fee, it helps both parent and student to realize that this commitment is serious, important, and at a cost. In addition, by increasing the teaching/learning time to an hour and a half each week, the teachers will be able to spend a greater chunk of time weekly working with each student. This should be considered a value to the parents and therefore recognized. This monetary and contract commitment will raise the bar of the attendance.
The next reason for charging a fee is to eliminate running our cheder (school) on a shoe-string budget. . Because the classes are an hour and a half each week,, sufficient materials will be necessary in order to insure a high quality learning experience. This will include a diverse selection of learning materials geared toward a well-balanced Jewish education.
Hebrew/Religious School Cost:
|
Full Year |
Per Quarter |
| 1st Student |
$336 |
$85 |
2nd Student
|
$280 |
$70 |
| 3rd Student |
$268 |
$67 |
| 4th Student, etc |
$248 |
$62
|
Once you have registered your child(ren), all fees will be billed quarterly (October 15th, December 15th, February 15th, and April 15th) . When we have received your registration, we will send you the quarterly bill for October. Once you have paid for October, your child will officially be enrolled and able to attend classes. Participation will be based on receipt of quarterly tuition. If we do not receive payment, your child cannot attend classes. If you need financial assistance, please contact the office at 206.246.5345. Classes will be held Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8pm. and run from October through June.
Question: What is the planned day and time for the Hebrew/Religious School?
Answer: The scheduled day and time will be Tuesday evenings from 6:30pm-8pm. This will coincide with the Torah class for adults. Parents and students will be able to learn in separate locations on the synagogue grounds and minimize extra trips to the shul for classes.
Question: What will the learning environment look like in the new Hebrew/Religious School?
Answer: There will be two levels of student body:
Shoreshim (Roots) Ages 6-10 yrs.
Ohrot Torah (Lights of the Torah) 11-12 yrs. (Bar/Bat Mitzvah /Avraham class)
Question: What kind of material will be taught in these classes?
Answer: Each track is different but builds to the next level.
Shoreshim - (Roots - ages 6-10)
This class will be taught in a lively and interactive fashion, allowing the children to be exposed to a few different topic areas each week to build their knowledge and understanding. The goals of this class are:
- to provide an overview of the Tenakh, helping children to become familiar with biblical books, people, and the parashot on a level to which they can relate
- to develop a knowledge and love of the Jewish holidays, ceremonies, and traditions
- to learn basic Hebrew (block letters, nikkud, reading, vocabulary)
- to infuse the berachot(blessings) into the daily lives of the children through practice and by showing their meaning and value
- to teach the middot (character traits) that will help them to live ethical lives, based on Pirkei Avot, stories and other teaching of our rabbis, and teachings of Messiah Yeshua through the Besorot(Gospels)
- to give better understanding about ancient Yisrael and modern day Yisrael through activities and reading
Ohrot Torah (Lights of the Torah - ages 11-12 yrs). (Bar/Bat Mitzvah/Avraham class)
- greater understanding of prayer and liturgy
- Jewish history
- Torah and Haftarah cantillation
- basic Judaism concepts
- a deeper look into customs, minhag and ethics
- final project incorporating student's learning
- study of the book of Mattitayahu
- distinct learning tracts for boys and girls
- student graduates from this level upon having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah/Avraham
 Question: Where will the classes be held for the youth?
Answer: They will be held at the newly refurbished and dedicated Rabbi Lichtenstein Guest House/Cheder on the main level. The new Cheder will provide a more spacious and inspirational learning environment for the youth.
Question: When do classes begin?
Answer: Classes begin Tuesday, October 28th at 6:30pm. Please plan to arrive at least 5 minutes earlier to check in your child at the Cheder and please plan to promptly pick them at 8pm at the Cheder.
|
Education 
