Welcome To Temple Beth El!

Course Descriptions

Spring 2024 Minimester

3 & 4 Grade Core Courses

Torah & Values Part 2	Sometimes we find ourselves just floating through the day–getting stressed, or bored, or just waiting for the school day to end. We are sometimes in search of ways to add new meaning to our day. Incorporating Jewish practice – especially regarding holiness and recognizing what is special in our life – is one of them. This class helps do just that.
T’fillah & Rituals Part 2	You can walk into any synagogue in the world and with the right understanding of Jewish prayer, you can feel somewhat comfortable. This class will you help you understand the role such community plays in prayer, and how to feel comfortable as you navigate the prayerbook (and supporting observances) further. Some specific prayers that we will focus on are: Lecha Dodi, Shalom Aleichem, and Adon Olam.
Jewish Heritage Part 2	As the conversation around covenant continues, this class will focus on engaging with someone in the classroom that feels differently than you. You will learn how to dialogue: think, pair, and share, all while strengthening your understanding of Jewish tradition and your jewish identity.
Shabbat & Holidays	Whether or not you’ve celebrated Jewish holidays before (including Shabbat), this will be a great introduction into the core of each one. This module covers Passover, Shavuot, Simchat Torah, Sukkot, Tu BiShevat, and Purim.

5 & 6 Grade Core Courses

Torah & Values Part 2	Description Coming Soon!
T’fillah & Rituals Part 2	Sometimes we just look around in synagogue and copy what everyone else is doing. But you don’t have to do that–and you don’t have to do that at home, either. Students in this class will not only explore the choreography of the opening verses of the Torah service, the end of the Torah service, and havdalah, but they will master reciting it as well.
Jewish Heritage Part 2	Central to unpacking one’s Jewish heritage is understanding that not only are there varying opinions throughout Jewish tradition, but there are a variety of diverse interpretations, too. In fact, the beauty of religious dialogue is that one opinion does not invalidate the other. This class will explore a wealth of opinions while helping you form your own.
Shabbat & Holidays	Description coming soon!

7 & 8 Grade Core Courses

7/8th Grade Core Module 3	Central to forging your own path is an understanding of Jewish pluralism. The path to Jewish adulthood never ends and, in fact, bounces all over the place. This class will help you map your journey even further.
Shabbat & Holidays	Description Coming Soon!

3-5 Grade Elective Courses

Jews in Motion	Each class has three parts: (1) Jewish content exploration, (2) physical game play, and (3) process/synthesis of the kinetic learning and the intellectualization of the content. Sometimes we just play, and sometimes we play and discuss. But either way, we always learn. The games we will play during this series are: Flipcup, Four Square, Blob Tag, and Sharks and Minnows.
Tikkun Olam (Social Justice)	Part of our responsibility as a “light unto the nations” is to repair our broken world. During this class, you will learn about the habits, attitudes and attributes of individuals that seek to make those positive changes. We hope that they will inspire you to do the same!
Visual Arts	Some pray with your lips and others pray with their hands. This class explores art as a meaningful alternative way to pray. This will also be a good opportunity for you to build some appreciation of Hebrew letters and words through calligraphy.
Yisrael HaYom	Description coming soon!

6-8 Grade Elective Courses

B.Mitzvah Part 2	A B.Mitzvah journey without a “project” sometimes seems empty. The journey should not only be about learning, but about how you get to put your own stamp on it. What hands-on ways will you leave the world in a better place?
Performing Arts (2 minimester Creation Course)	Description Coming Soon!
Jews in Motion	Each class has three parts: (1) Jewish content exploration, (2) physical game play, and (3) process/synthesis of the kinetic learning and the intellectualization of the content. Sometimes we just play, and sometimes we play and discuss. But either way, we always learn. This class takes this pattern to the next level by delving deeper into the themes that make up the core of how we should navigate our world as Jews and upright human beings. And as a second part to the previous module (though still a standalone), we will dig into the games and the learning concepts that much deeper. The games we will play during this series are: Ultimate Frisbee, Capture the Flag, Floor Hockey, Soccer, Dizzybat, Dodgeball, Tug of War, and Newcombe.
Tikkun Olam (Social Justice)	The path of Jewish social justice requires that we explore the social and ethical challenges of global issues as they are experienced through multiple Jewish lenses in Israel. This exploration will also help you understand how Jewish laws and customs can help address modern, pressing issues.
Visual Arts	Jewish ritual need not be boring and devoid of artistic expression. During this class you will make ritual objects for Shabbat and Havdalah–your involvement in this class will give meaning to hiddur mitzvah: the beautification of a commandment.
Yisrael YaHom	Description coming soon!