Religious School

A Jewish education is one of the most precious gifts you will give your child.  From Judaism, they will gain faith to sustain them in times of trouble; morals and values to guide their decision making and roots in an ancient tradition which teaches them to see the world as it could be – not as it is.  Beth Chaim is transforming the way people experience Jewish life and learning as our school cultivates an on-going exploration of Judaism as a powerful vision for living a life of meaning.

Students in our school build close relationships with gifted teachers.  Our classroom time is filled with lively discussions, creative projects and engaging activities as our students use a combination of 21st century skills (teamwork, collaborative learning, information synthesis, creative thinking) to explore, learn and experience their ancient and rich Jewish heritage.  

The goal of Jewish education at Beth Chaim is for all to experience fully the values of Jewish life and ideas and claim their Jewish heritage with joy.

• Jewish educational experiences at Beth Chaim will be anchored in caring, purposeful relationships.
• Learning will seek to answer the questions, challenges and meaning of everyday life.
• Classes are structure to enable individuals to construct their own meaning through inquiry, problem solving and discovery.
• Learning is content-rich and accessible.
• Learning is designed to lead to action; our students will lead prayers from the bima, participate in congregational programming and use their Jewish leadership skills to make positive changes in the world.
• Through the lenses of equity and diversity, students will be exposed to a wide range of Jewish thoughts, beliefs and practices, all designed to give them the skills to make informed choices about leading a Jewish life.

• Jewish education, like Jewish living, can no longer be “one size fits all.” Teens need the opportunity to explore all areas of Jewish practice.
• As Jewish adults, teens should be offered the opportunity to participate in the life of the congregation through committees, volunteering and social justice work.
• Teens are in charge of their Jewish experiences and must have the power to curate their own experiences
• The congregation must elevate the vision and voices of our teens, recognizing that they are our Jewish present as well as our future leaders.

Our Jewish Journeys Program allows teens, from 7th – 10th grade, to choose from multiple short-term options designed to model multiple entry points to Jewish practice. Teens will earn “points” for activities (both within and outside of Beth Chaim) which will “count” toward Confirmation/Recognition occurring at the end of 10th grade.

Each “year” will begin with 2-4 weeks of classes with clergy and education staff. During this time, students will form relationships with each other and our clergy and staff, learn about options for their Journey (including creating their own path) and map out their program for the remainder of the year. This program is open to ALL Jewishly-identified teens in the greater community.

The Beth Chaim Religious School provides an inclusive high-quality Jewish education for students from pre-kindergarten through high school, enabling them to establish a meaningful positive Jewish identity.  Our program is designed to foster an understanding of their Jewish heritage through instruction centered on Jewish beliefs, ritual, tradition and Hebrew language. We nurture a love of Torah and a kinship with the people of Israel.
Our goal is to help young people acquire both the desire and the knowledge to be lifelong learners and active participants in Jewish life.