Hebrew & Religious School

**Hebrew and Sunday School Classes in Fall 2023**

The Education Program

Our Religious School is a Kindergarden through 7th grade program aimed at preparing kids for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, fostering Jewish identity, and building community. In addition to learning Hebrew, Jewish history, and Torah, students develop a connection to their faith as they celebrate holidays and participate in customs with their friends.

Our program for the past school year offered in-person Jewish Studies on Sunday mornings and both an in-person and remote Hebrew option for Hebrew School, with the goal of remaining sensitive to the everchanging pandemic situation while aiming to meet the needs of our students and families.

Class Schedule During the School Year

Sunday School (Jewish Studies) meet on Sundays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
In-person Hebrew School meet on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
We also offer virtual Hebrew, in which students meet weekly with a Hebrew instructor on Zoom.

Sundays are for Grades K-7.
Thursdays are for Grades 3-7.
Grades 6-7 students and parents have a monthly pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah program with the Rabbi called Minyanaires.
Grades 8-12 students are invited to participate in a program called Teen Torah Study with the Rabbi.

Registration for the Religious School Year

For more information on enrolling in Religious School, email Marjorie Miller at Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com

Storytimes

A program designed for younger children are the weekly Storytimes led by Marjorie Miller, the Director of Religious Education and Youth Engagement. This event is a great way for students to get together, hear and discuss books with Jewish themes and values. Students and their parents are invited to this event held on Tuesdays at 7:00pm over zoom.

Recent School Activities

Featured

Simhat Torah and New Student Consecration

Simhat Torah was celebrated on October 25 as we concluded Deuteronomy and began Genesis again, keeping our study of the Torah a continual part of our lives. As a part of that service, we welcomed our newest Religious School students and blessed their study of Torah.

Kitah Bet Rainbow Goal Projects

At the beginning of the 2022 school year, students in Jacob's K-2 class work on their rainbow goal projects. Their goal is to write things they'd like to learn or accomplish this year, such as learning the Hebrew alphabet, attending services, and learning prayers.

Youth Shabbat Brunch

At the Youth Shabbat Brunch held on August 13, 2022, families were invited to sing, play, do crafts, and enjoy a delicious breakfast spread. This event was co-sponsored by Congregation Brit Shalom and the State College Area Jewish Federation. Future Youth Shabbat gatherings are planned for September 17, October 15, and November 5.

Youth Library

This winter, Marjorie Stromberg Miller, Director of Religious Education and Youth Engagement, established a special library for our .Religious School and Sunday School students. In June, students of all ages and their families were invited to a special Summer Library program. Please email Marjorie (Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com) if you have books or games to donate to the Youth Library..

2022 Elective Day

Prospective, current and rising Kindergarten students participated in Elective Day through the Religious School on May 22, 2022 at Congregation Brit Shalom. Students chose either Arts & Crafts with Becca Thorsen or Music with Dov Gordon.

Students taking art made hamsas using dried beans, pasta and other items they found outside. Students in Dov's music class learned a variety of new songs and melodies, as well as Israeli Dancing!

Purim 5782

Children of all ages had an opportunity to play a variety of fun Purim games. Following the games, there was a Megillah reading in the sanctuary..

6th-7th Grade Shabbat Dinner

Students in Dov's 6th and 7th grade Jewish Studies class prepared and ate Shabbat dinner together on Friday, November 12, 2021 and then led Friday night services. The students came up with their own menu of challah, matzo ball soup, pizza, macaroni and cheese, salad, garlic bread, french fries, cinnamon rolls and ice cream.

Religious School Global Twinning Project

Our 6th and 7th graders remained hard at work as they continue their project with the Global School Twinning Network, an organization that establishes formal pairings between American Schools and Israeli Schools. Our school is paired with a school in Dimona, Israel. By holding Zoom meetings the our students and those in Dimona continue to learn more about one another!

Pre-School

A pre-school program, independently operated by the Jewish Community Center Nursery School of State College, Inc. meets in the education wing of the synagogue on Mondays through Fridays. Information can be found at its website.