Hebrew School

One of the most important elements of our congregation is our independent Beth Israel Hebrew School.

The goal of our Beth Israel Hebrew School is to provide a meaningful, lasting Jewish education to children and their families.

Central to meeting that goal are both a compassionate, experienced faculty and a tested and flexible curriculum designed to accommodate students from varying backgrounds.

We believe a Jewish religious education must provide a positive learning environment that will leave each student proud of his/her Jewish heritage. Our school combines the requisite text study and Hebrew language proficiency the student needs. In addition we offer an "experiential education" that will provide the wonderful memories that will lead students to become productive adult members of the larger Jewish community. The overall design is to promote the public welfare and become good citizens of the greater community as well.

Woven into our school's collective consciousness are important Jewish values of tikun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (righteousness), ahavat Yisrael (love of the land and people Israel) and avodat Hashem (service to G-d).

No curriculum can remain static. That's why we are participating in teacher enrichment programs to improve and update our curriculum. Working with the Maine Jewish Educators Conference and others, we have special continuing programs to increase our teacher and student awareness of G-d and spirituality, special needs education and examining Jewish values in an American political context.

The Beth Israel Hebrew school features a wonderful pre-school for ages 3-5. It meets once each month either on Sundays or during Hebrew School hours to give our students a "leg up" in their overall Hebrew education, especially in reading and basic vocabulary.

With generous support from our congregation, our students are enjoying our wonderful new facility at 906 Washington Street in Bath. We hope also to introduce new computers and Judaic software for use by teachers and students that will include Hebrew word processing, language games and internet access.

Hebrew School Forms for 2008-09

School Calendar 2008-09

School Enrollment Form

Emergency Form

Publication Permission Form

Hebrew School Schedule for 2008-09

Snack provided by school.
Opportunity to reconnect with teacher.

Prayer Service/Music/Discussion
Collection of tzadaka (money to go to a cause chosen by the students)

This service is a way for our students to become familiar with Jewish Liturgy and will prepare them to participate in services at the synagogue. This year our afternoon service will be 15-20 minute and the remaining time will be dedicated to learning Prayer through Song. Individual melodies and words of the Sabbath service or seasonal holiday tunes will be taught, learned and reviewed throughout the academic year.

The service will be held downstairs in the Minnie Brown Building.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to join us for the service. Please remember that side conversations should be held elsewhere.

Classes will be held.

Music

Students will learn melodies relevant to the holiday. They will be introduced to many traditional tunes as well as newer compositions. Reading music and harmonizing will be part of the curriculum. It is expected that students participate in this music program, and not be picked up early.

Curriculum Guide

• Lower School Curriculum
  • Kindergarten
  • Grade Aleph (First Grade)
  • Grade Kitah Bet (Second Grade)
• Upper School Curriculum
  • Grade Kitah Gimmel (Third Grade)
  • Grade Kitah Dalet (Fourth Grade)
  • Grade Kitah Hey (Fifth Grade)
  • Grade Kitah Vav (Sixth Grade)