Temple Beth El Religious School offers a diverse and creative Jewish education. Watch our jewTuBE charlotte post to see our students and teachers in action!
Temple Beth El is a Reform Jewish Congregation, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. We embrace the “Goals of Reform Jewish Education” of the URJ.
Kindergarten, first and second grades meet Sunday mornings, 8:30 am – 10:30 am or 11:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Bobbi and Don Bernstein Education Building. Our youngest students are surrounded by caring and devoted teachers who are passionate about teaching and sharing their love of Judaism. Our teachers are assisted by teen madrichim (teacher assistants) who serve as role models for our students. Students begin their morning with a musical t’filah service that sets the tone for engaging and creative learning. Students will enjoy specials like art, music, technology and creative experientials. Curriculum covers Torah stories, Jewish holidays, mitzvot and values, prayer and our relationship with God. Every grade will have multiple family engagement opportunities throughout the year.
Third through sixth graders meet Sunday mornings, 8:30 am – 10:30 am or 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and Monday or Wednesday afternoon from 4:45 pm – 6:15 pm in the Bobbi and Don Bernstein Education Building. Our upper grade students are engaged and challenged by gifted teachers who share their passion and Jewish expertise. Their dedication to our students and love of all things Jewish help create nurturing environments where our students begin to hone their ideas about Jewish identity, spirituality, God, and community. Third grade begins the study of Hebrew language and reading. Each grade studies the meaning and content of Shabbat and weekday prayers that are central to our religious services. Students will enjoy specials like art, music, technology and creative experientials. The Judaic portion of the curriculum covers the Book of Prophets, Jewish life cycle, values and ethics, Jewish history, Holocaust, Israel and Jewish identity, God and spirituality. Every grade will have multiple family engagement opportunities throughout the year.
In anticipation of the increasing social opportunities and pressures that begin with the b’nei mitzvah year, and recognizing the enormous range of physical and emotional maturity among kids ages 12 and 13, the 6th grade program seeks to help kids cope with their changing bodies and their changing environment, and to open or increase the dialogue between parents and their children.
Sheva is the Hebrew number for seven and the name of our seventh grade classes. Our seventh graders are ready to use all the information they have learned over the years at TBE from K-6, to envision how they will incorporate that knowledge into their own lives. Sheva is the next step in their Jewish journey. They will be carefully guided through deep discussions and meaningful experiences by our Director of Youth Engagement and Associate Rabbi who nurture and develop strong relationships with our students. Students will explore the evolution of Judaism over thousands of year through the art of argument and debate and discuss the lessons that will impact their Jewish lives today. Lastly, students spend the year exploring their Jewish identity as they enter Jewish adulthood, so they can make informed choices about how to live a Jewish life. Sheva students attend Religious School on Monday or Wednesday afternoon from 4:45 pm – 6:15 pm in the Bobbi and Don Bernstein Education Building and one Saturday per month from 9:00 am – 12:45 pm in the Temple. Sheva families will have multiple family learning and engagement opportunities throughout the year.
Temple Beth El strives to meet the needs of every Jewish child. Our tradition teaches that each of us is created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and that each of us is to be valued. Students with special learning and developmental challenges will find weekly Jewish education through Tikvah Charlotte, our community special needs religious school.
The teachers at Tikvah Charlotte bring Judaism into the lives of their students through a variety of experiences and teaching techniques that are engaging, creative and challenge each student to achieve and develop their own Jewish identity and sense of community. Students may attend Tikvah Charlotte for Hebrew and Judaica education or for those with reading and language challenges, only for Hebrew. Tikvah Charlotte students participate in many Temple Beth El Religious School activities and programs throughout the year and students and their families will have many engagement opportunities throughout the year at TBE.
Tikvah Charlotte is a cooperative program sponsored by Temple Beth El, Temple Israel, and the Consolidated Hebrew High School of Jewish Studies of Charlotte and receives funding from The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. Tikvah Charlotte meets for two hours on Sunday mornings.
For more information, contact Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Our Youth Groups are an important part of Temple Beth El’s commitment to engaging our youth from five year olds all the way up to age 18. This is a wonderful opportunity for TBE kids to get together and forge Jewish friendships that last a lifetime.
