Students Grades K – 7

THIRD - SIXTH GRADE

Third through sixth graders meet Sunday mornings, 9:00 am – 11:00 am and Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon from 5:00 pm – 6:30 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.

SEVENTH GRADE SHEVA

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 Assistant Rabbi who nurtures and develops 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 Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm in the Bobbi and Don Bernstein Education Building and one Saturday per month from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Temple.  Sheva families will have multiple family learning and engagement opportunities throughout the year.

SPECIAL NEEDS - TIKVAH CHARLOTTE

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.

YOUTH GROUPS

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.

TEACHER/CLASS INFORMATION

Have you ever wanted to know more about your child’s Religious School teacher?  Click the teacher name below to find out interesting information that our teachers want to share about themselves and their classes.  We will also post important information from teacher emails that are sent monthly.  Please remember to check this page regularly for updates.

KINDERGARTEN – Dawn Sakai

FIRST GRADE – Susan Soto

SECOND GRADE – Linda Lepow/Jennifer Sawyer

THIRD GRADE – Betsy Olinger/Susan Meyer/Jennifer Sawyer

FOURTH GRADE – Caleb Seidler/Sara Bryan/Susan Soto/Jennifer Sawyer/Stefan Pienkny/Susan Meyer

FIFTH GRADE – Tami Bernat/Steven Miller/Amy Montoni/Jennifer Sawyer

SIXTH GRADE – Morgan Torcellini/Stefan Pienkny/Amy Montoni/Patty Torcellini/Jennifer Sawyer

SHEVA – Linda Lepow/Caleb Seidler