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Education Religious School 2008-09 Ma'ayan B'nai Shalom Religious School information: Welcome Letter, Registration Packet (Word | PDF), School Year Calendar Shalom and Welcome to Ma’ayan B’nai Shalom! Ma’ayan is a religious school that is committed to empowering your child to engage in the richness of Jewish life through Torah, Worship and acts of Loving Kindness. Ma’ayan B’nai Shalom is an interactive religious school that helps students and parents learn the pillars of Jewish life and how to incorporate those values in their everyday lives. Our core curriculum focuses on teaching the depth of Jewish prayer and the Hebrew language, values and the importance of community through Torah, God, Hebrew, Israel and the Jewish people. Our excellent teaching staff uses a combination of formal and informal teaching methods to impart a quality curriculum that will excite and engage each student towards understanding Jewish tradition in a dynamic and relevant way. As each child moves through our program they will develop the skills necessary to live a vibrant Jewish life. Welcome to the 2008-2009 academic school year! On this website you will find a checklist that might be helpful to you while filling out your forms. In addition to the school registration materials you will also find the school calendar, a special needs form, the medical alert form, a volunteer form, and a Jewish Educational Action Plan (JEAP) for each family. Parent participation and involvement are crucial to the success of our Religious School. We have included a volunteer form in this packet. Each family is required to either give six hours of volunteer time over the year or pay $118 at the beginning of the year. If you do not complete your 6-hour commitment by the end of the school year, a charge of $150 will be added to your June bill. We will only be able to register your child once we have collected the volunteer form as well as the JEAP. The JEAP is intended to strengthen the communication that occurs between students and teachers. School income generated from tuition covers less than one half of our expenses. Now is the time to make Jewish education a priority in our community. Do not let the cost of the school tuition keep you from enrolling your child. Scholarships are available, so please get in touch with Rabbi Jen, if you are interested in learning more about scholarships. I look forward to an exciting and engaging new year together. L’Shalom, Rabbi Jen Flam Director of Congregational Learning Debbie Deitch Vice President of Education Congregation B’nai Shalom Religious School Service Requirements • Who? B’nai Shalom Religious School students (grades 3-7). For grades 3-6, the requirement will be handled through the school. For grade 7, the requirement is still monitored and defined by Hazzan Dinkin. Students in younger grades and Day School Students are encouraged to attend, too! • What? 10 services during the 2003-4 school year. (Additional occasions will be given for double service points.) • Where? Service attendance may be fulfilled by any B’nai Shalom Shabbat or holiday service. • When? See the schedule of Youth Shabbat services above. A party will be held on the last Youth Shabbat (in May) for those who have completed their requirement by that date. • Why? To enjoy Shabbat with friends. To sing the songs you learned at camp. To have fun. To give Hazzan Dinkin a great surprise when you show up for that first bar/bat mitzvah lesson and know practically the entire service. • How? To facilitate completion of this requirement, we are starting a Youth Shabbat program with age-appropriate services…   Youth Shabbat Programs Derekh Shabbat: Grades 1-3 Derekh Shabbat (“The Path to Shabbat”) is intended for students in grades 1 through 3. Students may attend with parents or alone. This professionally led service will introduce children to Shabbat morning prayers with a short service and activities appropriate for the weekly Torah reading or next holiday. Junior Shabbat: Grades 4-6 Junior Shabbat is a prayer community for students in grades 4 though 6. Students will be guided through an abbreviated traditional service, teaching melodies and explaining prayers. Students will receive opportunities to lead prayers and practice their skills. The environment will be one that emphasizes questioning, proper Shabbat behavior, and the celebratory nature of Shabbat. Education Committee If you want to participate in policy making, program planning, classroom involvement, curriculum goals and general knowledge of how our Religious School runs, come join the Education Committee. Call the B'nai Shalom office at 925-934-9446. Contact Director of Congregational Learning Our Religious School is led by the Director of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Jennifer Flam. Contact Rabbi Flam by e-mail, or call 925-934-9446, extension 104. (back to top)

Congregation B'nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Office Phone: 925-934-9446  FAX: 925-934-9450  School Phone: 925-934-9510 Please send any comments or questions about this site to our