Busy "Back to School" for students of all ages at Congregation Kehilat Shalom.
What do a smart, resourceful, and passionate group of teens do when they decide they want something? They usually find a way to get it. The Hebrew High School students of Congregation Kehilat Shalom in Belle Mead felt very strongly about continuing and expanding their post bar mitzvah education program to include not only once weekly classes and discussions on various Jewish topics, but also a vibrant Jewish youth group with a real home base. Last winter they began planning how they could use the limited space inside the synagogue to have a teen classroom/lounge that they could call their own. After approval of their plan by the synagogue's Board of Directors, they set out raising money to convert the choir loft of the synagogue to a semi-private classroom/lounge that could serve as dual use when needed for overflow at services.
With all their fund raising activities such as the car wash shown in the photo, and with the help of Hebrew High Director Karen Fridkis and member architect Joe Weiss and volunteer engineer Eric Weitze, they plan to have the building modifications completed by the end of August in order to be able to kick off the new program in September. It will be called "Kehi-loft", combining the symbolic Hebrew name of the synagogue ("Kehilat" means community in Hebrew), with the real physical space of the loft. The synagogue community is enormously proud of this student-led effort to enhance the commitment to the youth community at CKS. Mazel Tov to the CKS Hebrew High students for working so hard to make their vision a reality!
The effort of the Hebrew High students to continue their Jewish education is a testament to the education offered in the Kindergarten thru 7th grade Hebrew school, where exciting things are also happening. Principal Dori Daus has made some innovative improvements to the curriculum and activities at the Hebrew School. Children have the opportunity to experience firsthand the rich cultural heritage of Judaism by participating in Jewish cooking, crafts, and music as part of the regular Hebrew School program.
Experienced teachers and small class sizes are the core of Kehilat Shalom Hebrew School, which meets on Sundays from 9 am - 12 pm. Class time often involves education and discussion about Jewish history and culture, current events, and modern Israel. Students are learning to read, write and speak Hebrew as early as 1st grade, begin the all-important preparation for their bar/bat mitzvah by learning the songs and prayers of the Shabbat service and practicing trope as part of the 5th - 7th grade curriculum.
CKS also has a non-sectarian weekday pre-school, Kindercapers, that features nurturing, caring experiences for the littlest learners, as well as an extended program which runs until 2 PM on selected days of the week and includes enrichments such as cooking, art, movement, and science. Director Susan Schatzman adds, "We also had a very successful first-year summer camp program and are looking forward to returning to our regular school program, which begins on Monday, September 8."
And finally, to round out all ages and stages of life, CKS sponsors a very extensive adult education program that includes Hebrew language, torah study, Shabbat service worship leadership, Jewish history in films, and Jewish life issues such as interfaith families. This year’s adult education program will kick off with a Hebrew refresher class on Sunday mornings, September 21 and October 5 to help prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days.
If you would like to learn more, come to a Welcome Back Barbeque the first day of Hebrew School, Sunday, September 7, from noon to 4 PM at the synagogue.
For more information on CKS Education, complimentary high holy day tickets, or to RSVP for any of the above events or to find out more about the synagogue, please call the main synagogue office at 908-359-0420 during business hours, and speak with Robin Bengochea, or email her at robin@ksnj.org. Rabbi Susan Falk, spiritual leader of CKS, may also be reached at the temple office. More information about the synagogue can also be found on the synagogue website, www.ksnj.org.
With all their fund raising activities such as the car wash shown in the photo, and with the help of Hebrew High Director Karen Fridkis and member architect Joe Weiss and volunteer engineer Eric Weitze, they plan to have the building modifications completed by the end of August in order to be able to kick off the new program in September. It will be called "Kehi-loft", combining the symbolic Hebrew name of the synagogue ("Kehilat" means community in Hebrew), with the real physical space of the loft. The synagogue community is enormously proud of this student-led effort to enhance the commitment to the youth community at CKS. Mazel Tov to the CKS Hebrew High students for working so hard to make their vision a reality!
The effort of the Hebrew High students to continue their Jewish education is a testament to the education offered in the Kindergarten thru 7th grade Hebrew school, where exciting things are also happening. Principal Dori Daus has made some innovative improvements to the curriculum and activities at the Hebrew School. Children have the opportunity to experience firsthand the rich cultural heritage of Judaism by participating in Jewish cooking, crafts, and music as part of the regular Hebrew School program.
Experienced teachers and small class sizes are the core of Kehilat Shalom Hebrew School, which meets on Sundays from 9 am - 12 pm. Class time often involves education and discussion about Jewish history and culture, current events, and modern Israel. Students are learning to read, write and speak Hebrew as early as 1st grade, begin the all-important preparation for their bar/bat mitzvah by learning the songs and prayers of the Shabbat service and practicing trope as part of the 5th - 7th grade curriculum.
CKS also has a non-sectarian weekday pre-school, Kindercapers, that features nurturing, caring experiences for the littlest learners, as well as an extended program which runs until 2 PM on selected days of the week and includes enrichments such as cooking, art, movement, and science. Director Susan Schatzman adds, "We also had a very successful first-year summer camp program and are looking forward to returning to our regular school program, which begins on Monday, September 8."
And finally, to round out all ages and stages of life, CKS sponsors a very extensive adult education program that includes Hebrew language, torah study, Shabbat service worship leadership, Jewish history in films, and Jewish life issues such as interfaith families. This year’s adult education program will kick off with a Hebrew refresher class on Sunday mornings, September 21 and October 5 to help prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days.
If you would like to learn more, come to a Welcome Back Barbeque the first day of Hebrew School, Sunday, September 7, from noon to 4 PM at the synagogue.
For more information on CKS Education, complimentary high holy day tickets, or to RSVP for any of the above events or to find out more about the synagogue, please call the main synagogue office at 908-359-0420 during business hours, and speak with Robin Bengochea, or email her at robin@ksnj.org. Rabbi Susan Falk, spiritual leader of CKS, may also be reached at the temple office. More information about the synagogue can also be found on the synagogue website, www.ksnj.org.
posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008
