In 5771, Beth Am’s education theme will be Ahavah: What’s Love Got to Do With It? Several core Jewish teachings command us to love: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), “Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19), and “Love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might” (Deut. 6:5). This year, through study and community building, we will explore what it means to love in each of these ways.
Beth Am’s mission statement for youth education communicates our commitment to both learning and community building: “The purpose of Youth Education at Congregation Beth Am is to create a safe, warm, accepting learning community that will enhance students’ ability to become committed, knowledgeable, participating Reform Jews.” We hope that this mission is evident in every education program and in every interaction with our teachers and professional staff.
We continue to offer dynamic learning opportunities in all of our education programs. In addition, we encourage students to explore their Judaism outside the classroom walls by attending our retreats, youth group events, and Shabbat dinners.
We are pleased to announce Morasha, a new B’nai Mitzvah parent enrichment program, that will provide parents of seventh graders with the skills and knowledge they need to have a richer B’nai Mitzvah experience along with their children. For more information on this exciting new program, please see page 2.
As always, we offer a myriad of adult learning options, including several opportunities for parents and children to engage in Jewish learning together.
You will notice some tuition fee adjustments for next year. As you know, this year we did not raise tuition, acknowledging the stress of the economic downturn on Beth Am families. However, as costs continue to rise for next year we have raised tuition slightly in some areas (although we lowered it in a few areas where we have been able to reduce costs). As always, please contact our Executive Director, Debbie Coutant, if you have any financial difficulty so we can insure that all our children can receive a Jewish education.
As this year comes to a close and you begin to think about next year, please take a moment to read through this packet and register for Youth Education programs.
We look forward to another wonderful year of learning together!
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Jennifer Clayman, Shabbaton, Hebrew Program and Hagigah
Mike Mason, Sunday Program and Tuesday Night Program
Shaina Wasserman, Kivunim and Retreats
Erin Goldstrom, Youth Advisor
Sherrie Rose Maleson, Gan Ami Director
Shannon Dorn, Education Office Staff
