Congregation Beth Sholom
Religious School
Parent Handbook
2008 - 2009
5768 – 5769
Congregation Beth Sholom
Religious School
Karen Allen
Rabbi
Marsha Stemerman
Temple President
Nanci Schwartz
School Administrator
Shoshana Blinderman
School Educational Coordinator
Congregation Beth Sholom
352-326-3692
School Administrator
352-728-4122
mtapr@aol.com
Web site: www.congregationbethsholom.net
The Congregation Beth Sholom Religious School is housed in the synagogue,
located at
315 North 13th Street (Center Street)
Leesburg, FL 34748
A MESSAGE FROM THE CONGREGATION BETH SHOLOM
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR
Dear Parents:
The beginning of the School year is upon us and we are excited about the progress we’ve made in
developing a Religious School at Congregation Beth Sholom. Overall, our inaugural semester last
spring can be called a success. However, there is room for improvement and the school advisory
committee is pleased to announce the following updates:
_ An extremely qualified teacher has been hired to develop the curriculum and lead Hebrew and
Judaic studies;
_ School has been extended to every Sunday to provide a more consistent education for our
children;
_ We’ve added a Ganainu class for our pre-school children to introduce them to a life of Judaism
in a fun way. This class will meet monthly and will be led by Madeline Glick, a talented and
creative student volunteer who is wonderful with young children;
_ Each student will have his/her own book(s);
_ Our new Rabbi has committed to developing a children’s High Holiday Service and would like
to integrate the school children into future temple services;
_ The new CBS Fellowship continues its enthusiastic support of the Religious School and has
committed to include the Religious School into more of the Temple events;
Additionally, the Rabbi and Religious School are also interested in developing a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
program. At this time, our limited resources prevent us from creating a structured curriculum;
however, we have identified qualified members of the community who would be willing to work with
the Rabbi and families in preparing for this important milestone in a Jewish child’s life.
With these improvements, I am confident that we will be able to attract more families to our small
congregation while further ensuring a strong Jewish foundation for our children.
The temple is committed to the religious school. We need the families’ commitment as well. A
weekly Sunday school requires a lot of work on the part of the teacher and the committee but we
are determined to make the school enriching and fun!
Please try to give the Jewish education of your children a place of honor in your home. Arrive on
time and ensure regular attendance. Be positive about Religious School. Take an interest in what
your children are learning at Religious School. Attend Shabbat and holiday services as often as
possible. And, please get involved and add your helping hands to our advisory committee who
oversee and support the Religious School events.
We have a great year planned and look forward to your participation.
Shana Tova,
Congregation Beth Sholom Religious School
Mission Statement
Congregation Beth Sholom’s Religious School’s mission is to provide diverse religious, education
and cultural opportunities for the children of its members. Our children learn what it means to be
part of K’lal Yisrael (the entire community of Israel) through our efforts Now, as we navigate
through the twenty-first century, our children must embrace the imperative of Torah and the
lessons of Jewish history in order to develop strong Jewish identities. The foundation of our
curriculum is Torah. We teach Jewish values and promote Hebrew reading as a way to unlock
Jewish prayer and as a link to the State of Israel. In keeping with Congregation Beth Sholom’s
philosophy about feeling like family, it is among our priorities to provide opportunities for family
education. Our school leadership prides itself on maintaining a creative and nurturing environment.
Congregation Beth Sholom Religious School is open to all Jewish children regardless of needs or
learning styles.
Religious School Faculty
We are proud of our Religious Schoolteachers at Congregation Beth Sholom. We are especially
excited about the recent hiring of an extremely experienced and talented teacher who will develop
the curriculum and lead the classes for our grade 1 – 3 and grade 4 – 7 classes.
Ganainu (pre-K – K): Madeline Glick
Grades 1 - 3: Shoshana Blinderman
Grades 4 - 7: Shoshana Blinderman
WORSHIP SERVICES
Regular participation in worship services strengthens the bond between Congregation Beth
Sholom and our families. It also improves Hebrew skills and prayer study beyond what can be
accomplished in the classroom. Please try to attend services as much as possible. We will be
advertising special “family” services throughout the year which will cater to our young families.
ATTENDANCE
Commitment to religious education must include consistent and regular attendance. This is the only
way to ensure a successful Religious School education for your family. If illness necessitates a
prolonged absence, we will arrange for work to be sent to your home.
It is imperative that you have your children at school at least five minutes before class begins.
This will allow them the time they need to organize themselves before class begins. Late arrivals
are a disruption to the class. We encourage you to arrange your schedule so that an early
dismissal will be unnecessary. However, if it is essential that your child be picked up early, please
notify the teacher prior to the start of class.
The Brit (Covenant) of Education
This Brit is an agreement between the Religious School and your family.
Together, we can agree that:
Religious School can educate our children about Judaism, but only our families can reinforce their
Judaism by teaching through our own dedication to study, prayer, and the welfare of Jews
everywhere.
Religious School can teach about rituals, but only our families can transmit the meaning of rituals
into the essence of our lives.
Religious School can teach Jewish ethical principles, but only our families can demonstrate these
principles in our everyday personal and business life.
Religious School can teach about Shabbat, but only our families can instill the meaning and spirit
of Shabbat by providing the experience of Shabbat shalom in our homes.
Religious School can teach the Torah and the ritual of service, but only our families can insure that
we all participate in the services of the life of Torah.
Code of Conduct: The Brit of Ethics
The Congregation Beth Sholom Religious School believes that students are entitled to a
wholesome classroom atmosphere conducive to effective learning. Good communication is
encouraged among the administrator, the teacher, the students and the parents. Therefore,
parents are asked to become involved when disciplinary problems arise. The following guidelines
have been adopted to deal with disciplinary situations. Please read and discuss this Brit with your
children.
The Goal:
1. To provide a safe and comfortable environment where learning can take place.
2. To create an environment of respect for self, respect for peers and respect for authority.
3. To establish a community where the home and school work together to produce
responsible students who are accountable for their actions at all times.
Rules of Conduct – We expect our students to:
1. Speak and act respectfully at all times.
2. Follow instructions
3. Conduct themselves with self-control.