REGISTRATION INFORMATION for KINDERGARTEN – SEVENTH GRADE
2022-2023
The Temple Beth David Religious School offers a vibrant and varied educational program for children and their families in Kindergarten through High School.
Students in the Primary Grades experience a hands-on approach to Jewish life. We celebrate Shabbat and holidays, introducing students to symbols of Judaism, Torah, Israel and Hebrew letters.
Formal Hebrew Language instruction begins in the Second/Third Grade class. Hebrew reading instruction is individualized to provide all students with meaningful learning situations.
In Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades families participate in our PACT Program: Parent And Child Together. PACT students learn side by side with their parent/s in various workshops and also attend a traditional class once each week. In addition, PACT students learn about Jewish history, life cycle events, Israel, Torah and other sacred texts. They explore traditional Jewish values and contemporary issues.
In all grades, classroom instruction is enriched by regular Music Sessions, Worship Services in the Sanctuary and special projects. Our Seventh Grade program includes a Hebrew Language Class and a Judaica class.
In addition to volunteering in our Religious School, our teens in Eighth through Twelfth Grades have the option to participate in Community Hebrew High School. See more details about the PACT program in this packet.
[Please note Bar & Bat Mitzvah instruction is under the direction of Rabbi/Cantor Halpern and is not part of the Religious School Program.]
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration is completed on a first come – first served basis.
In order to maintain appropriate class sizes for all of our programs, the School reserves the right to close enrollment for any class or day. In addition, classes will only be offered with sufficient enrollment.
Please click on this link and complete ONE Registration Form for all children in a family:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1z8fMc6ZNpMOTQ0iNsQTDtBad4UuiLfsGOSQw4JJsZ_U/edit?usp=sharing
In order to register for a new school year, dues and financial obligations must be current. Please contact Robin Kain in the Temple Office privately regarding any concerns (robin@tbdcommack.org). No deposit is required to submit Registration materials. As a courtesy to families, Religious School and Temple fees are billed monthly. There is a $50 reduction in tuition for siblings. A Bar/Bat Mitzvah fee is charged one year prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date. Separate Registration information for Grades 8 – 12 are provided to families.
2022-2023 CLASS SCHEDULE
Kindergarten & Grade 1
Tuesday (4:30-6:30 PM)
Grades 2 & 3
Tuesday (4:30-6:30 PM)
Grade 4
PACT – Wednesday (4:30-6:30 PM)
Grade 5
PACT – Wednesday (4:30-6:30 PM)
Grade 6
PACT – Tuesday (4:30-6:30 PM)
PACT: Parent and Child Together for
Grade 4, Grade 5 and Grade 6
Information about the PACT Program for Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Graders is found at the end of this packet.
Individual Hebrew Tutorials for students (schedule is set at the beginning of the school year)
Family Foundation Programs (dates listed on the Religious School Calendar)
Family Elective Activities (dates listed on the Religious School Calendar)
Grade 7
Tuesday (6:40-8:30 PM)
Grades 8 – 12
Information about schedule and registration are provided separately.
TBD’s Together With Tots
See calendar for dates.
SCHOOL POLICIES
We encourage students to begin Religious School in the younger grades. Children who do so generally feel more comfortable in the synagogue, develop stronger friendships and acquire a higher level of Hebrew reading and chanting. A reduced tuition fee is offered for Kindergarten, First and Second Grades for Temple members. In addition, non-members are invited to enroll their children in these grades at a non-member rate.
Students are expected to begin Religious School no later than Third Grade in order to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beth David on or about their 13th birthday. Students are expected to complete the Seventh Grade. All fees must be current six months prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.
P A C T — Parent And Child Together
Our PACT Program is ‘packed’ full of learning & meaningful experiences together!
PACT is for those seeking a different type of involvement in Jewish learning and living as a family. It offers a one-day per week schedule for the children and more flexibility and choices in schedule for families.
The PACT Program includes these components:
Fourth Grade PACT classes – Weekly Wednesday classes (4:30–6:30 p.m.)
Students have a Hebrew Language Class and a Judaica Class by grade. The curriculum follows the Fourth Grade program offered to all students in this grade.
- Hebrew Language: letter recognition, decoding words, reading prayer book and holiday-related prayers and blessings
- Judaica Class: Introduction to stories from the Torah; exploring God in our world
- Individual Hebrew Language Tutorials (see below)
The PACT students also have music class and Worship assemblies with the other Wednesday afternoon Religious School classes.
Fifth Grade PACT classes – Weekly Wednesday classes (4:30-6:30 p.m.)
Students have a Hebrew Language Class and a Judaica Class by grade.
- Hebrew Language: Shabbat prayers and blessings: meanings and mastery
- Judaica Class: the Jewish life-cycle and the land and State of Israel
- Individual Hebrew Language Tutorials (see below)
The PACT students also have music class and Worship assemblies with the other Tuesday afternoon Religious School classes.
Sixth Grade PACT classes – Weekly Tuesday classes (4:30-6:30 p.m.)
Students have a Hebrew Language Class and a Judaica Class by grade.
- Hebrew Language: Chanting the prayers of Shabbat service
- Judaica Class: Jewish Heroes from Biblical times to present day
- Individual Hebrew Language Tutorials (see below)
The PACT students also have music class and Worship assemblies with the other Wednesday afternoon Religious School classes.
Individual Hebrew Language Tutorials
In addition to their weekly Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon class, each student has an individual 15 minute session with a Hebrew Language teacher. These are in-person, by phone or by ZOOM; the schedule is set by the teacher and individual parents at the beginning of the school year.
PACT Foundation Programs
There are seven Foundation Programs scheduled throughout the school year for the student and parent/s. Each family is expected to attend at least five of the Foundation Programs. These are offered on Sunday mornings (9:30-10:30 a.m.) and Tuesday and Wednesday evenings (6:30–7:30 p.m.). Each year the Foundation Programs follows a theme. During these programs, parents and children learn together, participate in special events and have a chance to get to know other PACT families.
Fourth / Fifth Grade PACT Foundation Program Dates for 2022-2023
November 9, Wednesday evening
PACT Foundation Program Fourth/Fifth Grades 6:30-8:00 p.m
December 7, Wednesday evening PACT Foundation Program Fourth/Fifth Grades 6:30-8:00 p.m.
January 21, Saturday afternoon PACT Foundation Prog` Fourth/Fifth Grades 4:30-5:30 p.m. (Zoom)
March 21, Tuesday evening PACT Foundation Program Fourth/Fifth Grades 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 19, Wednesday evening PACT Foundation Program Fourth/Fifth Grades 6:30-7:30 p.m.
May 7, Sunday morning Temple Mitzvah Day
Sixth Grade PACT Foundation Program Dates for 2022-2023
November 15, Tuesday evening PACT Family Foundation Program Sixth Grade, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
December 13, Tuesday evening PACT Foundation Program Sixth Grade 6:30-7:30 p.m.
January 22, Sunday morning PACT Foundation Program Sixth Grade 9:30-10:30 a.m. (Zoom)
March 29, Wednesday evening PACT Foundation Program Sixth Grade 6:30-7:45 p.m.
April 25, Tuesday evening PACT Foundation Program Sixth Grade 6:30-7:45 p.m.
May 7, Sunday morning Temple Mitzvah Day
Family Experiences and Programs (Electives)
During the course of the year, families are expected to attend six additional events offered at Temple Beth David. Each family chooses the events based upon their own interests and schedules, such as: Sukkot Supper, Family Fun Day, Shabbat Dinners, Havdalah activities and celebrations, Holiday Family Experiences.
Worship Services
PACT Students & Parents are expected to attend a total of ten worship services during the year. These include High Holiday, festival and Shabbat worship, as well as the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grade Shabbat evening services.
Acts of Tzedakah
Each family participates in a Social Action project or program. These may be events held at Temple Beth David, such as making sandwiches for a local soup kitchen, or it may be a project in the community.
PACT Instructors and Staff
Rabbi Klafter and Dr. Gursky supervise the PACT Program and coordinate the Family Foundation Programs.
