Teacher: Morah Sally Hendelman
Jewish Living and Learning—Peulot Point Program
At Bet Am Shalom, we recognize that some of the most powerful Jewish learning takes place outside of the classroom, often while we are together as a family. Jewish learning happens while attending services, delivering Purim baskets, welcoming neighbors, celebrating Shabbat at home, and reading a book on a Jewish topic. To encourage this kind of learning and to accommodate families' busy schedules, we have created a system in which our families can customize the learning for our children.
The Peulot Point program (peulot means "activities") allows us to choose activities and services that most interest our families. Each student in grades 3-6 is required to earn 18 peulot points a year. Click here for more information.
Torah: Parashah Hashavua/Weekly Torah Portion:
Through the study of the weekly Torah portion, students will explore Jewish traditions, concepts, and values. Students will make personal connections to the Torah and be empowered to make personal decisions guided by Jewish values. For each Torah portion students will practice reading and discuss pasookim (verses) of Torah, as well as learn new Hebrew vocabulary with each Torah portion. Students will study and practice reading verses of Torah in Hebrew and learn vocabulary from these verses. They will read a couple verses of Torah in our Youth Service twice a year. Students will strengthen their Hebrew skills through all aspects of the curriculum, when practicing tefillot, during music class, and through the use of modern Hebrew phrases in class.
Chagim/Holidays and Shabbat:
Through engaging, experiential, and age-appropriate activities, students will explore the meaning of the Jewish holidays, including their rituals, mitzvot and the way they are celebrated in Israel. Students will share how their families celebrate Jewish holidays to enrich the classroom learning.
Spirituality and Tefillah/Prayer:
Students will meet with Rabbi Fredda Cohen on Wednesdays to study and practice the Friday night and Shabbat morning services. When families participate in BAS Friday night and Shabbat morning services, they connect to our community, and the students live what they are learning.
Click here to listen to Shabbat and holiday prayers and songs.
Gemilut Chasadim/Acts of Loving Kindness:
Kitah Hay will explore the Jewish value of Maot Hitim, providing Passover food for those who need it, as well as issues of hunger in our community. Kitah Hay will deliver Passover packages to elderly people in the Bronx who are homebound.
Our Chaverim (buddies) program gives Kitah Hay the opportunities to get to know Kitah Bet students and to strengthen our community across age groups. The fall family program will include time for the parents of the Chaverim in grades 2 & 5 to meet. We gather together for whole-school holiday celebrations, as well as for grade level family programs on Shabbat and Sundays during school.
Click here to see the many opportunities 5th graders have to participate in youth programs, including youth events and band. Our 5th graders are invited to attend the spring retreat at Camp JRF with youth from several Reconstructionist synagogues.