Shabbat School Grades K-6
Shabbat School (Grades K-6)
Our cooperative Shabbat School is one component of the Havurah Shalom community and of Jewish living. Over time, our experiences in Shabbat School are complemented by celebrating holidays and life-cycle milestones, tikkun olam (repair of the world), tefillah (prayer/reflection), and by bringing Jewish values into our daily life.
Havurah Shalom Shabbat School is for member families with children in grades K-6 and meets approximately 17 Saturday afternoons throughout the school year from 3 to 5:15 pm. Learn more about the school's history and listen to testimonials below.
Family Cooperative Jewish Education Model
Our cooperative Shabbat School is one component of the Havurah Shalom community and of Jewish living. Over time, our experiences in Shabbat School are complemented by celebrating holidays and life-cycle milestones, tikkun olam (repair of the world), tefillah (prayer/reflection), and by bringing Jewish values into our daily life.
With the help of our education staff, parents work together in teams to plan and implement the curriculum and community-building activities for their child’s grade. Each teaching team is responsible for planning and implementing four sessions.
In addition to giving our children a basis for Jewish learning, Shabbat School fosters a strong sense of community among families. Many parents feel that they, too, enhance their knowledge about and connection to Judaism through the Shabbat School experience. All levels of experience and knowledge are welcome in our Shabbat School.
Please see the Havurah Shalom Shabbat School Parent Handbook and Curriculum Overview for detailed information about the Shabbat School structure, parent teaching and curriculum.
Goals of Shabbat School
The goals of the Havurah Shalom's Shabbat School are to:
- Develop and/or deepen our enthusiasm for Jewish learning and living.
- Embrace the Jewish values of study, social justice, celebration in home and synagogue, and participation in life cycle events.
- Appreciate and rely upon Jewish values as a guide to moral and responsible decision making for ourselves and our community.
- Engage substantively with Jewish tradition and deepen our attachment to our community.
It is our hope that the Shabbat School experience, in concert with home and community and Jewish involvement, will facilitate these long-term outcomes:
- Children will build the beginning of a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement.
- Parents and children will be drawn into a warm and caring Jewish community that will enhance our Jewish living.
The two smaller photos above were taken at Shabbat School on March 12, 2022, by Talia Hack-Davie Stein.
Enrollment Policies
In order for our family cooperative model of Grades K-6 Jewish education to continue to meet the diverse needs of families, their children and the larger Havurah community, we have the following policies for Shabbat School enrollment:
Timeline
All potential new families must be in touch with Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director, to discuss the unique model of Shabbat School, a family cooperative, before enrolling.
Families must be Havurah Shalom members by April 18 and enroll their children in Shabbat School by May 1 to ensure a spot for the upcoming year. From May 1 to August 1, enrollment in a particular grade is subject to space availability, in consultation with and at the discretion of the Education Director. You can contact Deborah, our Education Director, at deborah@havurahshalom.org to see if there is room.
Enrollment in Shabbat School is not available after August 1 for the upcoming year. Despite this, families are welcome to join Havurah Shalom and fully participate in holidays, Shabbat celebrations, and all other family activities.
For tuition assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director.
Post-Enrollment
We kick off the 2022-23 school year with the Shabbat School Summit on May 14, 3-5 pm. At that point, the whole Shabbat School community of parent-teachers organize themselves to prepare for when classes officially begin in September.
Enrollment Link
Begin Enrollment By Visiting This Page
Shabbat School Quick Links
Shabbat School Parent Handbook 2022-23
Provisional Family Calendar 2022-2023
Curriculum Overview
Reimbursement Form for Shabbat School Expenses
Youth Hebrew Classes: Enrollment and Terms of Participation
Youth Safety Policy Agreement Form
Shabbat School History
Learn more about the school's history and listen to testimonials below.
History of Shabbat School
40th Anniversary Shabbat School Video
Above photo of sixth graders at end of Shabbat School celebration in May 2022 was taken by Sandy Bacharach.
Sat, July 2 2022
3 Tammuz 5782
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 2 , 2022
Shabbat, Jul 2nd 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us in welcoming Megan Rose and Elijah Moss as B'nei Mitzvah and members of our community. -
Monday ,
JulJuly 4 , 2022
Monday, Jul 4th 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. But for mahjong at Havurah to work we all need to be willing to support it by participating as often we can, especially early on. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Monday ,
JulJuly 4 , 2022
Monday, Jul 4th 5:30p to 6:30p
We are a group of Havurah members interested in climate social justice. We will be reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" to connect to indigenous wisdom about life and social action around the environment. We are reaching out to see if new people want to join our lively and joyful book discussions. Open to non-members as well as members. We will meet every other Monday through July 4. -
Wednesday ,
JulJuly 6 , 2022
Wednesday, Jul 6th 7:00p to 8:30p
Informal summer study sessions for the ABM cohort. -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 7 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 7th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Thursday ,
JulJuly 7 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 7th 6:30p to 8:00p
Join the Havurah Climate Action Team for a discussion about the crisis facing these wild fish and learn what we can do about this together. We will meet by Zoom on Thursday, July 7th, at 6:30pm. Register on the Havurah Calendar to get the Zoom Room. Contact: Michael Heumann -
Friday ,
JulJuly 8 , 2022
Friday, Jul 8th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Friday ,
JulJuly 8 , 2022
Friday, Jul 8th 10:45a to 12:00p
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 9 , 2022
Shabbat, Jul 9th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members, this service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. It takes place in person and in Zoom Room Aleph. Contact info@havurahshalom.org for login info. -
Friday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2022
Friday, Jul 15th (All day)
Please submit your content using the form (News >> Submit News & Requests) or send to Rachel Pollak/rachel@havurahshalom.org. We love photos too.