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 23 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 2023-24 school year with the Shabbat School Summit on May 20, 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.
Enroll here for 2023-24 (5784)
Shabbat School Quick Links
Shabbat School Parent Handbook 2023-24
Family Calendar 2023-24 (5784)
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.
Tue, May 30 2023
10 Sivan 5783
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Opportunities to Come Together, Opportunities to Engage
Shavuot Begins Next Thursday Night: Join Us! Celebrate the start of Shavuot with all-night learning and lots of cheesecake!
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 31 , 2023
Wednesday, May 31st 6:00p to 8:00p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 1 , 2023
Thursday, Jun 1st 7:00p to 8:15p
Rabbi Benjamin will guide students and parents in responding to the text with their own questions and walk through the Shabbat morning service. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 3 , 2023
Shabbat, Jun 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. We meet in person and in Zoom Room Aleph. Please email Rachel for Zoom info: rachel@havurahshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 10:00a to 4:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 11:00a to 12:30p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 5:00p to 7:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023
Sunday, Jun 4th 6:30p to 8:30p
Please join the Racial Justice Committee for a discussion of the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. (Please watch the film ahead of time; it's available on several platforms.) This is the second film in a series to commemorate Juneteenth. In the film, an FBI informant infiltrates the Black Panthers to keep tabs on its charismatic leader, Fred Hampton. Critics describe the movie as a offering insight into a man and a movement that has been overlooked far too long. Although it takes place in the late '60s, the movie is, unfortunately, very relevant today. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023
Monday, Jun 5th 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. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023
Monday, Jun 5th 5:00p to 6:00p
Please join Havurah Climate Action Team for ongoing discussion of how to face the climate crisis. We will read "I Want a Better Catastrophe, Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor," by Andrew Boyd. Through interviews with prominent climate scientists, indigenous teachers, and sociologists, Andrew Boyd takes us through the process of looking squarely at the crisis we are in, feeling our emotions, and using them to power our response to the climate crisis. Open to members and non-members. Discussions will follow the book. One need not attend all the discussions. For questions, reach out to Michael Heumann or Harriet Cooke. RSVP for updates. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023
Monday, Jun 5th 6:00p to 8:00p
A course for transforming our antiracism efforts through Jewish spiritual practice. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and María Lisa Johnson Learn concrete Jewish spiritual tools alongside other Havurah members to confront, subvert, and heal implicit and internalized racism within ourselves and others. This course explores the inner work necessary to change our habits of mind, body, and spirit to dismantle racism, in support of whatever organizing, advocacy, and service-work we’re each engaged in. Our core spiritual practice will be Mussar, the Jewish spiritual discipline designed to integrate what the head understands with what the heart feels through daily practice. Participants will be expected to attend every session (as much as possible) and commit to consistent practice in between sessions, including meeting with a learning partner once every other week. This is not an antiracism 101 course, but rather is intended to build on an existing antiracism foundation, so participants need to have an understanding of systemic racism in the United States. Please contact Rabbi Benjamin if you are interested in participating.