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 19 and enroll their children in Shabbat School by April 26 to ensure a spot for the upcoming year. From April 26 to August 1, enrollment in a particular grade is subject to space availability, at the discretion of the Education Director.
Enrollment in Shabbat School is not available after August 1 for the upcoming year.
Families are always welcome to participate in Havurah Shalom holidays, Shabbat celebrations, and other family activities.
For tuition assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Shari Raider, Financial Manager.
Post-Enrollment
We kick off the 2024-25 school year with the Shabbat School Summit on May 18, 2024, 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 for the 2024-25 (5785) school year
Shabbat School Quick Links
Shabbat School Treasury
Shabbat School Parent Handbook 2023-24
Family Calendar 2023-24 (5784) updated 2/6/24
Curriculum Overview
2023-24 (5784) Shabbat School Program Evaluation Report
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.
Fri, April 26 2024
18 Nisan 5784
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Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Havurahnik Seder Matching Continues, Kabbalat Shabbbat on Friday, and Much More!
Passover Seder Matching Continues
Havurahniks, can you share a seat at your seder table? Or, are you a Havurahnik looking
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
AprApril 27 , 2024
Shabbat, Apr 27th 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us in welcoming Beatrice Weiss Ekstrom as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. -
Sunday ,
AprApril 28 , 2024
Sunday, Apr 28th 11:00a to 1:00p
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Sunday ,
AprApril 28 , 2024
Sunday, Apr 28th 12:00p to 4:00p
HCAT invites you to continue with our climate action month by attending a community wide Climate Action Fair at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Cosponsored by the MJCC and the Jewish Federation’s Climate team, meet dozens of environmental organizations and discover resources for actions you can take. A series of speakers will talk about forestry, electrification, native plants and climate friendly foods. (And let Elianne Lieberman know if you can give someone a ride or are seeking a ride!) -
Sunday ,
AprApril 28 , 2024
Sunday, Apr 28th 1:00p to 5:00p
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Monday ,
AprApril 29 , 2024
Monday, Apr 29th 5:30p to 7:00p
Join the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting in Zoom Room Gimel. -
Tuesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2024
Tuesday, Apr 30th 8:00a to 9:15a
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. We will observe Yizkor today as well. We meet both in person and streaming online in Zoom Room Aleph. All are welcome. Please email info@havurahshalom.org for join info. -
Tuesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2024
Tuesday, Apr 30th 7:00p to 7:30p
[RSVP to be emailed a recording of the April 9 intro session.] The Omer is an ancient tradition marking time between the Exodus from the Narrow Place to the Expanse at Sinai. Explore tools and practices to facilitate your own learning and experience from Liberation to Revelation. We will have an intro class followed by half-hour check-ins, one for each Sephira. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. 7 pm, Tuesdays, Apr. 9 (Intro), 23 (Chesed), 30 (Gevurah); May 7 (Tiferet), 14 (Netzach), 21 (Hod), 28 (Yesod); Jun. 4 (Malchut) Led by Andrine de la Rocha. -
Tuesday ,
AprApril 30 , 2024
Tuesday, Apr 30th 7:00p to 8:30p
February 1862. The Civil War is less than one year old. The fighting has begun in earnest, and the nation has begun to realize it is in for a long, bloody struggle. Meanwhile, President Lincoln’s beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, lies upstairs in the White House, gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. “My poor boy, he was too good for this earth,” the president says at the time. “God has called him home.” Newspapers report that a grief-stricken Lincoln returns, alone, to the crypt several times to hold his boy’s body. From that seed of historical truth, George Saunders spins an unforgettable story of familial love and loss that breaks free of its realistic, historical framework into a supernatural realm both hilarious and terrifying. -
Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024
Thursday, May 2nd 11:00a to 3:00p
This exhibit is about science and art. It is meant to be a learning experience, about the top 60 solutions to climate change, as researched by over 5,000 scientists. And most importantly it is about hope. It is about learning about these solutions to climate change and changing the hearts and minds of those around us, so that we can all work together. Anne Nesse, 2024 -
Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024
Thursday, May 2nd 7:00p to 8:30p
We will break the event planning process into manageable steps. Led by Chari Smith. We will meet in Zoom room Gimel