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)
enrollment for 5784 is now closed
Shabbat School Quick Links
Shabbat School Parent Handbook 2023-24
Family Calendar 2023-24 (5784) updated 9/14/23
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.
Thu, September 28 2023
13 Tishrei 5784
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Todah Rabah, High Holidays Survey, Sukkot, and More
Todah Rabah!
Many thanks to the many, many people who made High Holidays happen at the Tiffany Center, our own building
Correction to Hineinu: Rosh Hashanah Family Service Start Time and RSVP Link
Correction
Our Rosh Hashanah Family Service Starts at 10:30 am
Our Rosh Hashanah Family Service—aimed e
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2023
Thursday, Sep 28th 4:00p to 6:00p
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 28 , 2023
Thursday, Sep 28th 5:30p to 6:45p
Our Havurah Sukkah is a place of meditation, meals, song, and community. Get together with other Havurahniks to make it look fantastic and feel as special to be in as it is. RSVP to receive details as the date comes closer. -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023
Shabbat, Sep 30th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link, email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023
Shabbat, Sep 30th 3:00p to 5:15p
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Saturday ,
SepSeptember 30 , 2023
Shabbat, Sep 30th 3:10p to 4:30p
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Monday ,
OctOctober 2 , 2023
Monday, Oct 2nd 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! -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 3 , 2023
Tuesday, Oct 3rd 7:30p to 8:45p
Jewish text study is similar to tuning a radio. Each type of text—TaNaKH (Bible), Rabbinic Literature (Midrash and Talmud), Medieval Commentary (Rashi, ibn Ezra, Nachmanides) and Mystical (Kabbalistic and Hasidic)—operates on a different frequency. Each seeks to clarify what we are hearing about the world, following a set of rules. Each reads the world’s signals. We will spend two weeks tuning into specific passages from the four genres. Hebrew is not necessary for this overview , although we will read some of the “greatest hits” together in the original. Transistor radios preferred to digital, because we are all subject to static. Led by Rabbi Joey Wolf. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 4 , 2023
Wednesday, Oct 4th 7:30p to 8:30p
Note the number of adults, teens, and kids attending when you sign up! -
Thursday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2023
Thursday, Oct 5th 5:30p to 7:30p
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2023
Thursday, Oct 5th 6:30p to 8:30p
More info to come. Contact: Karen Sherman.