Religous Education

חֲנֹ֣ךְ לַ֭נַּעַר עַל־פִּ֣י דַרְכּ֑וֹ גַּ֥ם כִּי־יַ֝זְקִ֗ין לֹֽא־יָס֥וּר מִמֶּֽנָּה׃

"Train a child in the way s/he ought to go; S/He will not swerve from it even in old age." Proverbs 22:6

       The Ruth and Lewis Davis Religious School provides a unique Jewish educational experience in a professional, caring, fun, and community-focused atmosphere.  Our small learning environment enables us to offer differentiated instruction and the flexibility to meet your children where they are in their Jewish journey. 

Our goal is to prepare our students to lead Jewish lives as mensches.

All students in 3rd Grade - 12th Grade who are enrolled in our religious school are automatically part of USY.

2024-2025 Religious School

& Youth Group Registration 

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GRADES K-2

Kindergarten-2nd Grade Judaic Classes are Sunday mornings from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM.

Through hands-on activities and experiences, students develop a strong foundation for Jewish learning. Students become familiar with Jewish Holidays and Traditions, Jewish Life Cycle, Parashat Hashavuah,  Hebrew Letters and so much more. Students are encouraged to attend Shabbat morning services monthly for Junior Congregation. 

Cost- $550 + $80 Safety & Security Fee

GRADES 3-6

Religious School classes are Sunday mornings from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM and Tuesday afternoons from 5 - 6:30 PM. In addition, we offer 30-minute private or group-setting Instructional Hebrew tutoring sessions (to be scheduled with each family). Students are encouraged to attend Shabbat morning services at least once a month for Junior Congregation.

Students will engage in an immersive curriculum based on Middot,through experiential and project-based learning. They will incorporate Hebrew vocabulary into their lessons as well as study Parshat HaShavua. 

Hebrew for 3^rd-6^th Grade: Our curriculum focuses on T’fila and prepares students to lead Shabbat services.  In addition to classroom Hebrew instruction on Sunday and Tuesday, students receive 30 minutes of individualized or group Hebrew Prayer reading instruction weekly.  Students begin to learn the Alef-Bet and reading concepts in 3^rd grade and then work at their own pace to learn prayers.  Each year builds upon the previous year.  In addition, students learn basic Hebrew vocabulary and language. 

Cost (3rd-5th Grades) - $1200 + $160 Safety & Security Fee + $136 Chaverim Dues (*$600 Additional for Private Hebrew Classes)

Cost (6th Grade) - $1200 + $160 Safety & Security Fee + $180 Gesher Dues (*$600 Additional for Private Hebrew Classes)

GRADES 7-8

Students will participate in 3 new and exciting programs that will take them on a journey throughout the year. Days and times will vary. Students are encouraged to attend Shabbat services and will have ample opportunities to lead on Friday night and Saturday morning.

·  Tzedek America's "Mitzvah Project Central" program will support our students in finding and participating in meaningful social justice and volunteer opportunities that will inspire them to become involved in an organization and/or cause that they will feel connected to for many years to come as part of their B'nai Mitzvah journey. Through individual Zoom sessions with a designated Tzedek America facilitator, students will be empowered to connect their Mitzvah Project to their B'nai Mitzvah studies through researching their Torah portion, Jewish values, and other areas of Jewish interest.

·  From March to Miriam is facilitated by the March of the Living, Southern Region -  a proud program of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Students will have the opportunity to be matched with a Holocaust survivor, creating opportunities for hands-on learning. They will deepen their understanding of the Holocaust by hearing testimonies from survivors. 

·  B’Mitzvah Family Education offers Jewish preteen family education to strengthen Jewish families and Jewish life and family education in the preteen years taught by Rabbi Baum. This curriculum is created by Moving Traditions. 

Cost - $360 + $80 Safety & Security Fee + $180 Gesher/USY Dues

GRADES 9-12

Kulam (meaning “Everyone”) is a curriculum provided by Moving Traditions that promotes shleimut (individual well-being), chesed (connection), and tzedek (just action) for Jewish high school students. Each session features dialogue prompts, games, Jewish texts, and other activities that focus on a specific area of social-emotional learning that resonates with teens and helps them learn to relate to and communicate with one another. Kulam equips Jewish teens to engage in dynamic and authentic relationships to think reflectively, act courageously, and develop healthy and caring communities. Kulam will meet monthly after Shabbat services for Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Baum and our facilitator. In addition, teens can assist in religious school classes for the younger students as MADRIKHIM/Teaching Assistants. Students will earn one community service hour for each hour working with a younger class. 

Cost - $360 + $80 Safety & Security Fee + $180 USY Dues

MEET THE TEACHERS

'Morah Marla' (Lindenbaum) was raised in Western Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Miami (Go Canes!) with a degree in Music Therapy. She has been involved in Jewish Education 'forever' and has taught Judaica/Preschool music in Broward County. She has taught all grades in Religious School as well as Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation in a Special Needs program for the South Broward area synagogues. She has been teaching at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh for 5 years, sharing her love of children, music, and Judaism.

Shalom! My name is Robin Koota, and I am so delighted to be part of the wonderful teaching staff at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh. I am very happy to be reunited with Executive Director/Religious School Director, Kim Beame, as we have worked together in Jewish Education for many years. Together we learned about the advantages of using hands-on materials and allowing students to take a more active approach to their learning. It is my hope that using these learning strategies with your children will enrich their experience while at Religious School. I am a public school teacher in West Boca Raton and I tutor students in Hebrew for preparation for B’nai Mitzvah. I am sure that my combined experience in teaching and understanding the structure of the Hebrew language and Torah trope, and my passion for Jewish music will bring a meaningful Religious School experience to your child. I look forward to meeting you soon.

Alex Kassander, a Jew-of-all-trades, recently married, newish CSK member, and filled with energy. His extracurricular as a Hebrew and Religious School teacher (grades pre-K -12) has had him teaching at synagogues in St. Louis, Orlando and now at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh. Working at Disney, his path spans leadership, mentoring, restaurant operations, and now, restaurant and retail technology, reflecting his passion for development. Outside of work, family, friends, and community building are his priorities.

My name is Yenth’l Garcia and I have been a Religious School teacher for 18 years. I have taught preschool and elementary school aged children in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties and have a Master of Science in Education from the University of Miami and Bachelor of Science in Music Eduacation from Florida International University. My son, Meir, is 9 years old and my daughter, Elka, is 4 years old. Ms. Kim Beame was my religious school teacher when I was a child and I am looking forward to working with her and your children as the Kindergarten thought 2^nd Grade teacher at Congregation Shaarei Kodesh.