Shalom!
Welcome to Temple B’nai Abraham Jewish Learning Program
Shalom!
Welcome to Temple B’nai Abraham Jewish Learning Program
We are a vibrant and joyful center of Jewish life and learning.The laughter and kehillah (community) of our children is perhaps our brightest and most precious jewel.
Jewish Learning Program (JLP) K-12
TEMPLE B’NAI ABRAHAM JEWISH LEARNING PROGRAM
Dear JLP Families,
Welcome to a new year at the Jewish Learning Program at Temple B’nai Abraham. We are a very blessed community. We are a vibrant and joyful center of Jewish life and learning. The laughter and kehillah (community) of our children is perhaps our brightest and most precious jewel.
The theme for this coming year is:
Loosely translated, this Psalm (89:3), reminds us that our world is built upon kindness or CHESED. While many of us send our children to the JLP and dream of ways in which our child will live Jewishly in the future, B’nai Mitzvah, Confirmation, perhaps a wedding, this is only one goal for the staff of the JLP.
Our hope is to educate compassionate, thoughtful and questioning Jews. We hope to show them that our world is often fragile and requires the loving embrace of humanity, the thoughtfulness of Jewish responses and the busy hands that can do the work of repair. We strive to help the children understand that our world is built first on kindness and love, as modeled for us in the very texts and prayers we teach.Through the rituals, stories and values of our people, we aim to connect them to a precious legacy that they will carry with them always. The JLP is a partnership. Your family is as important to us as your children. Be a part of our Jewish home!
Feel the energy of being together in a community that values every child and family. Your children will immediately understand the importance of Jewish life while watching you participate. As the year begins, please know, the doors of our program are open to your questions and concerns. We care deeply about the educational, emotional and spiritual well-being of your children. Feel free to reach out to us to make this a meaningful experience for you and your child.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year of growing the Jewish people even greater!
B’Shalom,
Morah Melissa
Melissa Gettinger Weiner
Director of Jewish Learning
Hanukkah Celebrations Around the World Explored at the JLP of TBA
After reinforcing the celebration of Hanukkah in the United States, children from the Jewish Learning Program of Temple B’nai Abraham explored how Hanukkah is celebrated around the world. Working in teams, this Project Based Lesson explored the culture, ritual, foods, geography and populations of countries from Afghanistan to Colombia to Morocco to Yemen. Students learned unique facts like fried plantains and a night of candles in Colombia, to the singular Jew still living in Afghanistan. Each team created a Hanukkiyah (Hanukkah Menorah) to represent their country. Rabbis Dantowitz and Vaisberg stopped by to choose some of their favorite country representations.
Melissa G. Weiner
Director of Jewish Learning
Educational Programs
Please click on “Read more” below for additional information, or contact Meilssa G. Weiner, Director of Jewish Learning, mweiner@tbanj.org or call 973.994.3950, for an appointment to visit our excellent educational programs.
RISHONIM: BEGINNINGS
Gan: Kindergarten Aleph: 1st Grade Bet: 2nd grade
Monday or Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 PM or 4:00-6:00 PM
Young children easily warm to the beauty of Judaism. While not mandatory, the importance of early education demonstrates that young children quickly absorb and engage in meaningful ways with their faith. We strongly encourage participation in our Primary Experiences. Children of non-members are welcome to participate in Kindergarten,First & Second grades.
SHORESHIM: ROOTS
Gimel: Third Grade Dalet: Fourth Grade Hey: Fifth Grade Vav: Sixth Grade
Mondays or Tuesdays, 4:00 -5:30 PM or 4:00-6:00 PM
Our elementary students spend their year in two primary ways. The first is our Shoreshim, or roots days. These days are meant to build strong knowledge about, and connections to, Judaism, while building community and friendships. Each week, students experiences core, grade level curriculum through hands-on, tactile and creative settings. All grades experience music, art, Jewish Makerspace, dance, modern Hebrew,prayer skills and Israel in creative and experiential ways. Specialists bring a variety of movement and hands-on activities each session.
MERCAZ IVRIT: HEBREW
Gimel: Third Grade Dalet: Fourth Grade Hey: Fifth Grade Vav: Sixth Grade
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
Hebrew links us with more than 3,000 years of identity as a distinct people. Even after we dispersed throughout the world without our own land or government, our use of Hebrew as the language of Torah and prayer united all Jews as one people. We teach Hebrew to continue this link – across time and space –– in worship and study. With that in mind, the JLP at TBA is excited to announce a new opportunity for our families. After four years of studying trends and growth in our students, the Board of Education and the Professional Staff determined that our children learn Hebrew best in small, individualized learning groups. Mercaz Ivrit grouping will meet once a week for 45 minutes. Classes will be limited to 5-6 students. We are proud that this program supports our belief that all children reach developmental skills at their own pace. Small groupings allow each child significant attention which will guide not only their Hebrew success, but also their emotional well-being. Our overall goal for each of our children is success with maximum and compassionate support! Group times are scheduled during registration.
Mechinah: Seventh Grade at TBA
Mondays, 4:00-5:30 PM or Tuesdays, 5:45-7:15 PM
Mechinah is the Hebrew word for preparation. The seventh grade year is really about preparation and a new beginning. Students are preparing to become Jewish adults, and with that comes the responsibility of thinking and feeling like a Jewish adult. The Mechinah Year is designed to help our young teens understand that Bar or Bat Mitzvah is not a culmination, but rather a launching pad for their Jewish life. Enrollment and completion of the seventh grade year is required to have your B’nai Mitzvah at Temple B’nai Abraham.
Program for Special Services: HaMercaz (The Center)
Mercaz, the special services program of The Temple B’nai Abraham Religious School, is a warm, nurturing Jewish learning environment dedicated to children with learning and physical differences in grades K-6, with consideration given to the Bar and Bat Mitzvah process.