Religious School Programs
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
Religious School | Hebrew School | B'nai Mitzvah | TIYuL | Confirmation | Madrachim
Religious School is for children in grades K through 12 and provides a dynamic learning environment that enriches the Jewish experience for our children as they navigate their way through the 21st century. The heart and soul of our Religious School is our students; we give them an incredible Reform Jewish educational foundation and take great pride in knowing that they are excited to be here to learn Judaism in a relaxed, casual atmosphere where the emphasis is on them.
Our experienced teachers have a love of Judaism and a passion for teaching, which makes learning a fun experience for everyone. All of our classes explore Jewish holidays, Torah, Israel, tzedakah, mitzvot, and Jewish history, instilling a lasting and positive feeling about being Jewish. We also focus on experiential learning opportunities that take Jewish education to a new level by infusing art, cooking, and music into the program.
We're here to help. Interested in learning more? Contact Temple Israel Religious & Hebrew School Director, Sidni Weglarz at: sweglarz@ti-stl.org or 314-432-8076.
Religious School
K-6th Grade
Students begin Religious School in Kindergarten. During 3rd-6th grade, students will attend a small Hebrew learning group where they learn to read Hebrew and delve into the meaning of the prayers, which prepares them well for becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Our Religious School program will give our students a chance to learn with their grade-level classmates and a chance for them to choose a chug (elective) activity that they are interested in exploring more.
Religious School Schedule: Kindergarten through 6th grade will meet on Sundays, 9:30 am - 11:30 am.
8th & 9th Grade
8th & 9th grades meet two Sunday mornings per month and discuss the Jewish-American experience, the myriad of ways Jews practice Judaism, as well as understand and learn about the many other religions practiced throughout the world.
B’nai Mitzvah (7th)
The B’nai Mitzvah is individualized and includes mitzvah, worship, and learning opportunities.
Confirmation (10th)
Confirmation is an important year of Jewish education, which is why Rabbis Michael and Amy have committed to teaching those years of students personally.
See below for more details on this program.
Hebrew School
Temple Israel’s Hebrew Program: Small Group Learning
We are thrilled to continue our new Hebrew School Program. Students will have the chance to learn Hebrew in small Hebrew learning groups or in private tutoring. Through individualized attention and a flexible schedule, children in our new Hebrew program will learn Hebrew letters, vowels and their sounds, how to write in Hebrew, and age-appropriate prayers in preparation for B’nai Mitzvah.
WHO is this program for?
TI’s Hebrew Program is for all children in the 3rd-6th grade who are also members of Temple Israel. Registration in this program is encouraged and required in order for students in the TI community to become B’nai Mitzvah.
- WHAT does the program entail?
Hebrew learning group: Students will meet with their Hebrew learning group on a weekly basis to work towards the learning goals. Each group learning session will be 1 hour in length. Students and tutors will work together to meet learning goals and will do so through a variety of hands-on and engaging activities. Students and tutors will be placed together based on learning style, personality, schedule, and Hebrew level.
- 3rdgrade: Students in 3rd grade will be assigned to a small Hebrew learning group. The smaller group will allow for more individualized Hebrew attention while also allowing for peer interaction.
- 4th5th 6th grades: Students in these grades can choose between individual tutoring sessions or Hebrew learning groups. The Hebrew learning groups will be created based primarily on Hebrew level with additional input from families. There will be an additional cost to the family for private tutoring.
Please Note:
- Hebrew learning groups will be 5-8 students assigned to 1 tutor, at a mutually agreed upon time and location.
- Hebrew learning groups will be at the tutor/director’s discretion, based on Hebrew assessment.
- Siblings in different grades or at different Hebrew levels cannot be placed in the same Hebrew learning group but every effort will be made to schedule their sessions at a similar time if desired.
- Friday night Shabbat service attendance and participation: Students enrolled in our Hebrew program will have the opportunity to attend and help lead Friday night services 1-2 times per year, once the Temple Israel building is open for services. Their tutor will work to prepare students to lead the community. The goal of this component is to help the children become comfortable leading the congregation from the bimah and will help the tutor/director assess the learning goals.
- Assessments: Students in the Hebrew program will constantly be assessed by their tutor to make sure the child is progressing as expected, and to ensure that the group dynamic is setting up each child for success. In addition, each student will be assessed individually by the child’s tutor and school director 3 times per year: September, December, and May. Performing these assessments will help the tutor and director keep the child on track and adjust the curriculum or learning goals as needed.
WHERE do these tutoring sessions and Hebrew learning groups take place?
Tutoring sessions will be held at a mutually agreed-upon place between the family and the tutor. Most of the Hebrew learning groups will take place at Temple Israel. There will also be options for your child to meet virtually.
WHEN do these tutoring sessions take place?
The goal of this new program is to provide families and students with the ultimate flexibility. We know that families have many commitments, and we are designing this program so learning Hebrew can be prioritized without having to give up other afterschool activities your child may also love and need.
Below are the time blocks available for our learning sessions; please remember that each session will be one hour:
Tuesday and Wednesday: 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sundays: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
WHY should I sign my child up for this program?
The overall goal of our Religious School experience is to foster a love of being Jewish in each and every child who walks through our doors. We want our students to feel proud of their Judaism and to be knowledgeable and confident Jews. Our students learn about Jewish holidays, Jewish history, Israel, Torah, Mitzvot, Tzedakah and Hebrew, all while experiencing meaningful, hands-on lessons.
Part of building a sense of Jewish self-esteem in each child, is familiarity with Hebrew and many of the prayers we recite together as a Jewish community. Our goal with this program is to inculcate children with a passion for being Jewish, deeply rooted in the ability to read Hebrew and pray together with a community. In addition, all children who wish to become B’nai Mitzvah at Congregation Temple Israel must be enrolled and an active participant in our Tutoring program.
B’nai Mitzvah (Bar/Bat Mitzvah)
The B’nai Mitzvah program is a journey that begins when your child enters Religious School and culminates around the time that your child turns 13. Participating in the program is a really exciting thing; your child will study with the Rabbis and learn about the laws and legends of the Jewish people. Most lessons are hands-on and include discussion on important ideas in sports and popular culture and how they relate to Torah.
Your child will also learn what Torah has to say about important topics such as current events and how Jewish values can be applied in today's world. We will read plays and watch musicals; we will go on field trips; and we will learn the meaning of friendship, holiness, and respect. This program helps to build self-esteem and provides the tools to become a Jewish leader.
Temple Israel Youth Leadership (TIYuL) Program
For young adults in grades 8-12
Temple Israel’s Youth Leadership program “TIYuL” – also a Hebrew word meaning “journey” – offers hands-on, creative learning opportunities from local Jewish leaders and experts, and explores the many exciting ways to see and understand the world through a Jewish lens along life’s journey. We’re offering five 3-session mini-mesters throughout the 2023-24 school year, each with three electives from which to choose.
- All mini-mesters take place on pre-selected Tuesdays from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm.
- Each mini-mester culminates with a pizza party and lounge night from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Temple Israel.
- $100 per mini-mester per student.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a program for students in 10th grade and consists of community building, learning, worship, fun, social action, and travel. The goals, curriculum, and themes are created with our student’s input and are geared toward providing experiential learning that is meaningful to the class as a whole.
The Confirmation class also takes a group trip to New York City, led by Rabbi Michael and Rabbi Amy, on which students experience a vast array of Jewish lifestyles, ritual, and learning in diverse Jewish communities.
Schedule: More information coming soon.
Confirmation Class Trip Cost: Approximately $500 (may change depending on locations and current travel expenses)
We're here to help. Interested in learning more? Contact Temple Israel Religious & Hebrew School Director, Sidni Weglarz at: sweglarz@ti-stl.org or 314-432-8076.
Madrichim/Teacher's Assistant
Paid position for students in grades 9-12
Students in grades 9 through 12 will have the opportunity to serve as madrichim (teacher's assistants) in Religious School classrooms. As madrichim, high schoolers will build leadership skills, give back to their community, and increase their knowledge of how Jewish values can shape their lives, as well as help implement lesson plans, tutor younger students, and serve as mentors. Teens will develop close personal relationships through social programs and participation in local and regional North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) events. They will also engage in tikkun olam through a variety of community service outings, all of which will be infused with Jewish values and ethics.
The Madrichim Program is available for all students in grades 9-12. Madrichim will be joining Religious School classes that will meet on Sunday mornings, 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Please email Sidni Weglarz, Director of Religious and Hebrew School at: sweglarz@ti-stl.org
Fees: No Fee for this program (For Confirmation Students fee, see above.)
Interested in serving as a Madrachim?
Click here to download an application and submit your completed form to Sidni Weglarz at: sweglarz@ti-stl.org
We're here to help. Interested in learning more? Contact Temple Israel Religious & Hebrew School Director, Sidni Weglarz at: sweglarz@ti-stl.org or 314-432-8076.
*Confidential scholarship assistance is available by contacting Lesley Goldenberg or one of our Rabbis at 314-432-8050.
Please note, you must be a Temple Israel member to complete online Religious School registration -- more info at www.ti-stl.org/Join.
