Our B’Yahad Religious School Program is a new way of learning for our youth that is designed to make the traditional Religious School model more experiential, relevant, and fun for our children. “B’Yahad”, meaning “Together,” builds on the synagogue’s tagline and vision: “Living Y/Our Judaism Together” by integrating the successful programs we run for youth and families: USY (Youth Group), Mishpacha (Family Programs), and Shabbat and Holiday Programs.
Curriculum
Our spiraled curriculum preserves the high-quality teaching of foundational skills that encourages each students to live Jewishly: reading Hebrew, applying the values of Torah and rabbinics, Tzedakah (charity), and Mitzvot (commandments) to their lives, and enhancing their relationship with God through the learning and practice of traditional prayer.
Hebrew and Tefilla (prayer) are taught by skill level, allowing for students to progress at their own pace, with individualized attention to each student. The Hebrew focus is on reading, with prayer book comprehension in older grades. The Tefillah focus is on service participation and leadership, as well as having an appreciation and understanding of the meaning of each prayer.
Students share and celebrate the Jewish holidays throughout the year with hands-on learning and experiences, along with units throughout the year on Israel and Jewish history.
Torah and Judaics are taught using a 3-year spiraled curriculum
Preschool Program: This program will be open to children who are potty trained through Pre-K and is a play-based learning experience with Judaic enrichment for young children.
K-2 students have a separate learning experience on Sundays that provides a foundation for religious studies including an introduction to the synagogue, basic Jewish ideals and concepts, values and mitzvot, Jewish customs and ceremonies, prayer and Hebrew reading readiness. This structure is also part of our 3-year spiraled curriculum.
3rd-6th grade students are combined for group instruction to introduce units with experiential activities, and then broken up into smaller groups for age-appropriate discussions and activities.
The B’Yahad Experience
Preschool through 2nd grade students attend on Sunday mornings, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
3rd-6th grade students attend on Sunday mornings in person, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and Tuesday afternoons online, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
7th-8th grade Students attend on Sunday mornings, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. for a combination of activities including Jewish Teen Identity Workshops, B’nai Mitzvah Class, Madrichim-in-Training, Jewish Leadership Skills, and Israel and Holocaust Education.
Madrichim Program for High School Students
Our high school students are offered an opportunity to work as paid interns and leaders within our B’Yahad program. Madrichim work closely with our younger students to serve as role models and tutors as they lead small group discussions, activities, and help students progress in their Hebrew and Tefilla with one-on-one tutoring. Each of our Madrichim is given a role that is tailored to their own strengths in a supportive environment that helps our future Jewish leaders grow as leaders and expand their own expression of Judaism.
Confirmation
Students in 9th & 10th Grade may participate in this post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah study program with Rabbi Metz.
High school students, if you are interested in our Madrichim or Confirmation Programs, contact Nichole Chorny.