Children's education

The Shabbat Shalom School is modeled on a family, with a focus on developmentally appropriate, inter-age activities to meet the needs and excite the imagination of each child. 

Students who complete the program will have the knowledge and skills required to be full participants in Jewish life in the home and the synagogue. They will be familiar with Jewish texts, history, and traditions, and be fluent readers of prayerbook Hebrew. In addition, children will be comfortable with the liturgy and melodies of worship. They will be fully prepared to participate in a year of study with Cantor Linda Semi, culminating in an opportunity to celebrate as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah on our bimah.

Classes are held Sunday mornings from 9:45 through 12:00 noon.  Each week the children will have the opportunity to explore a different theme centered around holidays, tradition, bible stories, and Jewish history. Learning takes place through many activities including crafts, music, and drama. 

Throughout the year children and families are invited to join the congregation as a whole at both Shabbat and holiday services. At the services, the children have the opportunity to participate in the service in meaningful ways. They participate in the Torah procession and are invited onto the bimah to help lead prayers, to dance during "L'dor V'dor," and to receive a blessing and a treat, or lead the congregation in singing holiday songs. 

In addition to our regular Sunday classes, we also have Sundays where the focus is tikkun olam.  We may do a beach clean up or volunteer at our local food bank. 

Post-b'nai-mitzvah students are offered a Confirmation class, culminating after two years in a Confirmation service. The curriculum for each year is developed by the students in consultation with their teacher to address their particular needs, interests, and questions. 

Express B'nai Mitzvah Preparation Program