Congregation Beth Ami

Education

Nursery School
Religious School K-7th
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Chaverim Teen Program
Adult Education

Beth Ami Community Nursery School

Since the first class of a half dozen children in 1979, our Nursery School has grown to five classes, from two-year olds to four-year olds. Representing more than sixty families. Enrollment is open to all pre-school aged children in the community. Our Nursery School program is designed to provide a rich and meaningful Jewish experience that enhances each child's understanding and appreciation of Jewish customs and traditions, not only through Shabbat and the joyous holiday festivals, but daily, through music, dance, stories, art, play and cooking. More information about Nursery School. Also see Tot Shabbat.

Religious School K-7th

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL is made up of both a grade school which encompasses children in grades kindergarten through 7th grade and a post B’nai Mitzvah (after Bat or Bar Mitzvah) Chaverim Program for children in grades 8 through 12. During grade school, we strive to create a positive learning and social environment and teach basic Jewish knowledge and skills. We aim to foster an understanding of Judaism’s diversity, providing role models to enable each child to find a place for him/herself. We focus on learning the language and rituals of Shabbat through the implementation of Shabbat School where, once each month, parents and children come together on Shabbat morning for worship and workshops. Our curriculum progresses through the grades addressing our history including our exile and return to Israel, the holidays, Torah, prayer and tzedakah (charity).

View Religious School Calendar for the school year 2007-08 (5768).

For the most recent, up-to-date calendar, view the Beth Ami online Calendar.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Importance of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah

The celebration of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah of your children is an important event in their lives and yours. It marks a turning point in their relation to the Jewish community and commitment to Jewish practice. It recognizes, as well, the changes in maturity affecting their ability to accept responsibility for moral-ethical and life decisions in the near and distant future. It is a rite of passage and a cause of celebration.

Your involvement in the entire process sends an important message to your children. It tells your children that this course of study is important to you. It doesn’t matter whether or not you know the Hebrew or the prayers yourself. The important thing is that your children feel your presence on this journey.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah participation in the service

It is expected that all students will learn to:

• Recite the blessing before and after the Torah reading.
• Read the Maftir (Bar/Bat Mitzvah portion) from the Torah using “trope” (musical accents).
• Recite the blessings before and after the Haftarah (Prophetic reading)
• Chant the Haftarah in Hebrew using the “trope” notations.
• Recite Kiddush for Shabbat morning.
• Prepare a D’var Torah, a speech reflecting their thoughts on the Torah portion, Haftarah portion, their Jewish life and the significance of becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, as well as a summary/introduction to the Torah and Haftarah.
• Lead the service, taking the Torah out of the Ark and returning it.

Candidates are encouraged to participate more fully in the service. This might include reading more extensively from the Torah and leading parts of the morning service (Shacharit) and/or Musaf.

In the case where a child experiences extreme difficulties learning to read Hebrew, changes in the degree of participation in the service and manner of preparation will be arranged in consultation with the Rabbi and the Religious School Director.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation

Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation is part of a rounded Jewish education and, as such, is part of the overall Religious School program.

Basic training will take place in Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. This class begins approximately one year prior to the student’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.

Regular attendance at Religious School classes and Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation, as well as at Shabbat morning services, is necesssary for becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Daily study and practice is needed and expected in Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. The amount of time needed for daily study will differ with each student. It is important for parents to monitor and be involved in their child’s work and progress.

Upon beginning preparation of his/her Haftarah, periodic meetings with the Rabbi will be scheduled. Approximately six months before the ceremony, they will become weekly. They provide for more intensive training as well as time for discussions preliminary to writing the D’var Torah.

There will be periodic meetings of the students and parents as a group throughout the Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. Parental involvement is imperative.

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Adult B’nai Mitzvah

Many of us have experienced our children going through their years of B'nai Mitzvah training, and we appreciate the amount of learning that is involved. We would like to share that experience. We are adults, and thus we bring a lifetime of experience to the rigor of learning Jewish skills. Doing so in a group can be a powerful means to explore our Jewish selves, and to form strong bonds within our community. Applying the discipline to learn Hebrew, study Torah, engage with our fellow students, and to see how it all fits into our 21st century lives is valuable to us as individuals, and to our synagogue as a vital Jewish institution.

And ultimately, participating in an adult B'nai Mitzvah group can allow us to wrestle with the central questions of being Jewish in the modern age. Does an understanding of Jewish ritual and ceremonial law bring us to an understanding of who we are, and the nature of humanity? Is the practice of Judaism essential to being Jewish? What, in fact, does it mean to be Jewish? Is the process of learning Hebrew and studying Torah still a path to understanding and growth?

Becoming a B'nai Mitzvah requires a significant commitment of time and effort, as well as a commitment to a group of peers. But with that commitment comes value and growth, for the individuals involved, and for Beth Ami as a community. If you want to explore this possibility, please contact the office and put your name on the list. It can be an exciting adventure.

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Chaverim Teen Program

Chaverim, a new program for 8th through 12th grade Sonoma County Jewish teens, provides a unique venue to inspire continued involvement in Jewish life, offering vibrant social and educational opportunities for Jewish youth. Members meet twice a month for a director-led peer dinner discussion evening, and meet monthly for social activities and community events. More about Chaverim.

View Chaverim Calendar of Events for the school year 2007-08.

Chaverim is a beneficiary of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties.

Adult Education

EACH YEAR the congregation creates new adult education programs. Beth Ami is also home to a long-standing book discussion group, as well as a thriving Israeli Dance program. Other areas that have been explored through workshops, classes and guest lecturers are Hebrew language, History, Philosophy, Yiddish, Bible Study, Art, Jewish living and even Jewish cooking. Please check our synagogue bulletin, the Shofar for specific courses and programs being offered and/or our online calendar.

More information is available in Social Activities.

© 2007 Congregation Beth Ami
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