Religious School

Special Events and Programs

1. Consecration for New Students in Temple Israel's Education Program, or at a Jewish Day School
The Temple Israel community welcomed and honored our newest learners (both at Temple Israel and at area Jewish day schools!) in a very special Consecration Ceremony before our Simchat Torah service on Wednesday, October 19, at 6:00 p.m. Consecration marks the initiation of a child to Jewish study. In Pirke Avot, Ethics of our Ancestors, we read, "at five years old (one is fit) for (the study of) the Torah." In this tradition, Consecration welcomes a child to the joy of Jewish learning with sweetness (honey) and fun (a child-sized Torah).

Photographs by Ellen Shub

2. Grade-Wide Qabbalat Shabbat Services:
Here at Temple Israel we would love to help our students and their families experience and engage themselves with all that Shabbat has to offer us as a People, as a family and as individuals.

In order to help intertwine the beauty of Shabbat and the friendships that are being created and strengthened in and out of the classrooms, we will continue to have grade wide Qabbalat Shabbat services. In the weeks leading up to each grade-wide service, your child's teachers will be involved in helping the kids prepare a prayer or blessing that they will lead with our Clergy from the Bima. In addition to the special grade wide Qabbalat Shabbat services, each student will be requested to attend at minimum, the number of services equal to the number of their grade level, e.g., Kindergarten and Grade 1, at least one service, Grade 2, at least 2 services, etc. The grade wide service mentioned above will be included into the total services requested. These requests are an integral part of the Jewish Education at Temple Israel and the Bar and Bat Mitzva preparation process. The 7th grade has a slightly separate schedule and request regarding Shabbat services that can be found in the Bar/Bat Mitzva handbook.

We ask that you approach this opportunity with excitement and a positive outlook. We recognize and cherish the fact that Shabbat is an opportunity for families to spend quality time together. Our hope is that you will recognize Qabbalat Shabbat participation as an opportunity to join with the Temple Israel community and as an extension of sacred family time.

Grade-Wide Qabbalat Shabbat Dates 2011-12:

Grade K - 3/30/2012

Grade 1 - 11/4/2011

Grade 2 - 12/2/2011

Grade 3 - 1/20/2012

Grade 4 - 2/3/2012

Grade 5 - 3/9/2012

Grade 6 - 5/18/2012

Yom HaMoreh (Teacher Appreciation Qabbalat Shabbat) - 5/11/2012

LAST YEAR'S EVENTS IN PICTURES

GRADE 7 STEP UP - EREV SHAVUOT, JUNE 7, 2011