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Religious School
Religious School Information:
From Kindergarten through High School, Temple Beth El provides our students with a foundation to experience the joy, pride and appreciation of being Jewish. A wealth of Jewish traditions, history, Bible, Hebrew, music and holiday celebrations are shared by classmates as they discover the richness and uniqueness of our heritage. It is our goal that all students feel an enthusiastic connection to this Temple as a house of study, of Jewish observance and prayer, and a place to come together in a Jewish peer community – to meet and socialize.
An introduction to Hebrew begins in 3rd grade. Reading skills and prayer mastery are emphasized to enable our students to lead our congregation in worship. After becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah, our students continue religious education through Confirmation in 10th grade and then through graduation at the end of twelfth grade. Our Monday evening High School program strengthens the commitment of our teenagers (grades 8-12) to Judaism. Through thought-provoking discussion of compelling contemporary social and religious issues, our young people are exposed to the wisdom of Jewish texts as a source of guidance for today’s world. Judaism’s hope for the future is our youth. Those who feel a strong emotional tie to our religion and our people will continue their involvement and affiliation as Jewish adults. At Temple Beth El we strive to enlighten, educate and involve our children.
Susan Cosden, RJE is our Director of Education. She is a graduate of Swarthmore College with a major in Asian Studies, of Chapman University with a credential in teaching, and of Hebrew Union College Rhea Hirsch School of Education with a Masters in Jewish Education. Her sixteen years as a Jewish educator include extensive experience in curriculum development, teacher training, family education and adult education. Susan served as Director of Lifelong Learning for Congregation B’nai Israel in Sacramento, CA; Temple Sinai in Palm Desert, CA and Congregation Kol Ami in Vancouver, WA.
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