Hebrew School

Ahavat Yitzhak, Kehillat Beijing’s Hebrew School, is dedicated to providing a rewarding, enriching and meaningful Jewish education and experience for children and their families.

As students learn about the holidays and Hebrew, they will also learn about other basics of Jewish life, including Shabbat observance, Tzedakah, and Kashrut. We hope to foster the development of Jewish ethical and moral standards spiritual and emotional growth through honest questioning and discussion, a love for the State of Israel, its land and its people, understanding of their role within the community, respect for diversity within the Jewish and general communities, and the joy of being Jewish.

We are a community school in the best sense of the word. As with its affiliated congregation, Kehillat Beijing, your involvement makes a big difference. If your children see you volunteering and participating, it helps them to feel more connected to the school and the larger Jewish community. Please let us know if you would be willing to give some of your time and energy to making this year a success, either in school or in Kehillat Beijing activities.

For detailed curriculum and schedule information, please see below. We are always available to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

Carmen Dicinque & Kathi Levitan
school@sinogogue.org
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Tuition
Tuition for one child is $450. This includes school materials, building fees, food, books, cleaning fees and teacher salaries. If you are a member of Kehillat Beijing, tuition is $350 per child. Please speak with the School Coordinator should you have difficulty meeting tuition obligations. Tuition is tax deductible under extent allowable for US tax purposes.

Online payment is preferred.  Please contact the School Coordinator for other arrangements.

Type

Kehillat Member – 1 Child $350.00 Kehillat Member – 2 Children $700.00 Kehillat Member – 3 Children $1,050.00 Non-Member – 1 Child $450.00 Non-Member – 2 Children $900.00 Non-Member – 3 Children $1,350.00

School Year

School Curriculum
As the children attending Hebrew school from year to year fluctuate both in number, age, and exposure to Jewish learning, children may be placed in groupings that may include a range of ages. We will always endeavor to place your child in a group that is appropriate both in terms of their age and previous experiences. In addition to classroom activities, the entire Ahavat Yitzhak community will participate in group activities, such as Tzedakah projects, holiday programs, etc.

Ages 4-5 – Kitah Alef: Students will explore Judaism through their senses, learning about Shabbat and the Jewish holiday cycle through a multi-sensory approach. They will be introduced to the Torah, including some basic brachot (prayers), Jewish song and dance, Bible stories, and beginning Hebrew instruction.

Ages 6-8 – Kitah Bet: Students will delve further into Bible stories, exploring some of the themes as they relate to Jewish life and the holiday cycle. They will continue with Hebrew instruction and begin to read simple Hebrew words. In addition, they will learn more about Jewish dietary laws, basic prayers, and songs so that they can participate more in the service.

Ages 9-11 – Kitah Gimel: Students will explore the importance of Torah in our lives through discussion of the weekly parasha (Torah portion). They will learn more about Jewish history and the founding of the State of Israel as well as continuing to explore themes related to the holiday cycle and Shabbat.

Ages 12-Bar/Bat Mitzvah – Kitah Dalet: Students will advance their Jewish learning by focusing on Jewish history and ethics, with discussions related to specific teachings from the Tanach. The students will be encouraged to assume a leadership role in tikkum olam (repairing the world) and tzedakah (charity). Hebrew studies will continue with a special emphasis on instruction relevant to preparation for Bar/Bat-Mitzvah.

Ages 14 and up – (Post Bar/Bat-Mitzvah): Students may continue to learn and participate in the school by becoming teaching assistants in the classroom. This is a valuable experience and puts Jewish values in action in serving the community while at the same time continuing to further their education. Teaching assistants may choose to receive payment or community service hours for their time.

Attendance
Regular school attendance is expected. Frequent absences disrupt the class and prevent a child from getting the most out of his/her Hebrew School experience.

School Calendar 2009-2010
School will be in session on the following dates:

• Sept 13 – High holiday learning
• Oct 18, 25
• Nov 1,8, 15, 22, 29
• Dec 6, 13
• Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
• Feb 7, 28 (Purim fair)
• March 7, 14, 21, 28 (Passover celebration)
• April 11, 18, 25
• May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Final session)

School Location and hours
Classes are Sundays 9:30-11:30 AM
All classes are held at Ganeinu International School, at Grand Hill Villas.

Code of Conduct

• Be helpful and show respect for others
• Behave with courtesy and kindness
• Eat only in designated areas
• Please do not bring food into the building. It is a Kosher facility.
• Dress appropriately
• Be punctual
• Respect the property of the school and of other people.

Appropriate Behavior
If a student is so disruptive that the teacher is prevented from teaching class, the student will be sent to the School Coordinator and the parent will be notified.

Tzedakah Projects
Our children will be involved in several schoolwide Tzedakah Projects. Be on the lookout for the very large Tzedakah box that your children can contribute to on a weekly basis.

A Guide for Supportive Parents

1. Show your support and enthusiasm for your child’s Jewish education. Take an interest in what they are doing.
2. Convey to your child that you have confidence in and respect for the teaching staff at the school. Make sure your children know you trust their new teacher and know that they are entering a safe environment.
3. Visit your child’s class and attend school wide activities. (Holiday programs, Tzedakah Projects, etc)
4. Discuss Jewish issues at home.
5. Read Jewish-themed books. Share books with friends and talk about Jewish issues (a moral question, current events, stories about your family).
6. Listen to the evaluations of your child’s teacher. More often than not a child acts differently at home than at school.
7. Our children are Judaism’s most important resource and our hopes and dreams for our Jewish future. Ahavat Yitzchak is dedicated to building a warm, comfortable and positive climate for Jewish experiences and learning. Parents are a necessary ingredient to make our efforts successful.