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4645 Industrial Street #2C, Simi Valley, 805-581-3723

Religious Education Program

Click here for the complete school calendar for 2008-2009.


Congregation B'nai Emet Religious School provides a program aimed at developing concepts that will strengthen the fabric of Jewish life and ensure the future of Judaism. Our goal is to deepen the Jewish experience and knowledge of students in order to strengthen their faith in God, love of Torah and identification with the Jewish people through involvement in the synagogue and participation in Jewish life.

The School provides classes for Kindergarten through Judaica High School. With the exception of Judaica High School, classes are held on Sundays for three hours, including a half-hour morning service, a Judaica session based on the child's grade in public school and a session of Hebrew based on the child's competence. Grades 8-10 (Judaica High School) attend class weekly on Monday evenings.

Curriculum

Kindergarten and First Grades

In Judaica, Bible personalities are studied, with emphasis on the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. Shabbat and holidays, with an emphasis on home celebration and symbols of the holidays, are learned. Values are studied through the giving of Tzedakah. Basic Hebrew Blessings, holiday vocabulary and the first ten letters of the Alef-bet comprise the curriculum in the Hebrew session. 

Second and Third Grades
Judaica teaches the uniqueness of Judaism, the concept of Mitzvah and some of the most important Mitzvot are emphasized, such as peace at home, telling the truth, repairing the world, honoring parents and Tzedakah. The history and major concepts of each holiday and how we relate to them are also studied. In Hebrew, the Alef-bet, vowels and reading of basic prayers are emphasized.

Fourth and Fifth Grades
Judaica explores some of the Jewish characters in the Bible, the situation with which they were confronted, what might we do in their place, and how these stories have relevance to our lives. Holidays are reviewed, with an emphasis on the social, political and religious aspects of each. Additional Hebrew prayers are introduced.

 
 
Sixth and Seventh Grades
The Torah is reviewed in depth, with the study of its importance and relevance to us as Jews today, its basis for our beliefs, its structure and basic familiarity. Biblical history is begun. More prayers are studied in preparation for the child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah service.
 
 
 

Judaica High School
This program involves a three-year cycle of classes for all students 13-16 years of age. The courses of study include the Holocaust, Sayings of the Fathers, Jewish ethics and Judaism in modern society. Upon completion, students receive their confirmation at a ceremony held at a Friday Night service. 

B'nai Mitzvah
One year prior to the actual date of the bar or bat mitzvah, students will start attending B'nai Mitzvah Class for one hour, 12:15-1:15, in addition to the regular Sunday schedule. The class will study the meaning of becoming a Jewish adult as well as learn additional prayers and melodies.

Students are monitored and tutored individually in preparation for their special day. Additional tutoring is available during the week as the big day approaches. 

Milestones in Jewish Education

Each class will help conduct one Friday Night Shabbat service each year. At this service, the class will demonstrate achievement of the following milestones, based upon their level in school:

Kindergarten and First Grades

Students will participate in a consecration by reciting blessings, simple prayers and songs in English & Hebrew. They receive little torahs as well as certificates to welcome them to religious school.

Second and Third Grades
Hebrew and Siddur Initiation. Students will participate by leading some prayers and songs in Hebrew and English. Third graders receive beaded necklaces with their Hebrew names.

 

Fourth and Fifth Grades

Bible Initiation - Students will conduct much of the service. Fourth graders make their own prayer shawls and Fifth graders receive their own prayerbooks.

Sixth and Seventh Grades
Graduation - Sixth grade students present a Purim pantomime. Seventh graders will conduct their graduation service and read prayers they have written.
 
Eight through Tenth Grades

Confirmation - Held during Shavuot, all Judaica High School students will participate in a Torah service and confirmands will present a special program.

Field Trips
Depending on their ages, students will take supervised trips to local places of Jewish interest to take advantage of the many opportunities for Jewish learning available in the Los Angeles area.
 At the Skirball Museum
 
Questions Regarding School:
If you have any questions concerning your child's Jewish education time, please feel free to leave a message for the Vice President of Schools at (805) 581-3723 or contact School Administrator Meridith Patera at mspatera@earthlink.net.

   Meridith Shaw Patera has been involved in Jewish education since 1969, following her junior year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. A native of Long Island, NY, she received a BA in Political Science with a certificate in Middle Eastern Studies and an MAT in Social Sciences and Hebrew from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She has taught preschool through adults in public, Jewish day and congregational schools in New York, Florida, Texas and now in California. She has been with CBE Religious School since 1988 and became School Administrator in 1992. Meridith is the author of two books, Kings and Things: 20 Plays for Jewish Kids, and Skits and Shpiels,14 Plays for Grades 4 to 9, and several plays for adults. She lives in Moorpark with her sons Bennett, Sam and Max.