“AND YOU SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY”
– Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:7
Limud, or Learning, is one of Temple Beth Torah’s most cherished Jewish values. We believe that exploring our Jewish heritage and spirituality is a life-long journey and, therefore, we provide educational programs for congregants of all ages – from our tiniest tots to our wisest seniors. Our educational programs include:
Torah Tots
Art and music program for children ages 2 through 5 years and their families.
Torah Dor L’Dor
(Torah Generation to Generation)
Religious school for grades Kindergarten through High School.
B-Mitzvah Program
Multi-year preparation program for becoming a B-Mitzvah (also known as Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah) around the age of 13.
Lifelong Jewish Learning
Adult education programs offered throughout the year. Religious school for grades Kindergarten through High School.
Holidays
Art Projects
Music
Stories
Calling all families with children ages 2 through 5!
Join us on Sunday mornings throughout the school year to learn about and celebrate Judaism. Through crafts, stories, music, and lots of fun, we learn about key Jewish holidays and concepts in an inviting and accepting environment.
Registration for Torah Tots is required; however, Torah Tot families are not required to be members of Temple Beth Torah.
Click HERE to register today (Button for new form on site)
Religious School
Torah Dor L’Dor (Torah Generation to Generation), Temple Beth Torah’s Religious School, provides a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment for Jewish students in Kindergarten through Grade 10 to learn the customs, traditions, and history of Judaism. Our teachers are committed to providing a Jewish education tailored to meet the needs of each student while simultaneously fostering the strengthening and growth of our community. TBT students are considered valuable members of the TBT family and a key component of our synagogue’s vibrant and diverse spirit.
Our amazing staff bring fun and engaging Jewish education to the next generation of the Jewish community through our student-focused curriculum. Teachers tailor classes to meet the needs of all our students by building activities and assignments that meet student learning preferences and adapt to learning challenges. Our in-house experts in all aspects of Judaic and Hebrew Studies as well as special education provide regular advice and solutions to our teachers to make our program successful for all our students.
Kindergarten
through Third Grade
Our younger students focus on learning Jewish holidays, Torah stories, Jewish values, and Hebrew letters through fun crafts, books, and music. Each year builds upon the year before while reintroducing concepts each year to reinforce knowledge retention as well as welcome students just beginning their Jewish education in any grade.
Fourth through Seventh Grade
Beginning in 4th Grade, our students begin to learn Jewish History and read Torah in English from the TaNaKH (Jewish bible). Additionally, students begin formal Hebrew Studies in Grade 4 starting with mastering the Hebrew Alephbet. In Grades 5-7, students progress from reading simple Hebrew words through reading and chanting prayers in preparation for their B-Mitzvah. Our individualized system is designed to meet each student’s needs to ensure success. Using different techniques – verbal, visual, and tactile – our teachers tailor lessons to each student in an individualized approach that meets each student’s needs to ensure success.
Eighth through Ninth Grade
At TBT, Jewish education continues beyond B-Mitzvah with most of our students returning for 8th through 10th Grade. In grades 8 and 9, students study World Religions one year and Jewish Denominations the other year, including field trips to experience other religious centers and synagogues.
Confirmation
In 10th Grade, students spend the year preparing for Confirmation with Rabbi Lauren. Through discussions centered on modern day events and students’ personal experiences, the class explores what it means to be Jewish today and how each student connects to Judaism in their life. The year concludes with the Confirmation Service, on Shavuot in May/June, in which students lead the service and provide remarks that confirm their connection and dedication to Judaism.
Registration
Registration for Torah Dor L’Dor is open year round to welcome new students at any time of the school year. All student families are required to become members of Temple Beth Torah in addition to paying the fees associated with the religious school.
Religious school registration forms can be found below. Additional details may be discussed by contacting our Religious School Director: school@bethtorah.net
Membership application forms can be found below. To learn more about membership, please visit our JOIN page or email our Membership Coordinator: membership@bethtorah.net
B-Mitzvah Program
Young Adult B-Mitzvah
Becoming a B-Mitzvah Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is about taking responsibility as a Jewish young adult and showing our commitment to participating in the Jewish life. At Temple Beth Torah (TBT), we lovingly refer to B-Mitzvah as the beginning of the Adult-in-Training Program as it marks a teen’s transition from dependent child to independent adult. We view B-Mitzvah as a milestone along our student’s Jewish education path and not an end point as they have only just begun to truly understand what it means to be Jewish.
To celebrate becoming a B-Mitzvah and to demonstrate they are ready, our children lead a Shabbat morning service, bless and read from the Torah scroll, and give a d’var Torah (brief explanation of their Torah portion). It is customary to invite the student’s family and friends to attend this service. Embracing the interfaith attendance at these services, Rabbi Lauren explains everything from the direction of the prayer book pages to the meaning behind some of our most sacred prayers to create a welcoming atmosphere for all B-Mitzvah attendees.
At TBT, we understand that each student is unique and that our students are generally busy these days. While we encourage as much engagement as possible in our religious school and services, we do not require a minimum number of years or specific number of days of attendance in our religious school nor do we require attending a minimum number of services. We do require that your family work with Rabbi Lauren and our B-Mitzvah Coordinator to determine the goals for your student to ensure they are ready and able to achieve this important milestone to the best of their ability.
Please contact our B-Mitzvah Coordinator INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS to discuss your child’s becoming B-Mitzvah.
Adult B-Mitzvah
Celebrating becoming a B-Mitzvah can happen at any age after 13 years old. Today, many adults, especially those reconnecting with or new to Judaism, elect to participate in a similar to process as our young adults in order to achieve this milestone. Temple Beth Torah offers an Adult B-Mitzvah class every few years and Rabbi Lauren is happy to work with any adults in between classes who would like private tutoring in years between class offerings.
The Adult B-Mitzvah class consists of weekly Zoom sessions with Rabbi Lauren covering topics of Jewish ritual, prayer, and instruction in reading Hebrew. The class decides if they would like to conclude with one, group B-Mitzvah service in which all students participate or if they would like to hold individual services. During an Adult B-Mitzvah service, students will lead prayers, read a verse or two from Torah, bless the Torah, provide short remarks, and be blessed by Rabbi Lauren in the way our ancestors have been since Moses blessed Aaron.
If you are interested in an Adult B-Mitzvah service, please contact Rabbi Lauren at rabbi@bethtorah.net
Lifelong Learning
Temple Beth Torah offers adults multiple learning opportunities throughout the year. Most classes and experiences are open to members and non-members (fee applies) with registration in advance.
Schmooze and Shmear Series
Join Rabbi Lauren as she takes us through Jewish rituals or texts. Each series is centered around a theme, such as Walking through the Prayerbook. Participants enjoy studying with our rabbi while noshing on a potluck breakfast. The series usually consists of three or four Saturday morning sessions held over a few months.
Intro to Judaism for Jewish and Jewish-Adjacent Adults
Intro to Judaism for Jewish and Jewish-Adjacent Adults – From the Jewish calendar to Shabbat rituals to an overview of Jewish History, this class provides congregants and community members, whether you are Jewish, married to or in a relationship with someone Jewish, or just interested in learning more about Judaism with the basic concepts that define what it means to be Jewish. The class is held approximately every other year, depending on participant interest.
Adult Hebrew Classes
Offered every few years, our Hebrew classes for adults provide an opportunity for congregants and community members to learn how to read Hebrew for both prayer and Torah.
Hebrew Reading for Adults 101
Offered every few years, this introductory class teaches adults to recognize the Hebrew Alephbet and begin to read simple words often found in blessings or the Shabbat liturgy.
Reading Hebrew for Adults 201
The second in the Hebrew Reading for Adults classes, students continue to work on their reading skills and expand to full prayers found in the Shabbat service.
Chanting Prayers for Adults
After completing or showing competence for Hebrew Reading 201, this course teaches students to chant the typical prayers found in our Shabbat services.
Torah Trope for Adults
This class provides overview and practice in decoding the trope (symbols) that tell us how to chant Torah.
Conversion
Thinking of converting to Judaism? By clicking on this page, you have taken your first step and Temple Beth Torah is honored to be your home as you explore conversion on your journey to joining the Jewish People.
What does conversion to Judaism involve?
Becoming part of the Jewish People is a slow and introspective process involving study and self-reflection. Through classes and/or private sessions with Rabbi Lauren, you will learn Jewish History, holidays, values, rituals, and what it means to be a Jew. You will also explore your spirituality and connection to Judaism in order to confirm that conversion is the right path for you. You will also be encouraged to practice Jewish holidays and attend as many Shabbat services as possible to truly immerse yourself in Judaism throughout this time of exploration. The process usually takes a minimum of one year to complete.
Following your studies with Rabbi Lauren, when both you and she determine you are ready to convert, you will schedule a conversion ceremony. During this ceremony, in addition to reciting prayers, a beit din (jury of three or more Jewish peers) will convene and ask you pre-determined questions which you will answer. This is not a pop-quiz and you will be fully prepared and confident. After the beit din accepts your responses, Rabbi Lauren will welcome you into the Jewish People and place the Torah in your arms as a physical reminder of your commitment to the Mitzvot (Commandments), the Jewish People, and yourself.
Some conversion students may wish to also visit a local mikveh (ritual bath) to complete this traditional part of the conversion process. While not required, immersing oneself in the natural waters of the mikveh often provides a sense of renewal, rebirth into your new state of being. If you choose this option, Rabbi Lauren will help to schedule it and may attend, if you wish.
How do I start the process?
Please contact Rabbi Lauren at rabbi@bethtorah.net to set up an introductory meeting. During this meeting, Rabbi Lauren will ask you about your desire to convert and the reasoning behind your choice as well as answer any questions about the process you may have.
Do I need to be a Member of Temple Beth Torah?
No, you do not need to be a member of our congregation to convert to Judaism. However, it is customary to provide the synagogue with a donation upon completion of your conversion. It is also appreciated that you participate in congregational life, including bringing food for onegs (snacks after Shabbat services) and volunteering your time to support congregational events.