We learn in a midrash that when our ancient Rabbis were asked: How do we guarantee the survival of the Jewish people? Their simple reply was, "GO to the houses of worship and study, go to the synagogues and listen. If you do not hear the voices of children chanting and learning, we will not survive. But, if you hear the voices of children engaged in Jewish learning, we will endure forever!"
We at Congregation Bene Shalom / Hebrew Association of the Deaf deeply believe that the Jewish education of our children is critical to our survival. We have therefore assembled a staff of trained professional educators, who believe that EVERY child is entitled to a Jewish Education, no matter what challenges he or she may face. With this goal in mind we have designed our program to facilitate each child's persona) learning style, and meet his or her individual needs.
We also believe that a child learns from what he sees. Therefore we provide many opportunities for parent study and participation throughout the year. It is with these objectives in mind, that we have established our educational program.
Different synagogues throughout our community have
different philosophies of Judaism. Some educational curriculums emphasize the study of
Zionism and Israel as the core of the Religious School curriculum. Others emphasize Jewish
ethnicity and culture as the major tenets of Judaism. While these areas of study are
incorporated into our curriculum, the Esther Knapp Religious School and CBS Hebrew
School's philosophy is based on a God-centered philosophy. We are a Refonn synagogue that
believes in a God that transcends the natural world. We believe in a God that responds to
prayer and in a God with whom we can talk. And we encourage our teachers to teach this
God-centered philosophy.
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CBS/HAD offers some unique Judaic programs geared to meet the needs of our pre-school through Confirmation students. The Esther Knapp Religious School is composed of our:
Torah Tot Program
(For Pre Kindergarten (4 year olds) & Kindergartners)
The Torah Tot program meets from 9:00a.m. -10:30a.m. Sunday mornings. (Children may join us for our Sunday morning service & oneg (10:30- 11:00 with parental supervision.)
Aleph Class
(1st & 2nd graders)
The Aleph Class meets on Sunday from 9:00a.m. -12:00p.m.
The CBS/HAD Hebrew School (3rd through 7th Graders)
The Hebrew School program allows for additional weekly Hebrew instruction for our 3rd grade through Bar/Bat Mitzvah age students. Hebrew School students participate in an hour of weekly Hebrew instruction, in addition to their regular Sunday School Classes. Hebrew School hours are Sunday from 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m., & 1 weekday afternoon hour either 4:00p.m. -5:00p.m or 5:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.
(For children unable to attend weekday instruction, we offer a Sunday Hebrew Class, 12:10p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Parents will be informed at the beginning of the year as to their child's Hebrew School placement level and to when Hebrew classes will be held. At that time, parents will have the opportunity to sign up for our Sunday Hebrew School Program.
The CBS/HAD Confirmation/Youth Group Program
A program for post Bar/Bat mitzvah students that meets two
Sundays a month between 12:00 and 1:00, focusing on an exploration of Jewish ethics, roots
and spirituality through group discussion and hands on activities. The program also meets
one day a month for a social Youth Group activity for class participants.
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Our school curriculum has been updated to greater meet the needs of our diverse students. Each class is taught by experienced educators, and is composed of mixed age groupings. Based upon his/her grade level, each student learns about Shabbat, Holidays, Prayer, Jewish Identity, Mitzvot, Bible, Hebrew, Holocaust Studies (introduced in an age appropriate manner) and Sign Language. Our curriculum also includes a music/signing component, and an age appropriate meditation program.
Torah Tots (Pre- School and Kindergartners)
The children in our youngest class learn about the holidays, mitzvot, tzedakah, bible stories, synagogue skills, and are given an introduction to prayer and sign.
Aleph Class
Students in the Alef class continue their studies of mitzvot, Jewish symbols & holidays, synagogue skills, prayer, sign, bible, tzedakah, Hebrew words and begin learning the Hebrew letters and beginning meditation. (3rd graders in this class also begin one hour of weekly Hebrew instruction.)
Bet Class
In Bet our students begin to learn about their Jewish Identity (life events, synagogue, and holidays), Israel, mitzvot, and the 10 Commandments (ethics). They also continue their studies in prayer, tzedakah, sign, meditation and Hebrew. We also begin to introduce Holocaust studies, in a curriculum geared to their age group.
Gimmel & Dalet Classes
Our Gimmel and Dalet students continue to study prayer, sign, ethics, mitzvot, Israel, bible, holidays, tzedakah, Jewish Identity, and continue their study of the Holocaust. In this class a greater emphasis for our older students is placed on Hebrew instruction and on more advanced meditations. At this level children not only learn to read Hebrew but also are engaged in studying Hebrew in prayer and as part of holiday
Hey Class (Bar/Bat Mitzvah Students) 
Our Rabbis teach the Hey class in conjunction with another instructor. The main emphasis of this class is mitzvot, ethics, Torah, prayer, holocaust studies, and current events as it relates to our Jewish community, and advanced meditation.
CHILDREN IN 3rd THROUGH 7th GRADES ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND
AN ADDITIONAL HOUR OF WEEKLY HEBREW INSTRUCTION.
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