YouthOrganizations

BEHChasthreeyouthgroups,beginninginfourthgrade.Eachofthesegroupsholdmultipleseventsthroughouttheschoolyear.Someexamplesofpasteventsare:HavdalahandMovieNight,BEFTYgoesIceSkating,Mezuzah-MakingMadness,andBEFTYCutthroatKitchenShul-In.

• Club45(4thand5thgraders)

• Club67(6thand7thgraders)

• BEFTY(8th–12thgrades)

BEFTYisamemberofNFTY-MAR,theMid-AtlanticRegionoftheNorthAmericanFederationofTempleYouth.ForinformationonourYouthGroups,pleasecontacttheReligiousSchoolofficeatjshif@bethelhebrew.org.

NFTY-MAR

NFTYisamovementthatbuildsstrong,welcoming,inspiredcommunitiesthroughteen-poweredengagement.Together,wepursuetikkunolam,personalgrowth,youthempowerment,anddeepconnections,allrootedinReformJudaism.NFTY’sMid-AtlanticRegionincludesMaryland,WashingtonDC,Virginia,easternWestVirginia,andNorthCarolina(excludingCharlotte).

Community

Religious School at BEHC is more than just attending classes. Our families meet at Tot Shabbat and grow closer at monthly Shabbat dinners and services when the chil- dren are in elementary school. Students grab a bagel at the Bagel Bar or eat together at Wednesday evening Canteen. These friendships turn into strong bonds as older students travel to Israel and go through the Confirmation and post –Confirmation experience. Many of our students stay on as assistant teachers during their last two years of high school.

Beth El Hebrew Congregation

Religious

School

Rabbi Brett Isserow Cantor Jason Kaufman Barry Smith, Education Director

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation

We prepare students not only for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, but to be comfortable participating in worship services wherever they go in life.

3830 Seminary Road Alexandria, VA 22304

(703) 370-6644 www.bethelhebrew.org

Education at Beth El Hebrew Congregation is Innovative and Dynamic

• Caring, experienced educators who work in teams to create unique programming for Judaic Studies and Hebrew at all grade levels.

• A school year packed with religious observance, Jewish music, life cycle and holiday celebrations and much more!

• Multiple online resources to “meet students where they are,” including Hebrew programs, games, and online prayer learning.

• Inclusion coordinator to assist stu- dents with individualized learning strategies and special needs.

• Parent classes so that parents can study their student’s curriculum topics at an adult level.

• Synagogue membership is not required for enrollment in Kindergarten through second grade.

• Continuous focus on youth and parent engagement.

Post-B’nai Mitzvah Program

At BEHC, Jewish education does not stop after Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Our Post B’nai-Mitzvah Program begins in 8th Grade and culminates in 10th Grade Confirmation class. In this program students explore what it means to be Jewish and what they can contribute to the world.

Rotations In 8th & 9th Grades, students participate in mini courses about Jewish cooking, modern Israel, social action, the environment and more.

Madrichim 8th & 9th Graders assist in our classrooms and learn how to be educators and role models for younger students.

Israel Connection Regular Skype sessions with Israeli students and an optional clergy-led Israel trip for 8th-12th Graders every other year.

Confirmation The 10th grade year discusses current events and participates in legislative advocacy efforts through the Religous Action Committee’s L’Taken Program. The year ends with an amazing student-created service.

Post-Confirmation Our 11th & 12th Graders are encouraged to continue in their roles as educators by staying on as paid Madrichim. They can also take on leadership roles in our Youth Group as well as accumulate service hours for participating in our numerous volunteer events.

Students at BEHC Gain Essential Jewish

Knowledge About:

God Torah Values

History Holidays

Israel

Prayers & Rituals

Reform Judaism

Comparative Religion

Culture & Language

Adult Education at BEHC

Learn beginner through advanced Hebrew or attend lectures on selected topics while your child attends Sunday School.