Religious School
Religious School
Education & Youth Director: Rabbi Tirza B. Covel
Children’s Learning Service
Jewish Education
Parent Involvement
Religious School
Prayer & Synagogue Participation
Youth Programs
Jewish Education
The Religious School believes in educating the total child in the basic building blocks of Judaism: God, Torah and Israel. Students’ encounters with God include studying the Siddur, attending services and participating in class discussions. Torah study encompasses learning about the Bible, Mishnah and Talmud in addition to studying the history of Torah and its interpretation. Hebrew language study enables students to interact with the Torah and participate in prayer. Students learn about the history and people of Israel. Our new High School program has a core curriculum of Torah and Tefila (prayer), plus various electives such as Jews in Sports, Jewish Cooking, Teen Spirituality and Mitzvah Field Trips.
Parent Involvement
The parent is considered an integral part of the child’s developing Jewishness. We promote family education and there are numerous ways for the children and family to grow together. Parents can attend Junior Congregation services, special Kabbalat Shabbat Family Services and family education programs with their children. Parents can redeem Mitzvah coupons by volunteering for a Religious School event. Adult Education classes and Learners’ Services are available to the parents. Families can have fun together at the Chanukah Party and the Purim Carnival. It is felt that all these activities will enable the entire family unit to become more acquainted with and committed to their Jewish heritage and identity.
Religious School
The Shaare Tefila Religious School serves grades K-12. Grades K through 2 are open to all families: members and non-members of Shaare Tefila. Grades 3 through 12 are open only to members, or by reciprocal arrangements with members of other Conservative Congregations.
Class attendance and times vary according to age and grade:
Grades Number of Sessions Days & Times
K - 2 Once each week Sunday (9:30 am - 12:30 pm)
3 - 7 Twice each week Sunday (9:30 am - 12:30 pm) Wednesday (4:30 pm - 6:30 pm)
8 - 12 Three X’s a month on Wednesday (6:00 pm - 8:30 pm) & First Shabbat of the month
Prayer & Synagogue Participation
In addition to classes, there is a children’s prayer program, called Kesher (The Connection), consisting of Gesher Congregation for children in K through 2, Tefila Aleph for grades 3 and 4 and Tefila Bet for grades 5 and 6. These services are generally held on Shabbat, but there are also special children’s prayer programs on the High Holidays and some Jewish Festivals. Students in grades 3-6 will be leading prayers in the Main Service this year. Children chant the Book of Esther on Purim, and Confirmation students will chant the Book of Ruth on Shavuot. Additionally, there is a Children’s Choir lead by Cantor Portman.
Youth Programs
There is also an active youth activity program consisting of Bonim (grades K-2), Machar (grades 3 - 6), Kadima (grades 7 and 8) and USY for grades 9 through 12. Day School students are both welcomed and encouraged to participate in all activities. Although largely social in nature, many of the youth programs focus on themes of charity, social action and community.
10881 Lockwood Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20901 P: (301) 593-3410 F: (301) 593-0280
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