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Because of Sy and Susan Sperling's continuing generosity to Jewish Education at Bat Yam, the Religious School and all our education programs will bear a new name, "The Sy and Susan Sperling School of Jewish Education." What follows is a catalogue of some of the major educational events and programs at Bat Yam in the new school year, which is just a month away.
The opening session for grades 3-7 is Tuesday September 2, 4:15- 6:15 PM
Sunday September 7 marks the opening session for Torah for Tots-Grade 2, 10:00-12:00.
An extraordinary Jewish immersion experience occurs when parents and teens (grades 8-10) will be on a weekend retreat (September 5-7) in Naples. Here parents and youngsters will pray, sing, and grapple with contemporary issues all within a creative Jewish context. This is the "kickoff" for our Judaica High School which opens Sunday September 14 at Bat Yam 10:00-12:00.
For those families who are contemplating being part of the Bat Yam family and enrolling your children in our school whose staff brings excitement, energy, and creativity to Jewish learning, there is an Open House September 14 where you will meet our Rabbi, Cantor, Educator as well as Temple Board Members. The Open House is from 10:30-12:00; of course there is a sumptuous brunch.
Our award winning Fresh (Fusing and Reconnecting School and Home) program continues which brings parents and children together working on a variety of projects or visiting different places and participating in events of Jewish cultural interest that expand the walls of the classroom.
This year we are continuing our "To Be A Mensch " program from Grades 3-6. It is designed to help our children that be performing acts of loving kindness (Gemilut Chasadim), study (Avodah), and worship (Torah), they can help repair our imperfect world. Just as it is important to learn about Judaism, it is the doing of Judaism that is essential.
At Bat Yam we are just as concerned and have educational enrichment programs for adults as well as for tots, children and teens.
Our Melton Program continues in its fourth year on Monday evenings from 7-9 PM. Rabbi Littman and Arnold Bergman are the instructors in this fascinating program that emanates from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
We are proud to announce that graduates of our first Melton program have enrolled in a special seminar sponsored by the Central Agency of Jewish Education that will be held on Wednesday evenings at BatYam, 7-8 PM and taught by Arnold Bergman. The subject will be Comparative Religion: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Watch for our Adult Education Institute offerings in the Hakol. There are classes in Talmud, Basic Hebrew, Music, and Adult B'nai Mitzvah. Our staff includes Rabbi Littman, Cantor Wendy, and Arnold Bergman.
New this year is our Sea Scholar Seminars. You have already received information on our weekend at sea- May 1-3 on the Majesty of the Seas. In addition to services there will be seminars on contemporary issues seen through a Jewish prism. Rabbi Littman, Cantor Wendy, and Arnold Bergman will be our instructors. Although it is 10 months away, reservations must be made ASAP to guarantee the price, cabins, and reserved space on the ship to hold our program for the Bat Yam family.
All of these family education experiences require partnership. Parental participation not only cab deepen and enrich your lives but the lives of your children. Don't wait until the blowing of the Shofar to complete all the forms enrolling your children and yourselves in these various programs. The short summer period is a good opportunity to do the paperwork before you get caught up in the 101 details of the September crush.
Thank you for the gift of your children; may they be a source of joy and "nachas" to you and may the coming year of 5769 be a healthy and happy one for you and yours. Please don't forget to tell your unaffiliated friends about our Open House on Sunday September 14. In addition I will be in the religious school office on a fairly regular basis in August preparing new curriculum and meeting with teachers to make the school year an even better one. Don't hesitate to call with any questions and/or concerns you might have, whether it be the religious school, high school, or any of the adult programs. Enjoy the short summer respite and I look forward to accompany you on our Jewish journey together.
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