SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The Santa Monica Synagogue’s religious school is to inspire and nurture in every child a love of Jewish life and learning. With this love, our children will integrate into their lives a knowledge of Jewish history, language, ritual, and text, the values of community, cultural Jewish identity, ethics, prayer, spirituality, tikun olam (repairing the world), and an understanding of our people’s connection to Israel.
WHAT WE OFFER
Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third graders attend religious school on Sunday mornings. These kids are engaged in Jewish learning through, art, music, and stories.
Fourth and Fifth graders attend Hebrew school on Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, studying Hebrew, holidays, prayer, and a wide range of other Jewish subjects, through art, music, and traditional classroom methodology.
Sixth and Seventh graders attend Hebrew on Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, studying Hebrew, holidays, prayer, and a wide range of other Jewish subjects, through art, music and traditional classroom methodology. These two years are geared toward preparing our students for Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
Eighth through Twelfth grade students attend our Tuesday evening Lailah Or program. The kids arrive at the synagogue at 6:30 for a dinner and socializing. From 7:00-8:00 pm they attend classes in Jewish ethics, Torah study, and contemporary Jewish thought.
Confirmation takes place in the 10th grade. The students are taught by Rabbi Marx, and have the opportunity to travel together to Washington D.C., where they are engaged in a Jewish political action program, focusing on Tikun Olam- repairing the world.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The 'Tween Years
The ‘Tween Years is a program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parents Dealing with a child who is “’tween” childhood and the teen years is a time of great challenges. The ‘Tween Years is a series of three workshops offered over the year for parents of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade parents and will be facilitated by Rabbi Marx.
Kehillah: Community Building
The commandment to welcome the stranger, the teaching that we are all created in God’s image, the notion that all Jews are responsible for one another, are but a few of our Jewish teachings concerning the importance of community. Community building is one of the highest values of our school. Since our children come from many different schools and neighborhoods, we take seriously the task of helping the students in our classroom feel a part of our synagogue community. To that end, the beginning of every class session involves group-building exercises, and provides opportunities for our children in all grades to get to know and appreciate one another.
In addition, one time during the school year each class will gather for a family picnic lunch which will give families the chance to mix and mingle with other families in your child’s grade.
Madrichim
Madrichim are students enrolled in our Lailah Or program (grades 8 through 12) who work in our religious school. Enrollment in Lailah Or is a requirement for applying to the Madrichim Program. There are work opportunities for students on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursdays. Students accepted into the program will be assigned to work in grades K through 6 in our Hebrew and Judaica courses, or work in the religious school office.
Music Progamming
Our cantor, Steve Hummel, teaches Jewish cultural and prayer music with all K-7 students each Sunday morning. In addition, the Cantor leads services on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon as part of our religious school program.
Family Programming
An integral part of our school curriculum for Grades K through 6 is a special family event for each grade held throughout the year. During the yea,r parents and children in each grade will join together to explore such topics a visiting the sick, homelessness, and death. These programs are facilitated by Rabbi Marx.
Breakfast with the Rabbi
During the year, parents will have two opportunities to study with Rabbi Marx over bagels and coffee. Please check the school calendar for dates and topics.
