Education Programs
The Talmud calls the study of Torah a deed whose worth cannot be measured. Congregation Beth Israel is a learning community where we delve deeply into our tradition.
Our programs for children and their families are divided by age groups:
Aleph Garden - Introduction to the Hebrew letters for children in pre-K and Kindergarten
Ne'arim - Jewish learning to prepare for Bar and Bat Mitzvah for fifth to seventh graders
Confirmation - Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah learning for teens up to tenth grade
We also offer meaningful Adult Education courses every year. We have a popular Shabbat Study group that follows our Shabbat morning services every week at 11:00 AM. We have an active women's Rosh Hodesh group that meets monthly in members' homes to explore Jewish tradition from a woman's perspective.
Congregation Beth Israel is fortunate to have support from local Jewish organizations. The Hand in Hand program receives partial funding from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Our programs for K-12 students are subsidized by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. Last year, our subsidy from Jewish Federation of the Berkshires amounted to $315 per student and was made possible by donations to JFB's Annual Campaign. Please, give generously to the Annual Campaign !
For further information about our education programs, contact Education Director Maude Rich at the synagogue office or speak to Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser
Here are some books reccommended by the Union for Reform Judaism:
Teens from grades seven to ten also engage in fun, informal learning in Gameilim, our youth group program. The Gameilim group meets once a month during the school year. Annual events include joint programs with youth groups from other congregations, an overnight program at the synagogue, serving a meal at the Berkshire Food Project, field trips, nature hikes, and a day trip to Boston or New York.
