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ABOUT BJC'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM |
About the Religious School
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Basic
Information for Prospective Religious School Families:
 | BJC’s Religious School meets on Saturday mornings for
classes and special programs, with Wednesday Hebrew classes
added during grades 4-7. |
| On Shabbat, students in Grades 4 and up have the
opportunity to observe and participate in Shabbat Morning
worship several times each year. |
| The school has an enrollment of approximately 125
students. Parents are welcome and encouraged to be active
participants in school activities. Our program includes
interactive, multi-disciplinary learning, experiential
programs, tzedakah/social action engagement, music, dance,
arts, field trips, and more. |
| Students in Grades 3-7 begin their Saturdays at 9:00 am
with Hebrew Studies. Judaic Studies for grades K-7 begin
with a brief all-school Shabbat experience at 9:45 am. |
| Wednesday Hebrew Classes for 4-7th grades meet from
4:15- 5:45 pm. |
| The Pre-K group usually meets two Saturdays a month from
10:30 - 11:30. |
| Our Tihon (grades 8/9) and Confirmation (grade 10)
programs also meet on Saturday mornings from 9:45 am - 12:15
pm. |
| Each week of school, parents are invited to come to the
Micha Mocha Cafe in Room 109 for a light morning snack and a
chance to schmooze with other parents, members of the staff,
and members of the Education Committee. |
| Bar/Bat Mitzvah: The Hazzan provides personal
instruction, leadership, and direction for each B’nai
Mitzvah. Creative services are an option, and here is
flexibility in setting dates. The program includes family
learning and social action components as well. |
| We ask each religious school family's parents to
volunteer each year for at least 2 activities/events in
support of the religious school program per child enrolled.
This can include being a room parent, a classroom aide, and
office aide, working on a special program or event, et al. |
Come and visit. we welcome prospective parents and
students to our school for a chance to observe classes and
activities. Please
contact us to set up a visit. For more information about BJC, see our "BJC-At-A-Glance" |
Mission Statement of BJC
Religious School
The Bethesda Jewish Congregation Religious School provides a
warm and creative environment in which students will develop a
solid educational foundation, knowledge of the Hebrew language,
and positive Jewish identity. Students will also acquire the
skills and ethics necessary to become responsible and motivated
members of the Jewish and world communities.
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| Goal of Jewish Education
at BJC
The goal of Jewish education at BJC is the deepening of Jewish
experience and knowledge for all liberal Jews in order to
strengthen love of Torah, and identification with the Jewish
people through involvement in the synagogue and participation in
Jewish life. We believe that Judaism contains answers to the
challenges and questions confronting the human spirit and that
only a knowledgeable Jew can successfully discover these
answers.
We strive to provide a program of Jewish education that will:
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Strengthen the student's identification with
the Jewish people, past and present. |
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Give the student knowledge and understanding
of the customs and traditions embodied in Judaism and to
encourage religious observance at home and in the synagogue. |
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Provide the student with knowledge of the
Hebrew language necessary for full participation in Jewish
life. |
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Teach the moral and ethical ideals of our
Jewish heritage and to help students develop a sense of social
responsibility based on these principles, and who further the
causes of justice, freedom, and peace by pursuing tzedek
(righteousness), mishpat (justice), and chesed (loving deeds).
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Strengthen the student's ties with the
synagogue as an integral part of Jewish life. |
It is hoped that upon completion of the
religious school program our students will arrive at a personal
understanding of God, coupled with a keen sense of Jewish
consciousness, commitment, responsibility, and a desire to
continue their Jewish studies throughout their lives.
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Educational
Philosophy and Approach
At BJC, we employ a spiraling curriculum, in
which subjects continue to be studied and revisited in an
age-appropriate and ever deepening manner throughout the course
of a student's religious education. The curriculum covers a
diverse range of subjects including basic Judaism, Torah and
Bible, Values and Ethics, History, Holidays, Israel, Hebrew,
Lifecycle, Prayer, God, and Philosophy. To see a copy of our
program outline, please read our Parent & Student Handbook.
Social action projects are a component of the
curriculum in every grade. Music, art, drama, and an atmosphere
of open discussion are important components of the classroom
experience. Children participate in and help to lead Shabbat and
holiday services and celebrations. Parents are welcome to
participate fully with their children and join them for a
Shabbat experience. The school encourages a probing encounter
with Judaism designed to stimulate students' development of a
positive Jewish identity and to nurture their excitement with
life and learning.
Click here for a grade by grade outline:
PDF
MS Word
Many of the students in our religious school
have a parent or grandparent who is not Jewish. We welcome any
family who wishes to develop a Jewish identity and provide its
children with the experience of being part of a tolerant,
committed caring Jewish community. Students come from the entire
metropolitan area, including Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase,
Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Northern Virginia, and
the District of Columbia.
Usually, for a child to be able to celebrate in
worship and ceremony their becoming a bar or bat mitzvah, the
family must have been members at least two years prior to the
event. Equivalency can be granted for membership at other
congregations. |
| Click here for available
online/downloadable Religious School forms and documents |
Click on class name to view
current activities, missed assignments, attendance, and more
For curriculum
information, please see the
Parent Student Handbook
PDF
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| Religious School
Forms can be found on the Religious
School Forms page. |
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SERVICES |
Friday, August 22
6:30pm
Tot Shabbat
8:00pm
Meditation Service |
Friday, August 29
8:00pm
Shabbat Worship "Labor on the Bima " |
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No Saturday
Morning Services until September |
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Scroll down for
Events and School Information |
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