Congregation Beth Israel

  Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Religious School
We are one of the first three congregations in North America to be designated as a Framework for Excellence School

The Blue Ribbon Citation is based on a rigorous assessment of having achieved requisite benchmarks.
To Contact our Education Director, Betty Lynn Golub
(908) 889-1830 ext. 207 or School @cbinj.org

Religious School Closings
In case of inclement weather, log onto
weatherclosings.com
Type in Scotch Plains, NJ and you will be advised whether school has been cancelled.

Food Allergy Alert!
We are asking your help in assuring that no snacks of any kind be sent to religious school.  Of primary concern is the health and well-being of all of our students.  There are children in school with life threatening food allergies.
 
 
 
Below is information for our Shabbat School program & Akiba Academy:
 
Religious School Shabbat Program for Dalet & Hei Students
2007-2008
 On September 29 we begin our Shabbat morning program.  We will meet from 9:15 AM – 11:15 AM, with Rabbi Nudell joining us for Junior Congregation on a regular basis.
All classes will meet together for Junior Congregation.  The atmosphere on Shabbat is very special and different from the rest of the week.  In this vein, we ask that all students dress appropriately for Shabbat.  Kippot are the only acceptable head-covering.
Each trimester will last approximately ten weeks.  Please refer below for a description of the courses your child will be studying on Shabbat this year.  If your child is absent due to attendance at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the absence will be excused providing we receive a written note from home. 
Below is a brief description of the mini-courses that will be taught this year.  Please refer to the chart for your child’s schedule.
 
 
Eileen Toplansky
Carol Heyman
Dorit Rechter
Jeff Kaufman
Trimester I
An introduction to Science, Medicine and Law from a Jewish perspective
 
Dalet A
Tell it like it is – or Tough choices for today’s teens
 
 
 Hei B
Ulpan
 
 
 
 
 Dalet B
Tough questions Jews ask
 
 
 
Hei A
Trimester II
An Introduction to Science, Medicine and Law from a Jewish Perspective
 
Hei B
Tell it like it is – or Tough choices for today’s teens
 
 
Hei A
Ulpan
 
 
 
 
 Dalet A
Tough questions Jews ask
 
 
 
Dalet B
Trimester III
An Introduction to Science, Medicine and Law from a Jewish Perspective
 
Hei A
Tell it like it is – or Tough choices for today’s teens
 
 
Dalet B
Ulpan
 
 
 
 
Hei B
Tough questions Jews ask
 
 
 
Dalet A
 An Introduction to Science, Medicine, and Law From a Jewish Perspective –   We live in a world that is rapidly changing and transforming us.  Does Judaism provide a framework in which to make decisions about such topics as organ donations, autopsies, or stealing to save a life?  Is informing on others a violation of Jewish law?  Is there a place in Judaism for stem cell research? Does the Jewish view about caring for animals differ from other religious points of view? What is the Jewish perspective on war?  Is Judaism at odds with the idea of evolution?  May Jews even consider using results of experiments that were done during the Holocaust even if the information gathered could save lives?  Is revenge ever an option in Judaism?  This course will expose the students to a myriad of ideas that form Jewish thinking.  
 Tell it like it is OR- Tough choices for today’s teens -  Stories and discussions revolve about social and ethical issues.  Issues such as: peer pressure and today’s teen temptations we’ll be explored, seeking possible solutions and support from traditions, Jewish perspectives, and one’s own sense of justice.
         You be the Judge – a supplemental course for Jewish teens unfolds into discussions of ethical cases.  We will explore the way that Jewish values can apply to real life situations.  For example, should you offer a job to a Jew over a non-Jew; what do you think?
           Ulpan - So you've been going to Hebrew School for a number of years and you can't hold a conversation in Hebrew. This course will focus on giving the student a basic vocabulary stressing everyday language and expressions. It will also reinforce our exciting Ulpan Aleph and Bet programs taught during the week.
            Tough Questions Jews Ask - In Judaism we’re allowed to ask questions.  We are invited to ask them. This course will tackle topics as diverse as: What Is G-d Anyway?  Why does G-d Let Terrible Things Happen? What’s The Meaning Of Life?  Why Does Religion Need So Many Rules?  Why Be Jewish? Rabbi Edward Feinstein’s “Tough Questions Jews Ask-A Young Adult’s Guide to Building a Jewish Life” will be used as our resource guide.
          
Akiba Academy of Jewish Studies
 Akiba Academy Program
            The American Jewish Community in this modern day is unsure of its status and its future.  It is concerned with major internal problems-assimilation, the rapid increase of intermarriage, the rising rate of divorce and broken homes, of drug addiction and alcoholism, and even its inability to reproduce itself.  It is especially disturbed by the indifference, if not the alienation of its young people.
             We believe strongly that it is our responsibility to transmit to our youth a strong Jewish identity as well as provide for them an opportunity to search for an inquire about the meaning of life and the relevance of Judaism.
             The classroom at Akiba Academy fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect for each other's viewpoint and encourages an open-mindedness to embrace new philosophies.
             Our program is varied and ever-changing.  It is designed to meet the needs and interests of our young people.
             We hope that by the breadth and scope of this curriculum, we will be able to meet the awesome challenge with which Jewish education is confronted, for "Jewish education means Jewish survival."
                                                                                              Seek Wisdom
            -Acquire Understanding
Proverbs 4:5
Eighth Grade
The Holocaust
            This course deals with the Jewish Catastrophe in Europe.  We will carefully trace the rise of Nazism, its ideology, the nature of the Nazi era as it affected the Jewish people, and the conscience of organized society.  The study of values is prominent in this course.  We will explore such questions as - Where was God? - Where was Man? - Where was the Church?
            The student is encouraged to internalize the significance of the Holocaust and relate it to personal decision making about contemporary issues.
            Holocaust literature, films, personal accounts, and visits by survivors are an intrinsic aspect of this course.  The class will read excerpts from Elie Wiesel's Night as a representative text of this period.
Take The Pirkei Avot Challenge: Media & Rabbinic Commentary
            "Moses received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua, and Joshua     to the Elders, and the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets transmitted it to the Men of the Great Assembly. They said three things: Be patient in judgement, raise up many disciples and make a fence around theTorah." Avot 1:1
How does Throw Momma From The Train, Field of Dreams, and Chariot's of Fire illustrate this famous  commentary?  Pirkei Avot - The Ethics of our Ancestors will guide the student through a wealth of relevant topics found in Pirkei Avot  i.e. ethics, morality, responsibility, community and interpersonal relations by studying the text through video triggers and values clarification.
             This is an innovative, meaningful way to study Pirkei Avot and relate to the world the student lives in.
Ninth Grade
The Jewish Experience
            A course aimed at giving the student an eclectic approach to broadening his learning and developing a greater awareness of the Jewish view on capital punishment, gambling, discrimination, tattooing, piercing and modesty.
Roots Jewish Style
"What the son wishes to forget, The Grandson wishes to remember"      - Marcus Lee Hansen 
            Learning one's personal history through the study of ancestry.  We will discuss the origins of many Ashkenazic and Sephardic names.  A Step-by-step guide to charting a family history and where to hunt for the information will be included. 
"Bio-Ethics"
            A timely and fascinating subject confronting the relationship between Jewish ethics and many contemporary problems, such as genetic diseases, abortion, Euthanasia, the limits of 'playing God" in genetic research, test-tube babies, cloning, and DNA research.  Guest speakers will include both religious and medical authorities.
Jewish Views of God
            How do we know that God exists?  Does God intervene directly in the lives and affairs of humans?  Does God inside us or somewhere in the heavens?  Does God act according to or outside of nature's laws?  These are among the questions considered in this course which attempts to explore some Jewish approaches to the understanding of God.
"Jewish Assertiveness"
            A course developed to aid young people to deal effectively with missionary and cult movements.  It will cover frequently used evangelical arguments for conversion, Jews for Jesus, the cults, and Unification Church.
            Students are taught both the Jewish intellectual background answers for their own knowledge as well as special strategy answers to use when approached by conversionists.  Included will be first hand accounts of former cult members, ploys used to entice students, a film, and a speaker who has had experience as a member of the movement.
Why Judaism?
A Search For Meaning In Jewish Identity?
            This essential course raises the basic question one must ask if he would find meaning in Judaism.  The student will be presented with the varied philosophies of Judaism, the attitudes of the sages to humanity, sin and salvation, family life, love and justice.
            We will confront the issues behind such questions as "Who Is A Jew?" and "Are Jews the Chosen People?"
Holocaust: The Aftermath
            A course designed for the student who has completed our first year introduction to the Holocaust.  We will examine the effects the Holocaust had upon the civilized world.  To enhance our study and evaluation, we will read excerpts from Helen Epstein's insightful novel, Children of the Holocaust, and hear first person accounts from members of the "Second Generation."
Why Do The Innocent Suffer?
            If God is all powerful, all knowing, merciful, and just, how can the Almighty permit a young child to die of cancer?  How can religion be source of comfort when faith in God's power and justice falters just when we are most in need of spiritual help?  These are among the questions raised in this course.  We will use as resource material, Rabbi Harold Kushner's When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Elie Wiesel's Struggle With God, and My Sister Karen, the personal struggle of a young woman trying to find meaning in her sister's suicide.
Tenth Grade   
Values & Traditions
            The Tenth Grade course is designed to give the student a varied approach to learning and develop a greater awareness of Judaic values and concepts.  The curriculum are values oriented with main thrust centering around the Jewish family today.  We will analyze changes and life styles among the Jewish family.  The course will explore the extended and nuclear family, single parent families, living together without marriage, the chavurah and communal living.  There are many other alternative family patterns that have emerged in recent years and they will also be discussed.  Alvin Toffler's Future Shock will be read to compliment this unit.
            This course will deal with such issues as Interdating; Intermarriage; Assimilation; Sex Mores (Biblical and Contemporary); Marriage and Divorce, its customs and tradition; the Jewish mother - fact or fallacy; a comprehensive unit dealing with death and the Jewish way of mourning; and finally a forum to explore our feelings, strengths, weaknesses, and questions through Values Clarification.
Eleventh Grade
Today's Jew and His Religion
            In order to understand and appreciate others it is necessary to know oneself. This course will deal with the practical and ideological difference between Orthodoxy, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionism.  We will explore, question and have the opportunity to exchange ideas with clergy representing the various branches of Judaism.
Comparative Religions
            To compare means primarily to note the similarities of different things; by seeing what they have in common helps us see their unique qualities as well. 
            This is not a course in contrasting religions, for we are not primarily concerned with what separates us from others.  We hope to compare, and see our differences in the light of out similarities.
            We will explore questions and have the opportunity to exchange ideas with clergy representing their faiths.
G-d The Eternal Challenge
A theology course that focuses on G-d's relationship to the Jew as specific individual and to the Jewish people in general. The student will investigate G-d's functions as Creator, Redeemer, Revealer and Judge, as well as G-d's Oneness and His place in the universe. Finally we will endeavor to understand our relationship with G-d as we discuss and confront prayer and worship, faith and doubt, struggle and covenant.
Nine Questions
            A provocative, lively analysis of some of the major questions asked by 21st century young Jewish men and women.  A sampling: Who needs Jewish Laws or organized religion; isn't it enough to be an ethical person?  How do I begin acting Jewish?  How do you account for unethical Jews - and for ethical people who are not religious?  We will use Prager and Telushkin's 9 Questions People Ask  as a resource guide.
Introduction To Jewish Law
            Are you aware that once a person has been found innocent that he cannot be tried a second time for the same crime?  Or that no person can be forced to testify against himself?  These and many more commonly known American laws come directly from the Talmud and Jewish law.  This course will allow the student to clearly see the impact Jewish law has had on the American judicial system, and more importantly, how the central idea of humanism is at the core of our people and their legal system.