She'arim/Gateways
(Hebrew School)
Click here to link to the 2009-2010 She'arim/Gateways Calendar
She'arim/Gateways, Mishkan Ha'am's innovative approach to Hebrew
School, is rooted in a vibrant group of families from Riverdale through towns along the Hudson River (from Yonkers up to Irvington) who are interested in an innovative approach to Jewish education and community. Our school supports our families’ desires to raise their children with a deep appreciation, understanding, and excitement for Jewish life in its various manifestations - cultural, religious, and communal. In building our Hebrew School community, we strive to create a climate of acceptance and security, where all questions are honored and each child is appreciated.
Through storytelling, games, crafts, role-playing, movie-making and discussion, our students learn about the Jewish holidays and history; Jewish values and ethics through mitzvot (good deeds), tzedakah (acts of charity) and tikkun olam (repairing/taking care of our world and global community); Starting in Kitah Bet, we introduce both modern and prayer Hebrew and work towards discussing and “grappling with” the Torah and related stories/text/prayer in ways that are relevant to our lives today. To welcome a diverse range of students, our classes are designed to meet the various needs and abilities of each individual as well as the group. So although there is a general blueprint for our curriculum, it also evolves based on the experiences and skills of our students and teachers.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Benjamin Weiner we also draw on the educational resources of the Reconstructionist Movement, as well as the priorities of our member families. In general, Hebrew language instruction, Jewish culture/history, and ethics receive equal emphasis. Our school curre ntly serves an intimate community of children ranging in age from kindergarten to 6th grade. B'nei Mitzvah-aged children participate in their own unique programming.
The school calendar is based on the Jewish holiday calendar, the schedules of several different school districts as well as public and private school calendars. She'arim/ Gateways classes start on Thursday, September 17, 2009 and run through May 22, 2010.
· Weekday classes are Thursdays from starting at 4 pm at the Reformed Church, Hastings-on-Hudson. Please remember to send a snack with your child.
· Students participate in She'arim Shabbat services one Saturday morning a month, starting at 10 am. Parents are encouraged to participate as well.
She'arim/Gateways Schedule:
In the fall of 2010 we will be resuming our Hebrew school and wanted to make everyone aware of the classes.
There will be 3 different classes:
1 – The older pre-teens, who will meet 3 Thursdays a month and one Saturday.
Teacher: TBA, time: 4-6pm
2 – The 1st-3rd graders, who will also meet 3 Thursdays a month and one Saturday.
Teacher – Dorit, time 4-5:30pm
3 – The pre-schoolers (age 3-5), who will meet the 4th Thursday, or the off Thursday.
Teacher: Dorit, time 4-5pm
Past years have been very successful, both for the students, parents and teachers alike.
We would like to incorporate some field trips this year pertaining to Jewish heritage/history, these will be circulated after the year begins.
Feel free to offer the classes to friends outside of MH as well.
Please call us (914-478-4996) with questions or concerns.
Registration is ongoing and forms will be sent out in the near future.
Payments at this point will be sent to Rabbi Ezra: RebEzraMH@gmail.com
We look forward to a wonderful school year!!
Regards,
Rabbi Ezra
Sara Stave, Co-Chair Educ Committee
Orit Oppenheimer, Co-Chair Educ Committee
Please Note:
All services/programs, including She'arim/Gateways, are held at the Reformed Church of Hastings, 18 Farragut Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, unless otherwise specified. Click for directions.
All services/programs, including She'arim/Gateways, are held at the Reformed Church of Hastings, 18 Farragut Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, unless otherwise specified. Click for directions.