Temple B'rith Kodesh's Religious School (preschool through High School) is one of the country's twenty accredited religious schools, and the only one so recognized in western New York. Our goal is to help our students become Jews who cherish their Judaic heritage, who know and understand our history, who participate in Jewish worship and who feel kinship with and responsibioity for the welfare of Jews around the world.
Sunday Morning Gan Yiladim:
The TBK Gan Yiladim is a nurturing educational program for three and four year olds. Children will become immersed in Jewish living and Jewish values. They will experience how TBK is a special and sacred place and learn how the synagogue is their home. As part of their weekly Sunday activities, the children will explore Jewish holidays and values in a hands-on approach through art, music, dance, food, role-plays, stories, library, as well as visits from the Rabbis. The TBK Gan is open to both members and non-members; registration is limited on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sunday Morning School for grades K-6:
Each Sunday from 9:30 - Noon our students explore the wide-ranging aspects of their Jewish faith: Jewish Symbols, Holidays, Mitzvot, God, Prophets, and Torah, to name a few, are presented in an age-appropriate manner. The study of Hebrew has been incorporated into every grade, and is an integral part of our Sunday Morning School. In addition to classroom learning, students and teachers have the opportunity to enrich their class experience with time in the computer lab, art-room, library, dance floor, and chapel for music class. Parents are always welcome to join us for the short prayer service that marks the beginning of Sunday Morning School and are invited periodically to learn with their child(ren) during our Sunday Family Education Programs.
Sunday Morning School for Grades 7 - 9
A special program has been developed for students in these critical middle school years. With faculty especially attuned to the needs of adolescents, our program combines core curriculum on such topics as Judaism and World Religions, Ethics, and Relationships, with a long list of electives from which the students may choose. The program's popularity has been steadily increasing as evidenced by the number of students who continue to return for Jewish educational experiences past their Bar/Bat Mitzvah years.
Mid-Week Hebrew School for Grades 3 through 6
Students in Grades 3 through 6 develop their Hebrew skills through concentrated instruction during our Midweek Program. Hebrew is taught through prayer-based curricula. Throughout the year our students are given the opportunity to help lead a Friday evening Shabbat Service (see School Calendar for specific grade level dates). Students enroll in our Tuesday or Wednesday Program (4:00 - 5:30 PM), and have the option of attending a Thursday Enrichment Program (4:00 - 5:30 PM) where the focus shifts to conversational Hebrew, Torah and Haftarah Trope, and additional opportunities to practice their Hebrew reading skills.
High School - Grades 10 - 12
With regular Sunday morning meetings (10:00 - 11:00 AM) with Rabbi Kotok and Rabbi Gutterman, our High School students choose their topics for the year. Based on the students choices and direction, the Rabbis select appropriate materials and guide discussions during class time.
Congregant Jack Kosoff led a team of parents and kids in lovingly returning High Holy Day prayer books to their boxes, carefully tucking them away until next year. Part of the job is to recycle the programs and papers that are tucked into each machzor, each holiday prayer book. There was quite an assembly line, but somehow 5 boys and 2 girls were recycled! The mistake was quickly corrected, with warm thanks to our terrific building staff and members of all ages.
Plan your teen's trip to Israel. Your commitment to save for it will be matched by the Federation and TBK.
Suzie Lyon
