Beit Midrash Brochure

T H E B E I T M I D RA S H AT B E T H C H A I M

A place to

… with your

HERITAGE …with your

PEERS …and with

YOURSELF An open and welcoming religious school for Pre-K through 7th grade — including B’nei Mitzvah — the Beit Midrash at Beth Chaim offers a dynamic and immersive curriculum that appeals to today’s active kids. With a unique combination of study, prayer, nature appreciation, creative arts, and community service, the Beit Midrash nurtures connections and meaning that develops proud young Jewish people.

The

at Beth Chaim

The Beit Midrash at Beth Chaim is an inclusive and supportive environment where the children of our community can learn to feel at home with their Jewish identity.

We believe that learning in a nurturing, safe, and respectful environment builds confidence as well as good middot (behavior) and derech eretz (good character).

Our students engage in active, experiential learning that cultivates their Jewish identity through text study, music, art, drama, dance, and more. A weekly “Hebrew Power Hour” helps students unlock the magic hidden inside the letters of Hebrew, and everevolving chugim (project-based electives) allow them to explore Jewish culture and traditions in ways that can have practical applications in their lives.

Middle school students and their families also participate in Beth Chaim’s truly special B’nei Mitzvah program, preparing them for the transformational process of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Students in our 7th grade class — the “Jew Crew” — not only receive individual mentoring in Torah trope and D’var Torah crafting, but also experience interactive activities combining nature appreciation, social action, and community building.

Our highly qualified and extremely caring teaching staff values the whole child — a student’s physical and cognitive growth as well as his or her feelings and character development.

A place to

S

SCHEDULE SUNDAY Jewish Studies for all ages 9:15 am – 12:15 pm WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY Hebrew Power Hour 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

CURRICULUM Hebrew Torah Study Prayer Family Education Programs Community Service Family Shabbat Services Electives (Chugim) Chugim — Jewish-themed projects — change each year in response to student interests. Examples include mock trial, youth chorus, dance, athletics, theater arts, visual arts, gardening, and cooking.

C O N TA C T The Beit Midrash at Beth Chaim 1800 Holbrook Dr. Danville, CA 94506 925.736.7146 x11 www.bethchaim.com schooladmin@bethchaim.com

SPIRITUALLY • EMOTIONALLY • INTELLECTUALLY

For Jews, questions are the key to learning. “ How can Hebrew School possibly be interesting?”

This is not your grandfather’s Hebrew School. We don’t make kids sit in rows, stumbling through prayers nobody understands. The Beit Midrash at Beth Chaim uses art, dance, and drama to make the Jewish experience come to life.

“ What if we don’t have time for another commitment?”

We get it. Which is why we don’t make you come all the time. School meets just twice a week, and you get to choose between Wednesday or Thursday midweek classes.

“ What if we’re not big on the hard-core religion part?”

Our school is committed to supporting each individual’s spiritual journey — adults and children alike, and whatever path that may take. No one is forced to believe anything that doesn’t make sense to him or her.

“ I don’t know much about Judaism.

Won’t I feel ashamed?”

Many families come to Beth Chaim knowing very little about their heritage. Because we’re a Beit Midrash, a “house of learning,” we’re committed to teaching all members of the family. Including you!

“ What if my husband/wife/partner isn’t Jewish?”

Everyone is welcome, and everyone is celebrated.

Our families come in all types, orientations, abilities, and colors.

“ Isn’t it hypocritical to send my child to religious education, when I don’t believe everything in Judaism?”

We encourage our students to think for themselves, to challenge and to ask the tough questions. In the process, we have great discussions in our classrooms, our sanctuary, and our homes. Why not join the conversation?

“ What if our values don’t match the teaching that Jews are better than everyone else?”

Those aren’t our values either — nor our teaching.

We teach our students the Torah’s principle that all people are created b’tzelem E-lohim, “in the image of God.” We learn from the wisdom of all types of Jews, and from non-Jews too.

“ What if my kid thinks it’s just boring?”

Not likely; not the way we do it. You can see it on the faces of our kids. Trust us — they’ll look forward to it! Why not drop by and see for yourself? Call 925.736.7146 to schedule a visit.

The Beit Midrash at Beth Chaim is committed to offering every Jewish child an outstanding Jewish education.

Scholarship applications are available to those in need.

Beth Chaim Congregation, Contra Costa County’s vital Jewish community, provides a vibrant, embracing, and enriching environment for over 500 residents of the Tri-Valley. Beth Chaim takes pride in its policy of independence, without the need to “belong” to a particular “category” of Judaism. It is this independence that allows us to be inclusive of all members, family structures, and religious backgrounds. It is the richness of the tapestry of our membership that provides a wonderful, open family and sets the example of love, acceptance, and diversity for our children. Beth Chaim is more than a synagogue, more than a religious school, more than a center for life-cycle events: our members make a difference in the community, and our Beth Chaim community makes a difference in the lives of our members.

1800 Holbrook Dr., Danville, CA 94506 • 925.736.7146 • www.bethchaim.com