Religious School Update, Nancy mastReligious School Update, Nancy Mast
Greetings! This year there are 60 children, ages 3-12, enrolled in the program, including 3 young men who will be called to the Torah as Bar Mitzvah this summer. We have 6 classes and 7 teachers. We are fortunate to have Wendy Kronholm, Liza Klearman, Rema Buffington, and Deb Harrison returning as teachers this year. Even our “new” teachers this year, Aubrey Tenner, Gabrie Higbie, and Sheryl Odza, have taught in the Sunday School program before and are returning after taking a break. We are so thankful to have such dedicated and creative teachers helping to guide our children and instill in them a positive Jewish identity and love of Judaism.
The weekly Family Service continues to be a vibrant part of our Sunday School program. At the start of each Sunday School meeting time, teachers, students, and many parents join together for a short worship service. An exciting new program this year is the monthly Family Friday Program. Sunday School families and the B’nai Vail community-atlarge gather together in age-appropriate groups to learn about a common topic. Everyone then reassembles to share what they’ve learned during a short Friday Service. This is followed by blessings and a pot luck dinner. We invite you to join us for the next Family Friday Program at the new Edwards Interfaith Chapel.
Speaking of the Edwards Interfaith Chapel, funding to finish the learning areas was received and the classrooms have been completed. Our first classes were held the end of March. Thanks to all in the B’nai Vail community who donated money to help build the Edwards Interfaith Chapel which allows the B’nai Vail Sunday School to have classroom space of our own…finally! Another exciting development this year is the creation of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah handbook that Rabbi Debra has created with the input of the Education Steering Committee and parents. This handbook should help parents and children prepare for this important life event. In addition, it should also help the Sunday School further develop our program in order to provide our students with a Jewish education that prepares them to be called to the Torah and to lead a fulfilling life as a Jewish adult.
Religious School Update, Nancy Mast
Greetings! This year there are 60 children, ages 3-12, enrolled in the program, including 3 young men who will be
called to the Torah as Bar Mitzvah this summer. We have 6 classes and 7 teachers. We are fortunate to have Wendy
Kronholm, Liza Klearman, Rema Buffington, and Deb Harrison returning as teachers this year. Even our “new”
teachers this year, Aubrey Tenner, Gabrie Higbie, and Sheryl Odza, have taught in the Sunday School program before
and are returning after taking a break. We are so thankful to have such dedicated and creative teachers helping to
guide our children and instill in them a positive Jewish identity and love of Judaism.
The weekly Family Service continues to be a vibrant part of our Sunday School program. At the start of each Sunday
School meeting time, teachers, students, and many parents join together for a short worship service. An exciting new
program this year is the monthly Family Friday Program. Sunday School families and the B’nai Vail community-atlarge
gather together in age-appropriate groups to learn about a common topic. Everyone then reassembles to share
what they’ve learned during a short Friday Service. This is followed by blessings and a pot luck dinner. We invite you
to join us for the next Family Friday Program on Friday, Aril 8th, at the new Edwards Interfaith Chapel. The topic
that night will be Preparing Ourselves for Passover.
Speaking of the Edwards Interfaith Chapel, funding to finish the learning areas was received and the classrooms are
currently being completed. Depending on when they are completed, we may start having class at the new Edwards
Chapel during this school year. If not, the plan will be to start holding Sunday School there at the start of the 2011-
2012 school year. Thanks to all in the B’nai Vail community who donated money to help build the Edwards Interfaith
Chapel which will allow the B’nai Vail Sunday School to have classroom space of our own…finally! Another exciting
development this year is the creation of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah handbook that Rabbi Debra is creating with the input
of the Education Steering Committee and parents. This handbook should help parents and children prepare for this
important life event. In addition, it should also help the Sunday School further develop our program in order to
provide our students with a Jewish education that prepares them to be called to the Torah and to lead a fulfilling life
as a Jewish adult.
