Beth+Israel+(Omaha,+NE)

==In a community in which children often are more Jewishly knowledgeable than parents, the congregation will seek ways in which the younger generation can be empowered to serve as an educational resource for adults, specifically in the context of Shabbat and holidays. In addition, it will enhance its multigenerational Shabbat educational programs to help lead families into a pattern of ongoing engagement in the rhythm of Jewish living, and develop a curriculum for parents parallel to the local day school program of study.==

=Informational Materials & Marketing=


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//Beth Israel has seen wonderful successes at programs and services around holiday observances, attracting many members who only occassionally attend Shabbat services along with many non-members. To meet our goal of increasing engagement on Shabbat, we envisioned making Shabbat "an event" twice a month via educational and/or youth-led programs in an effort to replicate our success seen at special holiday events. Our efforts encompass big events with guest speakers and meals to smaller events like having all of the children of the congregation lead Hallel on Shabbos Chanukah. The monthly bulletin of the synagogue shows these Shabbat events. As we move into our second year of funding, the Bulletin details information on upcoming Friday night events. Interesting, it also shows how the development of ideas and programs in the first year of the grant program are sustainable throughout synagogue life. Also included here are the High Holiday Brochures for 5768 and 69. These brochures are at every seat for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and were a good tool for education the entire congregation on the grant program.//


 * Beth Israel Synagogue Monthly Bulletins:**



=**Educational Materials & Best Practices**=

The **__Educational Task Force__** was formed in August of 2007 as part of the "process" component to the Lev Banim grant. Led by Dr. Bloch, the Task Force met on numerous occassions, including two open forum meetings of the congregation and a strategic planning session with synagogue staff. The purpose of the Task Force was to establish goals for Beth Israel's educational programs for children, to evaluate existing synagogue policies relating to educational, and present recommendations for further development of educational offerings. In addition, the Task Force developed a Beth Israel Education Policy Statement to reflect our mission in providing a Jewish education to our members.

A Shabbat Parshah Study book, **__Torah at your Table__**, was developed to parallel the curriculum of both the Day School and the weekly parshah study done at Beth Israel's Junior Congregation. The goal was to provide parents with a tool to use for teaching and discussing the weekly parshiot at their Shabbat table.

Through the initiatives of years one and two of our LHIP grant, Shabbat at Beth Israel has become engaging and intergenerational weekly event.  The day runs as follows:
 * __Shabbat at Beth Israel__**

·  9:00 a.m.  **__ Services __** begin with approximately 15 men and 5 women present ·  9:45 a.m.  **__ Torah Parade __** led by the children.  The intent of the Torah Parade was to get families to the synagogue in time for the Rabbi’s parshah study, Torah service and for the beginning of children’s classes.  The majority of Shabbat morning attendees, generally 75 adults and 25 children, arrive by 9:45. ·  9:50 a.m.  **__ Introduction to the Parshah __** The Rabbi gives a 15 minute class to the congregation (+children 1st grade and up).  “Quiz Questions” listed in the weekly Shabbos Sheet are previewed. ·  10:05 a.m. – Children’s Classes: <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Tot Shabbat __**<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> (2, 3 and 4 year old) This class has a regular routine of songs, Shabbat blessings, parshah and story time. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Greatest Jewish Stories __** (pre-Kindergarten and K) The values of good character and good deeds are taught through stories and the children’s experiences. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Tefillah Classes __**<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> (K - 2nd grade, 3rd - 6th grade) This class, recently sub-divided by age, focuses on learning the prayers of the Shabbat services. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;"> 10:35 a.m. – Children’s Classes: <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Junior Congregation __** (K - 4th grade) Children from Greatest Jewish Stories and both Tefillah classes convene for Parshah study and prayer. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Rejoice O Youth __** (5th grade and up) Using the book by Avigdor Miller, this class delves into challenging questions such as science vs. tradition, a Jewish attitude toward history, free will and why do the good suffer. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Terrific Torah Topics __** (post-Bat Mitzvah) <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> Using the books, __Beyond a Reasonable Doubt__ and __The Thinking Jewish Teenager’s Guide to Life__, the teacher leads an interactive class about life and Judaism. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;"> 10:05 to 11:05 a.m. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> **__Services__** <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> In the sanctuary, the Torah service, reading of Haftarah and the sermon take place. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> Also, the congregation gives the answers to the “Quiz Questions.” <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> These answers and related commentary lead directly into the rabbi’s sermon. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> Following the sermon, Mussaf begins. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;"> 11:05 a.m. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> **__Youth-led Conclusion of Services__**: <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> Children from Junior Congregation and the pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah kids lead Ein Kelohainu and Alienu from the bimah. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> They then teach **__ One Final Note __** (a song printed in the Shabbos Sheet that they have learned in their classes). <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> All of the younger children join on the bimah for Adon Olam. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;"> 11:30 a.m. **__Kiddush__**! <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;"> 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. **__ Bar Mitzvah Preparation __** Currently there are three students. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;"> One hour before Minchah. **__Intergenerational Learning__** (the following three classes are offered; older children and adults select their preferred class): <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Guard Your Tongue __** – With a text adapted from the Chofetz Chaim, this class is an interactive discussion of loshan hora (derogatory/damaging speech). <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ The Great Midrash Class __** – an advanced analysis of Midrash Rabbah. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Advanced Parshah Study __** –a discussion of Torah and commentary. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;"> Following Minchah: <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontweight: bold; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;"> **__ Seuda Shlishit __** – A group of 30 to 40 people, including children as young as 2, come to enjoy youth-led singing and learning Talmud with the rabbi. The group concludes Shabbat each week with a youth-led Havdalah. All Shabbat classes are taught by volunteers. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> In addition, we allow for flexibility with the age parameters within each class to give parents, along with the rabbis and teachers, the opportunity to choose which class is most appropriate for each individual child. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> Above meeting our educational goals, we maintain that creating an enjoyable atmosphere that children and adults enjoy is the key to sustained engagement. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%; font-family: Verdana; mso-spacerun: yes; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> We believe this flexibility is just one tool we can use to give children a Shabbat experience they will enjoy.

As part of Lev Banim, these **__Learning Kits__** will provide materials for parents to use at home with their children. The Kits are printed on card stock, and have two holes punched in the top. This first Kit for Tu B'Shevat included two-inch rings as the binding. Future Kits for each holiday will be punched so parents can add to the binder. Each family in the congregation receives a Kit mailed to them at each holiday. In addition to the Kit, coloring pages and other items, such as a feather with the Pesach Kit for the search for chametz, are included for each child with the Kit mailing.


 * __//Chodesh Chronicles//__** - in year two of LHIP funding, we are expanding on the idea of the Learning Kits to focus on Shabbat. Each //Chodesh Chronicle,// mailed to children at (you guessed it!) Rosh Chodesh, includes information on that month's holidays and weekly parshiot. Also included each month is the feature, "Around the Shabbat Table," with ideas for parents on how to create an interactive learning environment at home on Friday night. Of course, word finds, crossword puzzles and other games are always included for the kids.