The Religious School at Beit Haverim/South Metro Jewish Congregation
Jewish Education for Jews by birth, Jews by choice, and Jews at heart - since 1992
We are proud of our education program at Beit Haverim/SMJC. Our school provides Jewish Education by experienced teachers and our Rabbi. Our school is further supported by a dedicated group of parents and the congregation at large.
A note from our administrator:
Hello Beit Haverim Religious School!
For those of you who don't know me, I am Janet Sahni and, as of
January 1st, I have taken over as Religious School Coordinator. I
have a 6th grade son, David, in Sami's class and a 4th grade daughter,
Juliana, in Beth's class.
First off, big thanks to Michele Beyer for all her hard work with the
Religious School for the first half of the year! As always, she is a
tough act to follow, but I am thrilled to be taking on this role.
Continued thanks to our teachers and aides who work so hard to make
our school fun and interesting week after week.
I am writing this from sunny Arizona (please don't hate me!) so I will
not be present at Religious School tomorrow, but my trusty assistant
Cindy Li will be on hand to keep things running smoothly.
REMINDER: There is no Religious School next Sunday, January 17th due
to the Martin Luther King holiday.
I hope you will all feel free to let me know of any questions or
concerns you have regarding our Religious School. Looking forward to
a great 2010!
Janet Sahni
January 11, 2010
Our teaching staff:
Follow the links from each teacher's name to see notes from your child's teacher on our teacher page.
Robin Kay, a member of Beit Haverim/SMJC since 1999, will be teaching our Pre K and K classes. Robin has been teaching in our school for 7 years in classes from Pre-K thru 1st grade. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a focus on finance. Robin has had the joy of seeing many of her students become Bar/Bat Mitzvah over these 7 years.
Kim Kent, teaching grades 1st thru 3rd, has been teaching our children for 3 years. Kim has been a teacher for over 9 years. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Simon's Rock College and a master's degree in education with a focus on curriculum development from Portland State University. Kim has taught in the Canby School District since 2001 in elementary education (grades 1, 2, and 3) as well serving as the district's technology instructor from Spring 2008 to Spring 2009. Before joining Beit Haverim/SMJC in 2006, Kim taught 7th & 8th grade religious school for Congregation Kol Ami in Vancouver, WA.
Beth Cook, teaching grades 4th and 5th and Hebrew, is our newest teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in History/Russian Studies from the University of Rochester, and has attended the Jewish Women's Archives' Institute for Educators. Beth has been teaching Judaica studies as well as tutoring in Hebrew for 11 years. Most recently, as a Religious School Teacher, Beth has taught 4th grade integrated Hebrew and Chai Judaic studies, created curriculum and instructed 9th and 10th grades in Jewish Cultural History and Jewish Women’s studies. Beth is also currently serving at PJA as a substitute 2nd grade Hebrew/Judaic Studies teacher.
Sami Oberlander, teaching 6th and 7th and Hebrew, has been teaching our children since 2001. She is a licensed middle school/high school teacher who has been teaching Hebrew and Jewish studies for many years. Sami has degrees from universities in Michigan, Israel and Oregon.
Rabbi Alan Berg provides supplemental programs throughout our school during year.
About our Program:
Religious School and Hebrew Classes meet on Sundays at Lake Oswego United Church of Christ (LOUCC), 1111 Country Club Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 (get directions). Our Hebrew classes meet from 2:00 – 3:00 for children in grades 5th – 7th; our Religious School meets from 3:00 – 5:00. See our class schedule for the current year.
The Beit Haverim/South Metro Jewish Congregation Religious School is open to children of all families with active membership at Beit Haverim. Our goal is to enhance our children's knowledge of Jewish History, Values, and Traditions and by doing so, instill pride in being Jewish. We are sensitive to the needs of interfaith families. We promote an inclusive attitude about families' varying paths toward Jewish identity and observance. Above all, we seek to promote friendships among children and their families, and strengthen connections to the Jewish community.
Bubelah (Preschool Class): This program is designed for children ages 3-4. Our preschool education specialist provides age-appropriate exposure to Jewish holidays, Torah heroes and heroines, Jewish stories, and music in a safe, nurturing environment. Children must be potty- trained.
Primary Classes (K-5th): Curriculum includes Jewish values and ethics; Torah, prayer, and worship; Jewish customs, life cycle events, and holidays; Jewish history and literature; tzedakah and social action; and current events. Lessons are presented using age-appropriate hands-on activities, arts and crafts, games, drama, stories, and team projects.
Intermediate Classes (6th and 7th): These two grades address the needs of our 11- to 13- year-old students. They are designed to support the development of a strong Jewish identity, to extend students' learning of Jewish tradition, Jewish law and history; to help them think critically about Jewish issues and dilemmas; and to strengthen their Jewish peers and the wider Jewish community. This class expands upon our primary curriculum, with enhanced intellectual content and more mature activities for their age group.
Hebrew: Beth and Sami will be co-teaching the Hebrew classes this year, using the Shalom U'vracha primer for beginning students, and the Hineini Hebrew through Prayer series for the intermediate to advanced Hebrew students. Students will work at their own pace within the group setting, providing all the tools for prayer reading success! Please provide a snack for your student to enjoy during a short break between Hebrew and religious school.
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Religious School Calendar - 2009/2010
Updated on June 23, 2009
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22
December 6, 13
January 10, 24, 31
February 7, 21, 28
March 7, 14
April 4, 11, 18, 25
May 2 – last day of school
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Rabbinical Leadership:
Rabbi Alan Berg
Email: rabbiberg@beithav.org
Mailing Address:
PO Box 311
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Office:
530 4th St.
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Ph: (503) 344-4839
Fax: (503) 344-4870
Email: office@beithav.org
Worship &
Sunday Religious School:
LO United Church of Christ
1111 Country Club Rd
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Directions
Founding Rabbi &
Rabbi Emeritus:
Rabbi Larry Halpern
 Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
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