by Clare Kinberg
As Beit Sefer/Religious School director, and with our summer recruitment drive swinging into gear, I’ve been asking myself: What do parents look for when choosing a Jewish religious school? The decision to send a child to religious school is a big one for parents: it sends a strong message to your child that “Jewish identity is very important to me, and I want it to be important to you.” Some parents look to repeat their own experience; others are emphatically looking to not repeat their Hebrew school experience; still others are looking for the Jewish education they never had. Parents usually want their kids’ Jewish educational experience to be in a community that reflects them and their values.
And then there are also all the practical matters: Does it fit our family’s schedule? Is it affordable? Experts in the field and my own experience agree that parents have these and many other questions: Who will be teaching my children? How will Hebrew be taught? Will we be expected to attend services with the congregation? Parents are anxious about their children fitting in and about the friendliness of other parents.
So, what can I do to help families decide if our school is right for them? I want to meet individually with each family that might consider enrolling their children in the school and to talk about things like: What are your hopes for your children’s Jewish education? Do you want to be involved by volunteering in the classroom, sometimes learning alongside your kids, participating in holiday celebrations together? Are there particulars of your own family’s beliefs and backgrounds that you want respected?
I want parents to know that the Beit Sefer teachers and I really celebrate the diversity of experiences of each student and their family and that we will be authentic about our own Jewish practice. I want them to know that we intend for their children to learn Jewish traditions in prayer and practice so that they are prepared to create Jewish practice that is personally meaningful. With that goal in mind, our curriculum includes instruction on Jewish holidays, history, and values, with an emphasis on social justice. We also teach modern Hebrew and the decoding skills that will prepare children to engage with liturgical texts.
A current Beit Sefer parent says:
As someone who got his fair share of Jewish education (little of it very rewarding, let alone enjoyable, and some of it literally scary), I really like that the Beit Sefer and AARC have led my son to developing an enthusiastic, proud Jewish identity that’s not tribal or elitist. I think the real sign that we’re on the right track is that my kids are excited to go to Beit Sefer and AARC events, and were bummed when Beit Sefer wrapped up for the summer.
Most of all, I want families to know that our religious school provides a warm, nurturing, welcoming environment for children and for parents. A central goal of the AARC Beit Sefer is to build and sustain community. While the time commitment for AARC Beit Sefer is minimal–one Sunday morning each week during the school year–students and their families are warmly invited to participate in and help to create Shabbat and holiday observances with the AARC community. All children are welcome to attend the Beit Sefer, and to participate with their families in AARC observances, regardless of their family’s formal religious affiliation or membership in the congregation.
From another parent, new to our religious school this year:
We were looking for a place where our son could learn about Jewish history, culture, and language, while being taught enough about the underlying beliefs to allow him to make an informed spiritual decision when he is older. The AARC Beit Sefer was welcoming to our interfaith household, and provided just the sort of nurturing-yet-fun learning environment we were looking for, and our son loves attending.
The AARC Beit Sefer teachers and I are very proud of what we accomplished in our Hebrew school last year. I am excited to share this experience and our plans for next year by meeting personally this summer with prospective families.
- Contact director Clare Kinberg to ask questions or set up time to meet
- Read more about our religious school
- Details on how to enroll your child
