Kesher Class Returns to Beth Israel

 We are pleased to announce that the Kesher Sunday School Class is returning to Congregation Beth Israel.  The Kesher Sunday School class is a community-wide Sunday School class for students whose learning differences require them to be in a small class with a special education teacher.  Students are welcome from all congregations in the Houston area as well as those who are not affiliated at this time.  Kesher classes will be included in Beth Israel Religious School’s services and special programs.  This fall, the Kesher Sunday School class will initiate a new format at Congregation Beth Israel.  There will be two separate classes for children with learning differences, one for children 5-11 years old and another class for students 11-18 years old.  The teachers in both classrooms are certified special education teachers with Judaic/Hebrew backgrounds.

The Houston Bureau of Jewish Education has sponsored a Special Education Sunday School for over 25 years, which came to be called the Kesher Sunday School more than 15 years ago.  The Kesher Sunday School offers Jewish programming, holiday study, music, and Hebrew learning, all in a relaxed Jewish environment.

In general, the BJE’s special education goals include offering a variety of support, resources and programs to Jewish parents in the Houston community who have children with learning differences; guiding parents who are seeking a Jewish education for their children; raising community awareness about the needs of Jewish children with learning differences; and assisting in increasing services and programs to these children.  Please contact Diane Brezner, the BJE’s Special Education Consultant, at 713-729-7000, ext. 334, for more information about the Kesher Program.

Having the Kesher class at Beth Israel is a wonderful opportunity for us.  We welcome all of the students and families of the Kesher Program, and hope to make them feel at home at Beth Israel.