Religious School | Overview

Our 7th Graders are amazing! Under Renee Waghalter and Jennifer Pickett’s direction, these students have planned and are implementing a Read-a-thon which will benefit the Joshua and Robin Berry Children’s Trust and Shriner’s Hospital for Children. We hope all Beth Israel students will participate – even those who do not read yet (just record the number of pages that you’ve read together). Click here for more information. Sponsor forms and reading logs are available from the Religious School.

Mark your calendars for our Annual Pancake Breakfast and Registration Kick-off on Sunday, February 26th. All registration materials are on the website (to the right), or you may pick them up at the Pancake Breakfast. Registrations that are completed and paid in full by February 28th will be discounted by $75/student. The regular tuition and fees will be in effect from February 28th to May 31st; on June 1st a $100/student late fee will be applied.

Miriam Browning Jewish Learning Center
Through the generosity of Lynn and Armand Shapiro and Jeri and Mark Shapiro, great grandchildren of Mamie Browning, the Religious School has been named the Miriam Browning Jewish Learning Center. Miriam Browning was a beloved religious school teacher and devoted lifetime member of Congregation Beth Israel. Born in Houston in 1871, her family were leaders in the Jewish and broader community. The family experienced the many changes that came as Beth Israel grew, from the time when it was originally an Orthodox congregation and as it evolved into a Reform congregation. Mamie, as she was fondly called, developed a strong love and lifelong connection to Judaism and religious education which she generously and affectionately shared with family and students throughout her lifetime. She taught Religious School kindergarteners for over 40 years, instilling her love of Judiasm in generations of Beth Israel families.

Samuel E. Karff Scholar Award applications have been sent to Religious School 11th and 12th grade students. This award is given to outstanding students emphasizing leadership and commitment to Beth Israel and the greater Jewish community. Students submit applications; the recipients are determined by committee. Deadline for applications is March 2nd.

Save the Date:High School (9th-12th grades) Retreat August 18-19, 2012

Class Sessions
Religious School: Grades PreK-6 Sunday
9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Hebrew Classes: Grades 4-7
Weds. (Beth Israel) or Thurs. (Memorial)
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
High School: Grades 7-11 Sunday
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Regular Service Schedule

PreK - 3rd Grade 9:00-9:25 am Chapel
4th - 6th Grade 10:45-11:15 am Chapel

Family Services begin at 10:45, unless noted.

September 11 Shalom Sunday 10:15

October 30

December 11 9:00-9:30

January 15

February 26 9:00-9:30 Pancake Breakfast & Registration Kick-Off

May 6

Adult Hebrew
We regret that due to lack of enrollment, the Adult Hebrew class will not be offered at this time. We will post information when this becomes available.

Amazon
Do you shop at Amazon.com? We encourage you to go to use this link (Amazon), when you want to shop. All purchases that you make through this link will benefit the Religious School. Thank you!

Paving our Future
As we continue to build our school with a vision for the future, we ask you to be our partners in helping us pave the way for the future by purchasing engraved brick pavers to be placed in the walkway leading to the entry of Religious School. All proceeds will benefit Congregation Beth Israel Religious School. Your participation will enable you to inscribe a message in honor of your child or grandchild on a brick which will become a permanent record to be seen and appreciated for years to come. Please see Ways to Give on the homepage of this website. Or you may call the Religious School office at 713-271-7369.

Congregation Beth Israel’s Religious School is dedicated to inspiring a life-long commitment to learning and Jewish values among our youth. The teaching staff is filled with individuals who are committed to creating a warm, exciting and supportive learning environment. Many of our teachers have advanced degrees in education and all of them are caring people who are passionate about Judaism. The enrollment of more than 500 students is open to children of Congregation Beth Israel members.

Parents

Providing your child a Jewish education is one of the most important gifts you can share. We invite you to become an active participant in your child’s Jewish education and in our Beth Israel community through the many learning and social activities for adults and families. Join us at Shabbat or holiday worship services, chaperone a class, attend a family learning day, join your children in doing mitzvot, share in the joy of your child’s learning and discovery. Get involved!

For more information, please call the Religious School Office at: (713) 271-7369.