Congregation Beth Tikvah

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• Meet the director
• Philosophy
• Mission
• Curriculum
• Hebrew School
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah Information
• Madrichim
• Religious School Committee

Welcome to the Congregation Beth Tikvah Religious School. Our goal is to provide our students with the basic beliefs, skills, knowledge, understanding and connections to our past and present. These skills will enable students to participate comfortably and actively in all areas of Jewish life. Our positive environment offers experiences and programs to enhance religious and prayer book studies, as well as, help our students and their families adopt Jewish education as a lifelong pursuit. We encourage you to explore our class offerings, and family activities and take part in teaching your child and your family the Jewish values and traditions we strive to live by.

Please be sure to check the calendar for all upcoming event dates, times and locations.

• For class schedules, enrollment forms, and other school related forms, please click on the forms library and locate the appropriate forms.

Meet our Director

Family Education Director

Karen Elson, Email: kelson@bethtikvahcolumbus.org , Ph: 614-885-6286 ext. 17

Karen Elson serves as Director of Education for the Religious School program. Prior to coming to Beth Tikvah, Karen served as Assistant Director and Branch Principal for Kol Ami Community Hebrew School , and as Religious School Director at Temple Israel . She has also served as Education Director at synagogues in Texas and Illinois.

Karen has been serving Beth Tikvah as Assistant Director of Education/Jewish Family Educator for 11 years. She is a native of Dayton, Ohio and has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati, and her Master’s degree in Judaic Studies/Jewish Education from Hebrew Union College.

Karen has been awarded teacher, principal, and R.J.E. (Reform Jewish Educator) certification from the Reform Movement, as well as an honorary doctorate of Jewish religious education.

Karen is married to Rabbi Jeffrey Elson and resides in Pickerington. Her husband serves as the Rabbi at Beth Abraham Synagogue in Zanesville. They have one son, Daniel.

Religious School Philosophy

At Beth Tikvah we believe in fostering a positive and rich Jewish identity. Our teachers are devoted to teaching moral and ethical qualities, and imparting Jewish skills in a joyous and supportive community. Our curriculum focuses on the teachings of the Torah and the prayers and stories of our tradition, as well as holiday rituals, Hebrew study and current events. We believe strongly in placing a special emphasis on the value of tzedakah, community service and acts of loving kindness.

In order to help us further our goals, we welcome and encourage all children to participate in our Religious School and Hebrew School program, regardless of financial ability. We also feel that all children should be afforded the opportunity to learn regardless of their abilities. To assist, we have aides available to support special educational needs. Financial support through the Columbus Jewish Federation allows us to place an aide in the classroom to assist the teacher under certain specific circumstances. The Federation also provides the services of a consultant, who observes children in classrooms as requested, and assists our teachers in adapting their teaching strategies to accommodate children with special needs.

We believe that all children have the ability to learn and grow and be a part of the greater Jewish community.

Religious School Mission

To instill within our children a love of Judaism through the study of Jewish history, liturgy, Bible, holidays, ethics, customs, and values, and to inspire them to embrace their heritage and lead Jewish lives both inside and outside our Jewish community.

The goals of Beth Tikvah’s Religious School are to develop learners who:

• are knowledgeable about the history, liturgy, sacred texts, traditions, values and ethics of the Jewish people
• celebrate Jewish rituals and traditions in the synagogue and at home
• participate in opportunities to explore personal relationships with God
• recognize the place of Hebrew as the sacred language of our people and the language of the modern state of Israel
• understand and appreciate the historical and contemporary relevance of the land of Israel in our lives
• identify with the larger Jewish community of the synagogue, the nation and the world, both in the Diaspora and in Israel
• feel obligated to perform acts of social justice, kindness and compassion
• recognize the role of the family in Jewish life and Jewish education
• value and respect the importance of individual choice for the person, family, and congregation
• identify with Reform Judaism and its emphasis on contemporary thought and liberal practice

Curriculum

Beth Tikvah has a dedicated group of teachers working in our school, many of whom are also members of our congregation. These wonderful teachers continually work to provide enriching opportunities for Jewish learning and religious exploration. Jewish values are integrated into the curriculum and studied at every age through library, music and Jewish holiday observances.

Every class participates in services so that we can teach our students to become functional and comfortable in the synagogue. Holidays and celebrations are taught according to individual grade curricula, and are integrated with the students' general course of study.

We use the URJ Chai Curriculum, which is designed to coincide with the developmental stages of children at each grade level. We hope that all students will begin their studies in Parent-Tot and continue through high school. Along the way we encourage participation in Consecration, B'nai Mitzvah, and Confirmation. These life cycle events are milestones in the path of Jewish learning.

We offer course curriculum for the specific groups listed below. For detailed curriculum details, please contact the Director of Education.

• Parent-Tot (2½ - 4 year olds)
• Gan (4-5 year olds)
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5
• Grade 6
• Grade 7
• Confirmation I (Grade 8)
• Confirmation II (Grade 9)
• Confirmation III (Grade 10)
• Post-Confirmation (Grade 11-12)

Hebrew School

Beth Tikvah’s Hebrew School program is designed to develop students’ ability to read, write, and speak the Hebrew language. In preparation for B’nei Mitzvah, all students are required to complete four years of Hebrew studies.

The goals of Beth Tikvah’s Hebrew School are to develop learners who:

• Are able to participate meaningfully in worship services, not only in their own synagogue but in any synagogue, by providing a firm foundation in prayer.
• Grasp that Hebrew is a living language by learning basic vocabulary and grammar as an introduction to modern Hebrew. Our curriculum includes more than prayer.
• Demonstrate a grounding in the basic building blocks of Hebrew (roots, prefixes, suffixes), so that they may build their understanding of prayers, Bible, and modern language.
• Achieve a level of competence which will lead to a meaningful Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
• Recognize values, concepts, and holiday observance through the use of the Hebrew language and Hebrew songs.
• Are inspired with a love of the Hebrew language and with an appreciation of the importance of the place of Hebrew in Jewish life.

In order to help us further our goals, we welcome and encourage all children to participate in our Religious School and Hebrew School program, regardless of financial ability. We also feel that all children should be afforded the opportunity to learn regardless of their abilities. To assist, we have aides available to support special educational needs. Financial support through the Columbus Jewish Federation allows us to place an aide in the classroom to assist the teacher under certain specific circumstances. The Federation also provides the services of a consultant, who observes children in classrooms as requested, and assists our teachers in adapting their teaching strategies to accommodate children with special needs.

We believe that all children have the ability to learn and grow and be a part of the greater Jewish community.

• For more information, contact Karen Elson

B'nai Mitzvah

At Beth Tikvah, Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a voluntary commitment, but a significant one for both students and their families. In order to make that important decision, the student and his/her family should consider that B'nai Mitzvah is a covenant that includes the student, parents, and congregation.

Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a serious but wonderful experience that should inspire and excite students about their heritage and their future. It is an affirmation of one's Jewish knowledge and maturity with a great sense of being part of something much bigger than themselves, and often leads the student to advanced study. Also during the year of final preparation students and their parents often uncover new views of each other as they work in unison for the special day.

In order to facilitate this understanding, our congregation's Rabbi, Ritual Committee, Education Director and Board of Trustees have determined that, in order to be eligible for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony, a student must have completed certain educational and religious requirements, which are outlined in the B'nai Mitzvah Handbook. All students must be registered and attending the Beth Tikvah Religious School program. The Bar or Bat Mitzvah service is celebrated around the child’s 13th birthday and is scheduled by the Ritual Committee and Rabbi at least 18 months in advance. The ceremony takes place at Beth Tikvah during Saturday morning Shabbat services at 10:30 AM.

• For additional information, please see our B’nai Mitzvah handbook. For additional questions, please contact the Rabbi.

Madrichim

Beth Tikvah features an active madrichim program with high schoolers serving as teaching and office assistants in our Religious School. Madrichim are teachers and role models. They prepare lessons and teach students. They serve as role models to our younger students and create a “coolness” factor to being Jewish. Madrichim lead small group discussions and tutor kids individually in Hebrew. They introduce new and exciting activities and provide feedback to the teachers.

The program is available to eighth grade student or older who are enrolled in Religious School. Student commitment is imperative and lasts the entire season of Religious School. Madrichim do go through and application process and need to have a recommendation from a teacher at Beth Tikvah.

Our investment in the madrichim is an investment not only in their Jewish lives but in the lives of all of our students, by providing them with a Jewish connection and continuing to influence younger generations to do the same.

• The madrichim program is coordinated by Karen Elson

• For a madrichim application, visit our forms library

Religious School Committee

The Religious School Committee is comprised of parents with Religious School children is whom want to have input on programming and policies related to the operation of both the Religious School and Hebrew School. The committee meets 5 times each year and helps support several special events each year. The committee also works to raise money to help fund educational expenses and assist teens on trips to Israel and Washington, D.C.

Parents can attend the meetings at any time to share ideas and find out about Religious School happenings. If you are interested in participating, please check the calendar for upcoming committee meetings.

• To find out more, contact Wendi Stern