Parent/Student Calendar & Handbook Mirochnick Religious School & youth department B’nai Torah Congregation of Boca Raton, Inc. 6261 Southwest 18th Street, Boca Raton, Fl 33433 2014 561-392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org 2015 5775 B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street, Boca Raton, Fl 33433 561-392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org MIROCHNICK RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FACULTY 2014-2015 / 5775

Maruka Mirochnick Cathy Berkowitz Beth Herman Education Director Executive Assistant of Education

Chen Asulin Yardena Barzilay Adam Berkowitz Fred Berkowitz Jodi Berman Sharon Chazan Dana Davidson Rabbi Dina Fishman Debbie Fried David Englander

Perle Gass Stephanie Geoff Gross, Nathan Hevenstone Myriam Hochman Cantor Jack Ismalon Sheryl Menaged Dalia Michaeli Elana Ostroff Dinath Rose Goldstein Youth Director

Lauren Saldsman Jeremy Stein Bonnie Smith Rabbi Zachary Smith Cantor Ben Tisser Lani Vahnish David Steinhardt B’nai Torah Congregation of Boca Raton, Inc. A Conservative Congregation “Synagogue of Excellence” The Mirochnick Religious School Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Bernard & Maruka Mirochnick, Founders 6261 SW 18th Street . Boca Raton, FL 33433 School Office: (561) 392-8005 Youth Department Office: (561) 392-8566 ext. 330 Fax: (561) 362-0990 www.bnai-torah.org

Administrative Staff Cathy Berkowitz / Education Director, MRS AviGail Whiting / Synagogue Engagement Coordinator E-mail: [email protected] Betsey Cooper / Receptionist Elaine Siegell / Rabbi Steinhardt’s Executive Assistant Beth Herman / Executive Assistant of Education Joann LaBarca / Accounting E-mail: [email protected] Krista Walker / Director of Operations Laurie Brown / Accounting Assistant Geoff Gross / Youth Director Leesa Parker / ECC Director of Operations E-mail: [email protected] Reesa Kohn / Front Desk Sharon Chazan / Assistant to the Cantor Zena Gruda / B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator Professional Staff David Steinhardt / Senior Rabbi B’nai Torah Officers David Englander / Rabbi Tobi Levi* / President Ehud (Udi) Spielman / Senior Cantor Mark Glickman* / Executive Vice President Scott Frank / Vice President Benjamin Tisser / Cantor Debbie Kestenberg / Vice President Eric Glasshofer / Executive Director Scott Levin / Vice President Nancy Goldstein / Early Childhood Center Director Mark Polani / Vice President Pam Appelbaum / Early Childhood Center Assistant Director Steve Ginsburg / Treasurer Sam Hitner / Director of Finance Jerry Budney / Secretary Allyson Harman / Director of Synagogue Engagement Elissa Shosheim* / Financial Secretary Allison Sherman / Communications Director Craig Storch / Past President Claudia Sternberg / Art Director Women’s League Elysa Stark / Concert & Cultural Arts Coordinator Shelly Gross / President Summer Faerman / Director of Tzedakah, Learning & Chesed Men’s Club Larry Faerman / Co-President David Dweck / Co-President Education Committee Youth Commission Tammy Szerencsy / Chair Marvin Finkelstein / Chair

Please patronize our Women’s League giftshop, as our Religious School receives generous financial assistance from them. Our Vision at the mirochnick religious school: Religious School Schedule

The vision is to create an observant Conservative activities; and come to B’nai Torah each KINDERGARTEN - 5 ( or Sunday): GRADES K & 1 Jewish learning community with an overarching week for chapter programming. BRUSY meets SAT: 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. SUN: 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. purpose to convey appreciation for the joy and every Tuesday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. GRADES 2 - 5 richness of Jewish life. Programming varies, offering something for SAT: 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. SUN: 9:30 - 12:30 p.m. every interest level. By creating a positive informal and fun Jewish GRADES 2 - 5, one day of week & time slot: MON:* 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. MON: 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. learning environment for students and their What is ? Grades 6-8 TUES: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. TUES: 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. families, they can successfully make connections Kadima is United Synagogue’s youth group for WED: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. WED: 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. between tefillah, song, mitzvot and midot 6th - 8th graders. Kadima is a great place to THURS: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. THURS: 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. incorporating them into their daily lives which meet and connect with other Jewish middle MIDDLE SCHOOL: we hope will carry over into a lifelong pursuit school students here at B’nai Torah, and around GRADE 6 SHABBAT of Jewish learning. the sub-region and region. Kadimanicks can SAT: 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. participate in social action, religious education, one day of week & time slot: programming and more, and of course, *See schedule above* YOUTH DEPARTMENT: 1st Sunday of the month: Sunday FUNday 11:00-12:30 there is an emphasis on building friendships and 2nd Sunday of the month: TLC-Community Service Hours What is USY? Grades 9-12 having fun! “Kadimanicks” have the opportunity (Also B’nai Mitzvah tutor and prayer classes which are a part , more commonly to attend sub-regional conventions, Yom Disney of the B’nai Mitzvah requirement) known as USY, is a youth group comprised weekend, and Gesher, a convention for 8th GRADE 7 SHABBAT of members from the and graders. Our B’nai Torah Kadima chapter meets SAT: 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. st . USY is dedicated to creating a fun once a week on Thursdays from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 1 Sunday of the month: Sunday FUNday 11:00-12:30 2nd Sunday of the month: TLC-Community Service Hours and educational environment in which Jewish What is Bonim? Grades 2-5 (Also B’nai Mitzvah tutor and prayer classes which are a part teenagers can connect through social action, of the B’nai Mitzvah requirement) Bonim is B’nai Torah’s youth program for 2nd - support for Israel, acts of tzedakah (charity) and 5th graders. It offers a variety of activities and GRADE 8 (Post B’nai Mitzvah) more - all while having a great time! USY is open 1st Sunday of the month: Sunday FUNday 11:00-12:30 meets once a month on Sunday afternoon from to all Jewish teenagers in grades 9th - 12th, and 2nd Sunday of the month: TLC-Community Service Hours 12:30-2:30 p.m. This group does both in-house rd while synagogue membership is not required, 3 Shabbat of the month: Shabbhappy hour 9:00-12:00 and away events, which provides for social it is strongly encouraged. Our USY group here HIGH SCHOOL: development. at B’nai Torah is known as BRUSY (short for Boca 1st Shabbat of the month: Shabbhappy hour 9:00-12:00 Raton USY). USYers have the opportunity to 2nd Sunday of the month: TLC-Community Service Hours rd attend conventions (sub-regionally, regionally, 3 Sunday of the month: Sunday FUNday 11:00-12:30 Occasional weekday sessions and internationally); participate in city-wide Mirochnick Religious School Curriculum

Experiential Family Education Our educational process is approached not only from the formal avenue of classroom Family education is a huge component of our religious school because we believe that instruction, but from the experiential and emotional path, better known as “informal parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers. When children see that their parents education.” As the great writer Aldous Huxley wrote, “Experience is not what happens to you; value Jewish learning and participation, it is natural for them to follow suit. During our Family it is what you do with what happens to you.” Events, parents role model active Jewish learning as they attend enthusiastically and actively participate in discussions. This gives parents the opportunity to convey their values, insights Experiential or “informal” education is the lifelong process whereby every individual acquires and more, as they continue their role as their child’s first and most important teacher. attitudes, values, skills, and knowledge from daily experiences and the educative influences and resources in his or her environment — from family and neighbors, from work and play, Hebrew from school, and the child’s mentors. Hebrew Beit Midrash-Our Hebrew program is a model for Differentiated learning. Differentiated learning is defined as “the right of each pupil to be taught in a way specifically Through our experiential education programs, students experience the world around them tailored to their individual learning needs.” Because each learner comes to school with a in a variety of ways. These experiences support both classroom learning as well as provide different set of learning needs, examples of which include differing educational, personal, students with unique opportunities that enhance their overall education. There are specific and communal contexts and varying degrees of academic skill development, differentiated curricular elements that have been carefully planned by the religious school staff to give the instruction advocates a variety of instruction methods so as to best facilitate effective students opportunities of experiencing the curriculum while they are learning the material. learning experiences which are suited to the various learning needs within the student.

When entire families, including your youngest and oldest children, can all share learning and Classroom Structure: experience around the same content, greater connections are made to Judaism and to • Students will come in either 3:30-5:00 or 5:15-6:45 each other. We believe our learning has greater impact because the entire family is invested • Classes will be held in the Education Social Center (ESC) together in a common pursuit of knowledge. • Students will receive their folder with their brit (instructional contract) • There will be a total of 25 levels in this Hebrew Program. We believe that the best kind of learning comes from meaningful experiences. Each grade • Students will begin doing the activities that are required of them level accesses our curriculum in an age appropriate manner through the principles of • Teachers will be assigned to certain students and will document their observations. experiential education. Through our experiential methods, our students live their learning by • Teachers initial after a child works at a station and masters the skill. participating in student driven projects and experiences. Our students learn by observing, • When child completes all activities on the brit; he/she will be assessed by Director or participating, creating & sharing. Our educators break up their time and develop activities Assistant to the Director based on their theme in conjunction with the attention span, interests, and ability levels of the • All students have the capacity to learn. various grades they teach. • Each student learns at their own pace which is known as differentiated learning • Each student is unique and this program respects the individual differences T’filah • Accommodates family’s overloaded schedules T’filah is a powerful part of what we do for several reasons. First, our students have the chance • Teacher to student ratio will be 1:6 to experiment with keva and kavannah (the things you need to know to pray with a group, and the spiritual connection that fills your heart). Secondly, our students have the chance Learning Centers: to hear, recite and practice prayers that they need to know for Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Our • Independent work students gain a sense of familiarity with the order of the service as well as the prayers, and • File folder activities individual students and grade levels have the opportunity to lead the group at various times. • Games activities • Manipulative center Community • Dictionary center It is said that you cannot practice Judaism in a vacuum; you need other people. Through our • Audio/Computer center connections with others, we find support, friendship and new ideas. Through our connections with others, we can fulfill mitzvot and build a kehillah (community). Our religious school *Students will be required to choose from four of the six centers. Depending on the level there program builds community in two main ways – through our students and through our parents. will be centers that will be required for them to do, i.e. audio-learn the prayer melodies. Mirochnick Religious School Curriculum

B’nai Torah Congregation High School Programl

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and l MRS l l l USY The place to be for Jewish Teens! B’nai Torah Congregation Middle School Program KadiM B’nai Torah is offering a “The BesT of BoTh worlds” and Making friends! at a discounted rate! MRS

why register for just Mrs or UsY

when you can reap the benefits of BooThU at a great, reduced rate. we want Y The Best to enjoy all the learning, social, and of Both worlds! most of all fUN opportunities that both the Mrs high school Program Creating memories! and UsY have to offer. New for this year! B’naiY Torah is offering “The BesT of BoTh worlds” saying... S are teens with combined programming! our What “B’nai Torah is strengthening “B’nai Torah always feels like home!” why register for just Mrs when you can enjoy my Jewish roots and shaping who I am.” all the learning, social, and most of all fUN “B’nai Torah gave me more than a “... allowing me to explore and religion... it gave me a lifestyle.” opportunities that both the Mrs solidify my connection to Israel Middle school Program and Kadima have to offer. and Judaism.” mRs B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org SEPTEMBER

Kadima NO SCHOOL USY Theme All Attend Night Theme Night b’nai torah u. Samantha albert

b’nai torah u. Kadima B’Yachad ECC OPEN HOUSE USY Theme Shabbat Dinner High School Night Theme Night Middle School

TLC High School USY Theme Kadima Middle School Middle School Night Theme Night

Sub-Regional USY Theme Kadima/USY NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL KICKOFF Night Brenna Kornblatt

NO USY NO SCHOOL Board Meeting selma drucker B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org OCTOBER

KADIMA 1st High School Grades 6-8 Parent NO KADIMA SUBREGIONAL OpeningBoard NOworkshop SCHOOL day SHABBATON Meeting

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL USY/Kadima Sukkah with CSK Breakfast Sukkah Dinner

TLC Kgn Treasure Simchat Torah HuntHigh forSchool GOD Middle School USY Theme KGN Consecration Middle School Sukkot USY & Sundaes Night NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL BeachB’Yachad Day

Middle School Middle School USY Theme Ed. Comm. Kadima havdalah High School Retreat Retreat Night Reception Theme Night bingo

MiddleBONIM School Bertuch NO USY NO KADIMA PROGRAMRetreat Parent Workshop Board Board Bonim Program Meeting Meetingsofia ekis B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org NOVEMBERNOVEMBER

B’YachadHigh School

no school BARNESMITZVAH & NOBLE no school USYwith Kadima

BOOKDAY! FAIR Teacher NO USY CSK Theme Night All attend All School Workshop Day Mitzvah Day KGN-12th

USY Women’s League High School High School NO SCHOOL USY Sub USY Subs MITZVAH Palm Beach & Bertuch RetreatRegional - RetreatB’Yachad - “Make A Difference” NO USY County at BT Convention DAY! Program Miami MiddleMiami School

High School Parent USY Subs USY Theme Kadima Kadima Sub Kadima Subs HighRetreat School - Workshop - Regional Night Theme Night KGN MiamiTreasure Hunt Follow up for Convention for God Retreat

Kadima Subs NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL USYno Turkeyschool no school no school Trot NO SCHOOL B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org DECEMBERDECEMBER

no school NO USY NO KADIMA High School HighHigh SchoolSchool Board Board Retreat Retreat Meeting Meeting Milion Kornblatt

no school- High School Bertuch Kadima B’Yachad USY Theme Shabbat Dinner all attend Retreat Parent Workshop Night Theme Night b’nai torah Chanukah Celebration university

TLC ’ Kadima & USY bHighnai Schooltorah Last day- NO SCHOOL universityMiddle School NO USY Nursing Home no school Wintervisit BARNESHigh School & NOBLE BOOK FAIR Break

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL USY Int’l USY Int’l USY Int’l USY Int’l USY Int’l Conventionno school Conventionno school Conventionno school Conventionno school Conventionno school no school

sophie gore

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL no school no school no school gabriella & Zachary koenig Zachary & Gabriella Koenig B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org JANUARYJANUARY

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL no school no school noRamah school Alumni Shabbat

NO SCHOOL School Back USY Kadima Teen Showcase NOschool USY B’Yachad no school inno Sessionschool resumes CSK at BT Theme Night

TLC USY Young USY Young High School USY Theme Kadima Leader’s Leader’s Middle School Convention Theme Night Middle School USY Basketball Night School in Session

USY Young Kadima Leader’s NO SCHOOL NO USY NO KADIMA HighYOM SchoolSPORT no school Board Board Late High School Meeting Meeting Night School in Session

Kadima BonimB’Yachad USY Theme Night Theme Night B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org FEBRUARYFEBRUARY

World Wide NO USY USY at CSK Kadima High School Wrap 5th -8th Theme Night High School Middle School Ian & Zachary S JARC Tu B’Shevat szerencsy

WorldTLC WideHigh SchoolWrap Kadima NO SCHOOL GradesMiddle School5– 12 USY Theme Night Theme Night Ian & zachary szerencsy

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL USY Theme Kadima Middle School Kadima & USY Night Theme Night no school Yom Disney kendall lean Jacob william Schaeffer

NO USY NO KADIMA Bonim Program B’Yachad no school no school Board Board Meeting Meeting

Bonim B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org MARCH

Kadima & USY High School PURIM B’Yachad NO KADIMA High School CELEBRATION Theme Night Shaloch Manot

TLC High School Middle School USY Theme Kadima NO SCHOOL

USY SATO Night Theme Night Bryce albert Sunday

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL 8th Grade 8th Grade Gesher Gesher Convention Lillie Feingold

NOPURIM SCHOOL USY Theme NO KADIMA 8th Grade no school no school no school no school CELEBRATIONGesher Night Board no school

zachary feldman Meeting

school resumes no school no5th school Grade connor lean NO USY all attend YAD PROGRAM Board b’nai torah b’nai university torah Jennifer Meeting hemmert university B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org APRIL

NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO KADIMA High School

Elias Drucker

NO5th SCHOOL Grade School in Session Class in Session Class in Session NO SCHOOL Class in Session YAD Kadima & USY NO KADIMA Program Theme Night Kelsey Altschul kelsey altschul

USY Regional USY Regional YOM HASHOAH USY Theme Kadimaschool Convention Convention no school no school no school no school PROGRAM Night Themeresumes Night B’Yachad Middle School

USY Regional USY Theme Kadima Convention no school no school school High School Night resumes Theme Night

Yom Hashoa Kadima & BonimProgram Program NO USY USY High School Elections B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org MAYMAY

B’Yachad HighHigh SchoolSchool

B’nai Mitzvah Kadima & USY mrs havurat DATE PARTY Lag Ba’Omer shabbatReligious Schoollunch Shabbat Middle & High Party Schooladina silverstein Banquet All Grades

NOno SCHOOLschool- no school- all attend LAST LAST LAST LAST all attend mrs havurat DAY! DAY! DAY! DAY! end of year shabbat lunch celebration!

Last day- Schoolwide Celebration!Kaylee Eden schaffer brady bloom B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org JUNE

Siyyum Limudim Middle School & High School Logan Weitzner

mikayla berkowitz Mikayla Berkowitz

Hannah Feingold Hannah Feingold B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org JULY

max silverstein B’nai Torah Congregation Mirochnick Religious School & youth department 6261 Southwest 18th Street . Boca Raton, Fl 33433 (561) 392-8005 . www.bnai-torah.org AUGUSTAUGUST

Eliana Feingold Eliana feingold

carly szerencsy Carly Szerencsy 2014-20155775