Welcome to Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School. We are so happy to have you join us this 2017-2018 school year! Our first day is Tuesday, September 12th at 4:00 PM, we are looking forward to seeing you then!
From 5:30-6:00 PM we will be having Parents Back to School in the Chapel, please join us.
Meet Your Zayin (7th Grade) Teachers: RABBI ALEX FREEDMAN [email protected]
Alex Freedman was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a product of a Jewish community day school. Rabbi Freedman attended Camp Ramah in Wisconsin for 14 summers as a camper, counselor, and Rosh Eidah (Unit Head). He studied Jewish Studies, Education, and Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree.
Alex completed Rabbinical School at JTS in 2013, where he graduated with Masters degrees in Jewish Education and in Talmud. Along the way he spent three academic years studying and volunteering in Israel. Alex is a recipient of the prestigious Wexner Graduate Fellowship, and he also enjoys playing and discussing sports of all kinds.
Alex is married to Laura Seidenberg Freedman, of Chicago. They are the proud parents of two boys, Avi and Elie.
MICHELLE GOLBARI [email protected]
Michelle Golbari is thrilled to be back teaching both Bet (2nd Grade) & Zayin (7th Grade) this year. She lives with her family in Paramus, NJ.
She holds an Associate’s degree in teaching and is currently enrolled in Montclair University’s teaching program.
Michelle enjoys being able to see the growth in the children from 2nd Grade to 7th Grade! She is here three times each week teaching.
JESSE STRULOWITZ [email protected]
Jesse Strulowitz has been at Temple Emanuel for one year now, working as a Teacher as well as Shadow. He has previously worked as a shadow in a Montessori school in East Brunswick, NJ.
He is currently enrolled at Middlesex County College as pursuing a degree in Education.
Prior to his interest in education, Jesse was an audio engineer for a comedy club in Manhattan, Stand Up NY. Jesse has worked with comedians such as Artie Lange, Jim Norton, Michael Che, Joe List and more.
Shabbat Services for Zayin (7th Grade) Families Below are the dates on which all 7th Graders will attend.
Friday Evening Services
Family Kabbalat Shabbat: On the third Friday of every month at 7 PM, join us with the whole family for an engaging musical Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday Services. Upcoming Dates: 10/20, 11/17, 12/15, 1/19, 2/16, 3/16, 4/20
Saturday Morning Services
All 7th graders should attend SIX (6) Shabbat morning services in the six months prior to their B’nai Mitzvah.
**Please note that services begin at 9:00 AM.
Our Interactive Shabbat Services Are Led By:
Rabbi Alex Freedman Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner Cantor Singer
Questions, Comments, Concerns? We’re here to help!
Administration
Adam Schwartzbard Naama Heymann Educational Director Assistant Principal [email protected] [email protected]
Christiina Buchert Religious School Administrative Assistant [email protected] Temple Emanu-El Religious School Curriculum Zayin (7th Grade)
Our Zayin curriculum focuses on Jewish living in the modern world, with a blend of familiar and new material. Unlike previous year, the entire grade remains together and is not broken into separate classes.
Each week begins with the Mincha Tefillah service, which includes many of the prayers they will lead during their B’nai Mitzvah. Rabbi Freedman teaches weekly for 25 minutes. During the Jewish holidays, he will introduce a new perspective to the story behind the holiday, seeking to understand it now as adults and not kids. Other topics will include: deciding where our Tzedakah should go; what the Torah says about relationships; current events in Israel, and more. Following his presentation, there will be different guest speakers, who are often comprised of congregants and local leaders. They will share their stories, expertise, and talents with the students to demonstrate how multifaceted Jewish living is in the 21st century. Examples of topics covered include:
Israeli cadets and former soldiers Holocaust survivors Jewish comedians Sensitivity to disability workshop Adolescent Sexuality, media, and aggression expert. Anti- bullying workshop
Teachers
Michelle Golbari [email protected]
Rabbi Alex Freedman [email protected]
Administration
Adam Schwartzbard Naama Heymann Educational Director Assistant Principal [email protected] [email protected]
Christiina Buchert Religious School Administrative Assistant [email protected]