Hebrew School Handbook Chabad of Bradenton – School Year 2013-14

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Learn it. Live it. Love it.

5712 Lorraine Road, Bradenton, Fl 34211 Tel: (941) 752-3030 Web: www.chabadofbradenton.com or E-mail [email protected]

Welcome to Chabad Hebrew School, the newest and most innovative Hebrew School in Manatee County. Our School is a trendsetter in creative Jewish education for children ages five to twelve.

Chabad Hebrew School begins on Sunday, September 9.

Our student body is made up of children from various backgrounds and affiliations. We encourage you, as a parent to get involved, ask questions and keep in touch with our school. You may very well discover that your child’s Hebrew School education at Chabad Hebrew School will add an enriching spiritual di- mension to the lives of your entire family.

To attain a strong feeling of identity with their heritage and to develop a sense of love and pride in being Jewish.

Discover and explore the Torah (Bible), the incredible history of the Jewish people and see its relevance for all times.

Gain an understanding of the practices and traditions of Judaism.

Know the morals, values and ethical behavior mandated by the Torah.

Hands-on experience and appreciation for all holidays.

Master the skills of Hebrew reading and writing through a new and creative program “Aleph Champ.”

Understand basic Hebrew words, emphasizing prayers so that the students will feel comfortable when attending services.

Identify with the land of Israel as their own land and its inhabitants.

Allow students to express their opinions and questions about G-d, Torah and religion.

Attain a “Jewish” perspective on life and maintain Jewish feelings and involvement beyond the years at Hebrew School and ultimately perpetuate this onto future generations.

Ages: Our program is for boys and girls ages 5 -12 Dates: School Orientation, Sunday, August 26, 11am – noon Hebrew School begins on Sunday, August 25. Hours: Classes are held on Sundays 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Address: Chabad of Bradenton, 5712 Loraine Road, Bradenton FL 34211

Tuition: $400. No child will be turned away for lack of funds. If needed, please request a scholarship form. Kindergarten Children come FREE! (some restrictions apply) Registration: Fill out an application and mail it to our office. There is a $50 registration fee & $50 book fee per child due upon registration. Scholarships not applicable to registration and book fee. Important #’s: Administrator: Rabbi Mendy Bukiet (941)-752-3030 Ext. 3 Director: Chanie Bukiet (941) 752-3030 Ext. 2 Alternate number in case of emergency or during school hours: 941-284-2426

Hebrew

Beginning with letter recognition for our youngest children, this program leads them through phonetic de- coding, reading comprehension and writing. Age appropriate textbooks and workbooks will be completed throughout the year.

Torah (Bible) and Jewish History

The children are introduced to the characters and stories of the Bible. They are given an overview of Jew- ish history starting with creation to the giving of the Torah to modern day Israel.

Holidays

Hands-on lessons on each Jewish holiday will fill the calendar as we proceed from Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays through the holiday of Shavuot. The students will have a deeper understanding of each holiday and its traditions and customs. Chabad Hebrew School will also host holiday celebrations for our students and their families.

Jewish Values and Ethics

Using the various textbooks the students will read and discuss stories and case scenarios that have practical application to our everyday life. They will understand that our religion is based on a G-d given set of values and morals and that the “norm” is not always in the right.

Mitzvot: Why We Do What We Do

Why do women light Shabbat candles? Why is Shabbat such a special day in the week? Why do we have a Mezuzah on our doors? This class will teach basic Mitzvot to the younger grades and provide insightful meaning of more complex Mitzvot to the older grades.

Arts and Crafts

Art projects are incorporated into our curriculum to add to the excitement of the upcoming holidays and Mitzvot. Our projects will have Jewish holiday and Mitzvot themes and will add a taste of Jewish life at home.

Extra Curricular

Chabad Hebrew School will offer a variety of extra curricular activities such as Friday night dinners, family fun days and contests. These events will allow our students to experience Judaism in its entirety. An incentive system based on in-class and out-of-class participation will allow students to reach different award levels. Please see page 5 for more details.

If your child is not able to attend class for any reason, please to notify in advance. Class starts promptly at 9:30 am. To maximize our learning time and to avoid distractions to the class, your cooperation is appreci- ated. Incentives and rewards are given out daily to those who arrive on time.

Perfect Hebrew School attendance will be rewarded with a special “Breakfast with the Rabbi” at the end of the year.

All workbooks for all grades are provided by the school. The students will get a list of supplies that are needed for their class.

All boys are encouraged to bring and wear a Kipah and Tzitzit for all classes. If you do not have a Kipa or Tzitzit, please fill out the enclosed Kippah and Tzitzit order form

Tzedakah (charity) is a basic value in Judaism. Our school attempts to develop a commitment among our students to share with others less fortunate than themselves by donating a few pennies a day to charity. Please try to send some coins to school each day to help encourage your child to perform this Mitzvah.

During Hebrew School there will be a 10 minute break during which the children will get a snack. In the event of a birthday party, parents are asked to speak with the Hebrew school teacher before purchasing any food.

Due to the fact that we currently have a couple of students in Chabad Hebrew School with a nut allergy, we have instituted a NUT AWARE policy and do not allow any peanuts in the Chabad Center. Please help us to keep the center a nut free environment by refraining from sending items containing nuts to school with your child.

All parents are required to sign their child in and out of Hebrew School.

If someone other then a student's parent will be picking up a student, a written note of consent is needed.

The Chabad doors will be locked at 9:45 am and unlocked at 11:45 as an added safety precaution.

Programs Chabad hosts a multitude of exciting programs throughout the year, whether it’s Purim, Lag Ba'Omer or Chanukah. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to these programs where the lessons they have learned in school are reinforced and where they are provided with an added Jewish social opportunity.

Trips Out of school outings will be organized to provide students with additional Jewish social opportunities.

Fundraisers Fundraisers will be established to help enhance and enrich Chabad Hebrew School. Parents are asked to show support to these fundraisers.

Class Shabbat Dinners A Hebrew School Shabbat dinners will be held during the year. Students are encouraged to attend.

Shabbat Services It is extremely beneficial for students to attend Shabbat morning and Friday evening services as often as possible to integrate the Hebrew School learning in their daily lives and to provide more Jewish social opportunities for them.

 Friday night services take place weekly at 7:00 pm. Shabbat services are will be held every Shabbat morning from 9:30 am- 12:00 pm and is followed by a Kiddush buffet.

Family Fun Days:

CHS holds Family Fun days four times a year in efforts to reinforce the home-school connection. Family Fun Days are days when parents are invited to learn and play with their children in the Chabad Hebrew School setting.

Effective communication between parents and school is very important to insure that Hebrew School be a meaningful and pleasant experience for your child. Feel free to contact the school with any matter that re- quires clarification.

Newsletters: Newsletters will be e-mailed once a month. They will tell about progress, special events as well as important information. Please read them. Your comments are always welcome, as we are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve our educational program.

Progress Reports: Progress Reports will be issued twice a year—December and May.

Parents are encouraged to bring in more Jewish families into Hebrew School to increase the network of Jewish children at Chabad Hebrew School A $50 discount will be given to the family that brings in a new student to Hebrew School. Kindergarten students attend FREE! (some restrictions apply) Business cards are available for parents to present other parents with a FREE HEBREW SCHOOL class voucher. Please pass these along to interested parents and families.

 Room Mothers Organizing a birthday card and balloons for student on their Jewish Birthday, Organizing a field trip for your class, and Arranging a Shabbat dinner at the Rabbi’s for the class  Shopping  Cooking  Phone Calls  Family Fun Days: Fundraiser

Parent participation in this program can increase the growth and success of Hebrew School tenfold. Please contact Chanie Bukiet f you are able to assist in any of the above volunteer opportunities.