Welcome to Temple Emanu-El’s Religious School. We are so happy to have you join us this 2018-2019 school year! Our first day is Tuesday, October 9th 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: 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 Emanu-El for two years 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 select months at 7 PM, join us with the whole family for an engaging musical Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday Services. Upcoming Dates: 10/19, 11/16, 1/18, 3/15 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 David-Seth Kirshner Cantor Israel Singer Questions, Comments, Concerns? We’re here to help! Administration Adam Schwartzbard Christiina Buchert Educational Director RS Administrative Assistant [email protected] [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] Jesse Strulowitz [email protected] Administration Adam Schwartzbard Christiina Buchert Educational Director RS Administrative Assistant [email protected] [email protected] .