Religious school is a cornerstone of the Temple’s mission toward a lifetime of Jewish learning. It is one of a few synagogues in the region to offer religious school to members as part of their annual membership fee.
Schedule
The NRT Sunday School starts the Sunday after Labor Day with our annual pancake breakfast and typically runs until Mother’s Day. Classes run from 9:30 am to 11:30 am with a thirty minute morning prayer service included. We include students in grades kindergarten through Confirmation in grade 10. A registration form can be found here RS enrollment form.
The goal in educating the youngest members of the temple, grades K and 1, is to help foster a sense of “ownership” of the temple, the temple community, and being Jewish. The curriculum has engaging lessons based on looking at the world through Jewish eyes. Your child will enjoy learning through eating and cooking, arts and crafts, music, dance, Bible stories, and creative drama.
Elementary Students
Grades 2 through 7 use the CHAI curriculum developed by the Union for Reform Judaism. Jewish sages taught us that the world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah, and G’milut Chasadim (study, worship, and acts of loving kindness). Each grade level contains lessons in those three stands that ensure that student learning will go beyond the specific classroom activities and will lead students to a deeper, enduring understanding of Judaism. Teachers also supplement these lessons with research on the computer, music, art, videos, cooking, and field trips to community activities.
Upper School Students
Grades 8 & 9 focus on the Jewish Journey and how to live a Jewish life. Some topics covered during these years include the three branches of Judaism, life cycle, comparative religions, and the Holocaust. Students also take advantage of community resources for field trips: a mikvah and exhibits at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Studies. Eighth and ninth graders also attend a one day retreat for building friendships within their classes.
Confirmation
Confirmation class is an exciting year. Students learn through reading about current events that all Jewish events in the world have a historical reason for happening. They learn why these have occurred and how they have come to have religious freedom. Students also learn to understand Judaism’s position on critical life issues and how they apply to themselves. The students cap off the year with a trip to New York and a wonderful Confirmation Service in May.
Religious School Committee
Chair: Lynnette Siegel
Member: Donna Holmes
Goals: Work with the Religious school Director to help plan the curriculum, special events, and hire teachers. Help set the direction and tone of the school.