Education
Sunday School - Hebrew School - Youth Activities
Am Shalom Education and Youth Programs
Am Shalom's education program stresses hands on activities, small class
size, and programs that are adaptive to meet the special needs of our
students. Our team approach and integrated programming helps us obtain
our goal of having our children take home with them what they learn
in school. Our education staff provides a wonderful mix of talents and
focuses. Several of our staff members have taught Hebrew for over 20
years. They continue to teach at Am Shalom because of their commitment
to our children. Our younger teachers and aides have received their
Hebrew and Religious education at Am Shalom. Temple Am Shalom membership
is required for enrollment in School activities.
Kindergarten - Sixth Grade
September to May, Sunday school is held at Am Shalom. The morning begins
with an assembly that introduces students to the religious service and
prayers in English and Hebrew. The school then divides into small multi-level
classes. School activities include Model Shabbat, Tu B'Shevat and Passover
Seder, Sukkot Decorating, holiday baking, crafts, retreats, field trips,
Purim carnival and bowling for T'zadakah.
Sunday School Sunday Mornings from 9:15 to 11:45 AM
Third - Seventh Grade
Our small class size, 4-8 students, allows for a
flexible curriculum
based on the individual needs of our students. The philosophy of our
teaching staff is that every child can become proficient in Prayer book
Hebrew and familiar with conversational Hebrew. Student participation
in services helps to prepare our students for taking leadership roles
during Shabbat and High Holiday services. Bar & B'nai Mitzvah Training
Study with Spiritual Director Renee Berenson begins one year prior to a student's
Bar/B'nai mitzvah.; Torah study, prayer service mastery and speech preparation
are stressed. This is available to members' children enrolled in Hebrew
School.
Hebrew School Wednesday Afternoons from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Shabbaton Program
Our innovative designed Junior high program consists of activities designed
to help teens become more aware of needs of others and to personalize
Judaism. A confirmation program held during Shavout, marks the completion
of the program. Also in May, Shabbaton students participate in the Teen
trip, an annual weekend trip for students enrolled in Shabbaton or active
members of Youth Group. Past trips have been to Chicago, Toronto and
Detroit. Program activities includes trips to the Jewish centers in
each of the cities and teen appropriate activities
Student Aides Program
Students who have completed Hebrew school and Sunday School are eligible
to train for our student aide program. Aides assist teachers to work
with student on a 1 to 1 basis to help meet the children's needs.
Retreat Programs
Retreats are held in conjunction with staff from the Retreat Institute.
Programs have been held at the Cuyahoga Valley Education Center, Camp
Wise and The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. These programs were designed to
explore prayer, Shabbat, the environment, tzadakah, and creation and
have ranged in scope from 5 hours to 48 hour weekend program. Camp Grants
for Reform Movement Camps are available. Over ten of our students have
attended the Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana over
the past 6 years. Funding from special grants sponsored by the Jewish
Education Center of Cleveland are available.
Temple Am Shalom Youth Group
Our Youth Group goal is to take Judaism out of the Temple and make it
something the children can live and breath. Youth group also brings our
children closer to Judaism and to other Jewish teens and fosters a social
consciousness. Youth group has accomplished this through leadership
training T'zadakah programs and service activities. Every year the students
plan and put on a wonderful Purim carnival. They also volunteer at the
Haunted Hay Ride at Lake Farm Park, hold a successful high holiday food
drive and conduct several Shabbat services.