Information for the 2022-2023 school year
The full calendar overview for the year can be found here: tinyurl.com/TIYLP22-23
Online enrollment is no longer available for the 2022-2023 school year, but we are actively accepting new students! Please reach out to Michelle at 402-556-6536 to learn more about the program and allow us to enroll your family manually.
If you have any questions about our Youth Learning Programs (YLP) that Michelle isn't able to answer she can transfer you to Jennie Gates Beckman, Temple's Director of Education, or you can email her directly at jbeckman@templeisraelomaha.com.
Our current curriculum and format is inspired by the word “Hineinu,” Hebrew for “Here We Are.” Wherever each of us is individually, we will continue to learn and grow together. The hallmarks of this program include bringing Jewish learning into the home, involving the family in multi-generational learning, removing physical and geographical barriers, and extending learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
“Here” may look different for each of our students based on the curricular goals for their age and developmental levels. Therefore, we are structuring our program into units, similar to summer camp:
Bonim: Builders (PreK-2nd Grade)
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade attend Sundays from 9:30 am - noon. The day begins with breakfast and includes both class time in grades plus rotations through chuggim (specials/electives). Students in PK-2nd grade receive foundational understandings of what it means to be part of a Jewish community and the rituals, customs, traditions, and responsibilities that come with it.
Chalutzim: Pioneers (3rd-6th Grade)
Students in 3rd-6th grade will dive deeper into Jewish values and personal identity, working toward joining the covenant of the Jewish people at their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders meet weekly on Sundays 9:30-noon. Each class has a set of content and curricular goals, and students have the chance to shape their own Jewish experience by choosing from a set of interactive, culture-based electives (chugim) including art, music, dance, cooking, and nature. IN ADDITION, grades 3-6 attend Wednesday afternoons for their Hebrew studies. Families have the option to choose an early (4-5:15 pm) or late (4:45-6 pm) Hebrew option, with an overlapping T'filah (prayer service) allowing the classes to be all together.
Gesher: Bridge (7th & 8th Grade)
Generally the time most of our students have their B Mitzvah, this “bridge” into Jewish adulthood is the perfect opportunity to make a direct move from learning Judaism to doing Judaism and becoming active members of our temple’s community. 7th and 8th grade meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6:30-8 pm with optional dinner at 6 pm provided. This year our 7th and 8th graders have a new teacher and new curriculum this year focused on the concept of Tikkun Olam. On a very fundamental level: we will literally be making the earth a better place by working closely with the Teva (Nature) room, exploring what Judaism has to say about repairing our world.
We are excited to highlight our B-Mitzvah celebrations for the year:
- 8/20/2022: Max Ruback
- 8/27/2022: Evi Schneider
- 9/10/2022: Meyer Feinstein
- 10/15/2022: Makayla Lucoff
- 10/22/2022: Miriam Ginsburg
- 10/29/2022: Megan Kugler
- 11/5/2022: Erin Wear
- 11/12/2022: Audrey Meyerson
- 12/10/2022: Margot Mayhugh
- 1/28/2023: Brody Sudbeck
- 4/22/2023: Julian Simon
- 10/14/2023: Ari Blumkin
We encourage all our families, no matter your grade, to join our B-Mitzvah students to support them as they lead services. The best way to learn about this incredible life cycle event is to join the congregation as a participant!
Hebrew High (9th-12th Grade)
Our new and re-imagined Hebrew High is part of our Teen Learning Program, which allows for teens to explore and continue to develop their Jewish identity through a variety of ways. Please visit the Hebrew High page for more detail.
If you have any questions about our Learning Programs, please reach out to Jennie Gates Beckman, Temple's new Director of Education, at 402-556-6536 or jbeckman@templeisraelomaha.com.
Bonim | Chalutzim | Gesher | Hebrew High | Temple Tots | YLP Staff Only