BAT MITZVAH PROGRAM
Ahavat Yisrael Hebrew School offers an innovative program for girls who are approaching the age of Bat Mitzvah. This program has been a great success and is regarded by the girls as a highlight of their Hebrew School experience.
The class meets once a week on Sunday mornings from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. We currently hold classes at our Ventura Park campus; however, if there is enough interest we will be willing to hold classes at our other campuses.
It is a serious and mature curriculum specifically geared towards girls who are approaching the age of Jewish womanhood. We will be providing many thoughtful and stimulating topics for the girls to ponder, aiming at instilling a life long Jewish identity, a bond to the Jewish homeland, a sense of Jewish pride and an understanding of Jewish ethics & values. There will be many guest speakers, as well as field trips and volunteer work to round out this experience of a lifetime. The mother & daughter Challah braiding session and the designing and creating of Silk Challah covers are examples of our unique and creative program.
The program culminates with a Bat Mitzvah Ceremony and an elegant dinner celebration that takes place at the opulent Beth Avraham Yoseph Synagogue in Thornhill, in May. The ceremony will include a fully catered dinner, complete with wine, floral arrangements and a musician. At the ceremony, each Bat Mitzvah graduate will present an original D’var Torah (speech) on a Jewish topic that is meaningful to her. The Ceremony will also include a presentation by the graduates. Each graduate will receive a Bat Mitzvah diploma as well as a graduation gift.
The program is opened to girls who will be turning twelve by the summer of 2011 (Grade 6 or 7 student). The tuition cost of the program is $750.00 (early bird rate). In addition to the tuition costs, each family is obligated to invite a minimum of 8 people to the Dinner. Families are encouraged to invite as many guests as they wish to share in the Simchah. The Dinner cost will be approximately $80.00 per adult, all-inclusive.
If you are interested in enrolling or viewing a video of past Ceremonies, please contact Mrs. Leslie Shapiro at the office number above.
BAR MITZVAH PROGRAM
GRADE SEVEN BOYS
Ahavat Yisrael Hebrew School offers an innovative program for boys approaching the age of Bar Mitzvah. It is a serious and mature curriculum specifically geared towards our students, who are nearing the end of their Hebrew School education. We will be providing many thought-provoking and stimulating topics for the students to ponder. Our aim is to instill in our students a life-long Jewish identity, a bond to the Jewish homeland, and a sense of Jewish pride.
Our program will include the opportunity for our students to debate contemporary Jewish issues such as Israeli politics, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust and other moral dilemmas and current event issues.
There will be detailed hands-on instruction on putting on Tefillin along with the halachah (laws) pertaining to Tefillin. The basic Torah reading notes “trup” will also be introduced. As well, the brachot recited before and after receiving an Aliyah are taught.
In order to encourage our students to develop a sense of community involvement, volunteer work will take place during Hebrew School hours. As well, our students will organize a tzedakkah (charity) projects as well as our Annual Kosher Food Drive. Special Guest Speakers include Rabbi Michael Skobac of Jews for Judaism, who will speak to our students about missionaries. A professional scribe, Rabbi Glenn Black from NCSY and a Holocaust survivor will be among our other Guest Lecturers.
Our Kree’ah/Reading Program will stress various commonly recited Tefillot (Prayers) such as Kiddush and Havdalah. The text will be read from a Siddur (Prayer Book). Reading practice will be assigned as homework each week to maximize on our students Hebrew reading capabilities.
The weekly Parshah/Torah Portion that is read in the synagogue each Shabbat is reviewed and followed by an oral class discussion.
The Jewish Holidays will be taught in great depth, including the history behind the Holiday, as well as the different customs and laws observed.
Special Units will include an in-depth study on ‘Jewish Lifecycles’, including: Brit Milah (circumcision), baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Jewish weddings.