FAMILY TIES—Rabbi Arthur Zuckerman, standing center, shows Joseph Spector and his family how to tie a blue string dyed by Agudat Hasidei Radzin in Israel onto his tallit as is commanded in the sh’ma. Helping Joseph (seated center) tie the tzittzit of the tallit he will receive on his bar mitzvah are from left, grandmother Margie Spector, father Marshal Spector, Zuckerman, Joseph Spector, mother Sharon Pollin and grandfather Harry Spector. Zuckerman said the participation of multi generations in the pre-bar mitzvah project creates lasting impressions and a tallit that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Shaarie Torah expands religious school
By Deborah Moon
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This fall Congregation Shaarie Torah will expand it’s religious school to two days a week for kindergarten through fifth grade.
“One day a week seems inadequate,” said Rabbi Arthur Zuckerman. “We have so many things to teach. We want them to take part in tefillah and Torah study and learn to converse in Hebrew. Just the holidays can book you. The quantity will enhance the quality of education.”
The religious school is open to non-members at a higher tuition. Kindergarten through fifth grade will meet Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. Middle school and high school will continue to meet for Hebrew High Wednesday evenings beginning with dinner at 6 p.m.
“It will be a good example for our younger students to see high schoolers and middle schoolers come in so they see education is an ongoing process,” said Education Director Dorice Horenstein.
Part of each Wednesday class will be devoted to conversational Hebrew taught by native Israeli speakers who have experience in American education settings, said Horenstein. The Hebrew classes will be divided by ability rather than age, with a special track for Israeli students. The remainder of the class time will be divided by age.
Another segment of Wednesday classes will focus on the study of Israel.
“Since our synagogue is a Zionist organization, we feel it’s important to instill a love of Israel at a young age,” said Horenstein.
Zuckerman said that too often the concept of Jews as one nation, one language, one land and one religion is missing in U.S. Jewish education.
“We are one nation,” he said. “How people observe may vary, but we still fall under one umbrella.”
In addition to expanding the elementary program, Shaarie Torah also will continue to consolidate its bar and bat mitzvah preparation, bringing all students to the synagogue for study instead of working with a variety of tutors.
“Our bar and bat mitzvah program will train kids and prepare parents for a year-long family education,” said Horenstein.
As part of adding family involvement and meaning to the process, Zuckerman has each family attend a tzittzit tying session at the synagogue before the big day. Existing tzittzit are clipped off the bar/bat mitzvah’s tallit and the family joins together to tie a blue string onto the prayer shawl the student will receive at the ceremony.
Registration for Fall ’08 education programs is already under way. An early bird discount is available with registration by June 15. For more information on the program and tuition, contact Horenstein at 503-226-6131, ext. 229.