Religious School

Allison Lattman,
Director, Hineni Learning Center
allison.lattman@adatchaverim.org

Welcome to the all new Hineni Learning Center at Adat Chaverim! The HLC is a place where children not only learn about Judaism but find JOY in being Jewish. We are home to a tight-knit community of dedicated people committed to creating a warm and welcoming space for every child to foster their own connection to being Jewish. Our goal is to create a learning center that is vibrant and full of movement, meaning, mitzvah and joy!

Schedule

Yahad

Yahad means “together” and is our new inclusion program to meet the needs of each student and support teachers in the classroom. We believe that each student deserves to uncover their connection to their Jewish identity and community, regardless of neurodiversity, physical needs, emotional needs or behavioral needs. Students do not need a formal diagnosis to receive services, and our expert faculty is happy to help guide you through the diagnosis and services process in your schools.

Curriculum

We are introducing online class portals through Google Classroom! For Judaica, teachers will post a recap of what your student did each week and include a discussion question to connect your family to the HLC.

For Hebrew, teachers will post the home component to continue the learning that was done in class. We recommend just 20-30 minutes a week (does not have to be all at once) to practice reading and complete the home component. Teachers will follow up with each family during the week to ensure students understand the material.

Grown-Up and Me (2 Years through Pre-K):

Grown-Up and Me is our newest program for our youngest learners and their families! Eight times throughout the year, we will meet to sing songs, learn about a holiday and create together! This program is free to the community and requires registration. 

Shorashim - Roots (Kindergarten & 1st Grade):

Our weekly program starts in kindergarten. Our Shorashim theme for this year is My Jewish Self. Our goal is to start fostering each student’s connection to Judaism through discovery. Students will interact with Jewish symbols, Torah tales and holidays. We introduce Hebrew to our youngest learners through everyday words as well as with weekly Hebrew Through Movement. We will get together with our families for a Hanukkah family education program along with our Orot (2nd- and 3rd-grade) class.

Shorashim Key Events

Opening Day: August 17
Consecration and HLC Shabbat: December 12
Hanukkah Family Education Day: December 14
HLC Social Justice Shabbat: January 16
HLC Mitzvah Day: January 18
Purim Carnival: March 1
Passover Seder: March 29
HLC Teacher Appreciation Shabbat: April 24
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day: April 26
Maccabia and Picnic: May 3

Orot - Lights (2nd & 3rd Grades):

As our children grow, they become more aware of their Jewish community and its importance in their lives. This year, our Orot class will focus on fostering that connection. They will connect to what it means to be part of our community, learn about the synagogue, continue connecting to Torah stories and learn the importance of mitzvot in our lives. Formal Hebrew learning will also now begin in these grades with an introduction to the alef-bet and reading and decoding. We will get together with our families for a Hanukkah family education program along with our Shorashim (kindergarten and 1st-grade) class.

Orot Key Events

Opening Day: August 17
Consecration and HLC Shabbat: December 12
Hanukkah Family Education Day: December 14
HLC Social Justice Shabbat: January 16
HLC Mitzvah Day: January 18
Purim Carnival: March 1
Passover Seder: March 29
HLC Teacher Appreciation Shabbat: April 24
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day: April 26
Maccabia and Picnic: May 3

Bonim - Builders (4th & 5th Grades):

This year, Bonim will focus on Jewish life cycle events and connect to the rituals, from all Jewish cultures, associated with them. They will also connect to the importance of tzedakah and gemilut hasadim (acts of loving kindness). For our students who have not had formal Hebrew experience, they will be introduced to the alef-bet and reading and decoding. For students who have mastered the alef-bet, they will move to Bet-Level Hebrew and begin learning berakhot (blessings), prayers and the order of the Shabbat service. We will get together with our families for a Tu bi'Shvat family education program.

Bonim Key Events

Opening Day: August 17
Consecration and HLC Shabbat: December 12
HLC Social Justice Shabbat: January 16
HLC Mitzvah Day: January 18
Tu bi'Shvat Family Education Day: February 1
Purim Carnival: March 1
Survivor: Exodus: March 8
HLC Teacher Appreciation Shabbat: April 24
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day: April 26
Maccabia and Picnic: May 3

Beritot - Commitments (6th-Grade through B-Mitzvah):

What can Talmud teach us about social media? Well, we’re about to find out! We are excited to launch a new B-Mitzvah program in partnership with Moving Traditions! Through meaningful games, activities and discussions, our Beritot class will focus on making meaning out of the B-Mitzvah process as well as connecting to becoming a Jewish teen in the modern era. We will also have a few family sessions throughout the year to help parents and children connect during this amazing time. For Hebrew, students will continue to learn more prayers, become more comfortable reading, and begin preparing for B-Mitzvah.

Beritot Key Events

Family Sessions: TBA
Opening Day: August 17
Consecration and HLC Shabbat: December 12
HLC Social Justice Shabbat: January 16
HLC Mitzvah Day: January 18
Purim Carnival: March 1
Survivor: Exodus: March 8
HLC Teacher Appreciation Shabbat: April 24
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day: April 26
Maccabia and Picnic: May 3

Tzadikim - Righteous Ones (Post B-Mitzvah through 9th Grade):

We are excited to introduce this brand new post-B-Mitzvah program to the HLC! In partnership with Moving Traditions, our Tzadikim will focus on social justice and being Maharniks (teaching assistants) in Training. This program is designed to continue fostering a deep connection to Jewish identity and community post B-Mitzvah. 9th grade will culminate with Confirmation to recognize this accomplishment before they move on to our B’nei Torah program.

Tzadikim Key Events

Opening Day: August 17
Consecration and HLC Shabbat: December 12
HLC Social Justice Shabbat: January 16
HLC Mitzvah Day: January 18
Purim Carnival: March 1
HLC Teacher Appreciation Shabbat: April 24
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day: April 26
Confirmation and Bagrut: May 1
Maccabia and Picnic: May 3

B’nei Torah (10th through 12th Grades):

We are continuing one of the traditions that has always made Adat Chaverim so special. Our B’nei Torah classes will occur over 16 weeks during the year and be divided into four 4-week programs designed to continue fostering each student’s connection to their Jewish identity and community as they prepare to enter the world. B’nei Torah culminates with Bagrut at the end of 12th grade. It is a special way to honor our students and their commitment to their Jewish learning.

B'nei Torah Key Events

Opening Day: August 17
Consecration and HLC Shabbat: December 12
HLC Social Justice Shabbat: January 16
HLC Mitzvah Day: January 18
Purim Carnival: March 1
HLC Teacher Appreciation Shabbat: April 24
Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day: April 26
Confirmation and Bagrut: May 1
Maccabia and Picnic: May 3

Maharniks (Teaching Assistants):

Our 10th- through 12th-graders also get the opportunity to develop their skills and earn community service hours by helping bring up the next generation of Jewish children through our Maharnik program. These students will get the opportunity to assist in the classroom, building valuable skills and relationships that will benefit them throughout their lives!