Jewish Community Highlights

Highlights on our Jewish School Community

Parent Education

BYDS prides itself on partnering with our parents in every way possible to ensure the success not only of our students, but also of our families. To that end, we have made available for our parents a variety of classes that enhance their own Judaic knowledge and help them keep abreast of what their children are learning in class. Our subjects are wide ranging from Jewish parenting skills, to talking about G-d with your child, to how to conduct a fun and enjoyable seder. We have also successfully offered classes in beginning Hebrew reading, Jewish History, Torah study, and Ethics of our Sages. Our parents have confirmed that our parent education classes have helped them as their family makes Judaism an important part of their lives.

Community Service

Our children are taught from the youngest of ages that we are here not just for ourselves, but also for the community at large. Every year we are presented with opportunities for the children to help others not just with monetary gifts, but also with our hearts. We encourage our children to learn and participate in acts of G’milut Chasadim, that they are part of a greater whole, and that we Jews are here to help one another and the world become a better place. Whether it is supplying food to the food bank, taking stuffed animals for shelters, or helping organizations such as the Jewish Braille society, Maot Chitim or JNF, our children are always ready to lend a helping hand.

Israel

Israel holds a very special place in our school. We look for ways to connect our children not only with ancient Israel and her struggles, but also with a beautiful, modern country where Jews can live. Making the transition from the past to the future takes on different modalities as we transcend the past with the new. Our third graders find a deep connection as they learn folk dances of Israel and discover for themselves how those dances were an important way for the chalutzim to celebrate the new country. Of course our children are familiar with the sights and sounds of modern Israel, through all of our senses. We are pleased to be able to offer to our older children an interactive program on Israel which will help them understand the issues surrounding Israel’s establishment and swell with pride at her accomplishments.

Holiday Celebrations

Holidays at Beth Yeshurun are a time of interactive fun and joy as we show the children in a hands-on manner how we celebrate and acknowledge the festivals. The halls are filled with the sound of the Shofar the month before Rosh Hashana as the children blow the Shofar for us every morning. Sukkot comes alive as the children eat in the sukka and make the blessings over the lulav and etrog. Chanukkah is filled with all different kinds of light, not to mention the yummy smells of latkes cooking in oil, or the deep-fried sufganiot that we all enjoy eating so much. Tu B’Shvat is not just another Arbor Day, but it takes on a journey of exploration as we conduct a Tu B’shvat Seder. The children take part in all Purim activities including the costumes, plays, and the Megilla reading Nothing can compare to our school Pesach Seder, where truly the children are our stars and in fact go on to help lead their own home Seders. Somber moments are held for Yom Hashoa as we remember those who were not allowed to live, but we rejoice at the State of Israel and all that she has to offer us.