B'nai Israel Religious School

B'nai Israel Religious School (BIRS)

We are a warm and welcoming place for joyful Jewish learning. Nurturing teachers, bright classrooms, experiential learning, and a creative curriculum encourage our youth to explore and be proud of their Jewish identity, culture, and history.

During the 2020-2021 year, we have responded to COVID-19 impacts by creating the following religious school schedule:

· Students in grades 1-7 meet virtually on Sunday mornings from 9:30 – 11:30. We meet as a full school for virtual Morning T’filah led by Linda Goodman, our congregation’s Director of Sacred Music. Students also meet in grade-level virtual classrooms for an array of Judaic and Hebrew learning activities.

· Students in grades 6 & 7 also meet virtually on Tuesday afternoons from 4:15 – 5:15 for an hour of intensive Hebrew reading fluency and prayer practice. Students meet in small virtual classrooms to practice their Hebrew skills with BIRS Director Abby Peklo and Hebrew instructor Morah Shari Lynn Kochman.

· Students in grades 8 & 9 meet virtually twice a month on Sundays from 11:30 – 12:30. Confirmation Class is an informal, small group learning community that focuses on thoughtful conversation about Jewish ethics, values, and practices.

Family Shabbat

BIRS continues on the second Friday evening of each month as we gather for a half-hour Shabbat worship experience at 6:00 p.m. During warmer months (September, October, November, April, May, and June) we meet this year IN PERSON outside the building for a COVID-safe Erev Shabbat gathering. January, February, and March Family Shabbat are virtual services at 6:00 p.m. Join us on Zoom during these cold winter months as we celebrate Jews Around the World! Whether in-person or virtual, Rabbi Eric and Linda Goodman lead creative participatory services for the whole family to enjoy. Family Shabbat is open to all, and all are welcome. Contact educator@bnaiisraelsouthbury.org for the Zoom code.

For more information, or to try out a virtual class or Family Shabbat, please contact educator@bnaiisraelsouthbury.org.