Louis B. Silver Religious School (LBSRS)
LIMUD (A Place to Learn): Grades TK – 7
TK-7th Grades Sundays 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Grades 3 – 7 Additionally Meet:
Tuesdays 4:30 – 6:30 PM In Person (Hebrew & Chuggim)
or
Tuesday 4:30 – 5:30 PM Zoom Hebrew Instruction
GESHER (Bridge): Grades 8 – 9
Sundays 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Tuesdays 4:30 – 6:30 PM In Person
HAKAMAH (Foundation): Grades 10 – 12
Twice Monthly, October – April
Tuesdays 7:00 – 8:30 PM In Person
About The School
Teaching Hebrew and Torah begins with a love of being Jewish — and with having a lot of fun! The Louis B. Silver Religious School (LBSRS) provides a vibrant atmosphere for children in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade to learn about the many beautiful aspects of Judaism (Hebrew, history, holidays, Israel, etc.) through the important lens of Jewish values. Our redesigned curriculum emphasizes formal instruction of Hebrew decoding and an understanding of prayer as a path to B’nai Mitzvah preparation and beyond. Students will learn to “do Jewish” by studying Torah, holidays, values, and immersing in tikkun olam (reparing the world). Our goal is to guide our children as they develop a strong Jewish identity.
Our Groups
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Students begin their journey attending once per week in K'tantanim (Pre-K) through Kitah Bet (2nd Grade). In Kitah Gimel (3rd Grade), students begin attending twice per week in preparation for becoming B'nai Mitzvah.
Overall Curriculum:
- Lower Limud (Kitah K'tantanim–Aleph) are learning basic Hebrew vocabulary and letters, Shabbat & holidays, Torah stories, and tikkun olam (reparing the world). Kitah Bet is beginning formal Hebrew instruction, learning decoding and writing. Kitot Gimel–Zayin are working toward reading fluency of the Hebrew of the siddur (prayer book). Hebrew instruction will use Torah Aura primers and curriculum.
- In addition, faculty will incorporate explorations of Jewish holidays, current events and how they relate to Jewish values, Israel education, and chuggim (electives).
- Additionally, each class participates in at least one Student-Led Shabbat Service & Family Dinner, and each class has a class picnic during the year.
Sundays (Grades TK–7) 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Students meet by grade level. Sunday activities includes formal Hebrew instruction, Kehillah Kedoshah (morning minyan/prayer), Shabbat and holidays, Torah, Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), and library story time. All students receive snack and a brief recess in our play yard. Sunday mornings may also include special field trips or school-wide holidays programs.
Tuesdays (Grades 3–7) 4:30–6:30 p.m. IN PERSON! **
Tuesday curriculum centers on formal, level-based Hebrew instruction and a rotation of exciting chuggim (electives). These will include choices in fine and performing arts, sports, Judaica, and literature — and they will all be SUPER FUN!
** PLEASE NOTE: If participating in person is not possible for your family, it’s no problem! We will work with you to assist with carpooling or with a remote option. We are happy to offer Hebrew instruction on ZOOM on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Student-Led Shabbat, Dinners, and Picnics!
In addition to classroom time, each class and their families experience a Shabbat meal at PJTC together during the year, followed by Shabbat services. Students in grades pre-K–2 will participate in age-appropriate Shabbat services while students in grades 3–6 will LEAD Shabbat services for the larger PJTC community.
Class Meal/Service Dates 2024–2025:
• Kitah Gimel (3rd Grade) Dinner and Service: Friday, March 28, 2025
• Kitah Dalet (4th Grade) Dinner and Service: Friday, February 28, 2025
• Kitah Hei (5th Grade) Dinner and Service: Friday, January 24, 2025
• Kitah Vav (6th Grade) Service and Lunch: Saturday, April 26, 2025
• School-Wide Service (All Grades): Friday, May 16, 2025
**We encourage the entire community to save these dates and join us for these services to support the next generation of Shabbat leaders!**
Class Picnics:
Each class and their families will gather for a social afternoon picnic one Sunday each year after religious school. These picnics will take place either at Victory Park or someone’s home; details will be provided by the room parents. Stay tuned for dates!
School-Wide Picnic:
All students and their family are invited to a school-wide picnic on November 17, 2024 after religious school. Stay tuned for details!
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Jewish education doesn't end at B'nai Mitzvah; it's a lifelong journey! Our new Gesher program combines classroom learning and training, providing our 8/9 graders with teen-level curriculum about current events and mussar (Jewish ethics), as well as teacher-training and hands-on experience in the lower-grade classrooms to prepare them to be future teaching assistants with Team Madrichim.
Sundays 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Gesher will prepare younger teens to become future members of Team Madrichim in a three-part program. On Sundays, they will immerse in their own learning, be offered classroom training and professional development, as well as gaining practical experience in the younger-grade classrooms.
Tuesdays 4:30–6:30 p.m. IN PERSON! **
On Tuesdays, the 8/9 graders will spend the first hour learning in a Hebrew Boot Camp/Hebrew teacher training, and the second hour will be to assist with the chuggim (electives) for grades 3–7.
** PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a Tuesday Zoom option for Gesher participants.
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| While 10th–12th graders are working as teacher assistants in the classroom, they also need their own age-appropriate Jewish learning. Hakamah meets our high schoolers where they are: wrestling with the journey from childhood to adulthood, queestioning who they want to be in the larger Jewish world. |
Tuesdays 7:00–8:30 p.m. IN PERSON!**
Rabbi-taught Advanced Study and Discussion Group for grades 10–12. We will cover Torah, Talmud, current events, and other Jewish texts. This class is intended to give our oldest kids their own post-B'nai Mitzvah learning.
** PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a Tuesday Zoom option for Hakamah participants.
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Post B'nai Mitzvah students often want to return to LBSRS as madrichim, teen aides in the classrooms. In addition to participating in professional development, madrichim help faculty with classroom management, classroom preparations, supervising students, and even teaching part of lessons! Madrichim can choose to be paid or earn community service hours for school.
Sundays AND Tuesdays**
Applications for Team Madrichim will open soon!
** PLEASE NOTE: Madrichim are needed on Sundays and in person on Tuesdays. Madrichim will not be needed on Zoom. You will be able to work on one or both days.
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What are the grades and groups? |
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LIMUD:
Pre-Kindergarten | K’tantanim
Kindergarten | Kindergarten
1st Grade | Kitah Aleph
2st Grade | Kitah Bet
3rd Grade | Kitah Gimel
4th Grade | Kitah Dalet
5th Grade | Kitah Hei
6th Grade | Kitah Vav
7th Grade | Kitah Zayin
GESHER: 8th + 9th Grade
HAKAMAH and TEAM MADRICHIM: 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade
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- Sundays IN PERSON, 9:30AM–12:30PM in grade level classrooms for Limud (TK–7th), Gesher (8th–9th) and Team Madrichim (10th–12th)
- Tuesdays IN PERSON, 4:30PM–6:30PM for Upper Limud Grades [Kitah Gimel (3rd Grade)–Kitah Zayin (7th Grade)], Gesher (8–9th Grade) and Team Madrichim
- Tuesdays ON ZOOM, 4:30PM–5:30PM, for Kitah Gimel (3rd Grade)–Kitah Zayin (7th Grade) students unable to attend in person.
- Tuesdays, twice monthly, October–April, 7PM–8:30PM for 10th–12th Graders
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- PJTC has a robust B'nai Mitzvah program. B'nai Mitzvah date selection begins in Kitah Hei (5th grade) as part of the 5th Grade Informational Meeting. At this meeting, you will receive a B'nai Mitzvah Binder with much more information about PJTC's amazing B'nai Mitzvah journey!
- In addition to all that students learn through LBSRS, B'nai Mitzvah education is supplemented with one-on-one weekly tutoring approximately 10–12 months prior to the student's big weekend. Students remain enrolled in LBSRS throughout their 7th grade year, regardless of when B'nai Mitzvah may fall on the calendar.
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- Absolutely! There is a myriad of opportunities for adult and parent-centered learning during LBSRS hours (Sunday Center) and beyond! Stay tuned to your email for dates/topics.
- We plan to continue last year's successful Sunday Center program, offering parents and congregants a variety of opportunities to learn, pray, sing, work out, and eat bagels.
- Do you have burning questions about Judaism? We can create a one-off discussion/series of classes for you! Let me know what’s on your mind: rabbijill@pjtc.net.
As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me, Rabbi Jill Gold Wright, with any questions or concerns. We look forward to another successful year of LBSRS with you!
