Study - Youth Education | Congregation Rodeph Shalom

Nothing we do at Rodeph Shalom can be as powerful a teaching tool as a child seeing his or her parent engaged in Jewish study. As our children attend Mercaz Limud or Confirmation Academy this can be an opportunity to connect with the adult community and to deepen a parent's knowledge of our tradition. We offer multiple avenues to parent learning.

Sundays in the Sanctuary:
Held every week from 9:50-10:10 in the Sanctuary, SiS gives parents a chance to learn with one of the rabbis and to discuss a topic from that trimester’s curriculum. By doing this we want to give parents a leg up on the car ride home. Hopefully we will provide a preview of the ideal answer to the question, “What are you learning at Mercaz Limud?” We will also be recommending short reading assignments for parents to keep up with their students’ learning.

Family Education

Family Education is an opportunity for parents, children, teachers and rabbis to learn together. Each year, we will host two family education programs for each Unit of students. These programs are large, fun, dynamic and packed with Jewish content, and very often we rely upon parents to be teachers for their children. A typical family education day looks like:

9:30-10:30 Parents attend Services with their child, Sundays in the Sanctuary and grab a bagel

10:30-11:00 Parents can observe classes or just relax in the Parent Lounge

11:00-11:30 Parents will learn with one of the rabbis and prepare for the student program

11:30-12:30 Parents, students, teachers and rabbis learn together

Chachamim (7th grade) has Family Education every week as Parents are invited to teach their children Torah at the L'dor V'dor Torah Study during first period 9:30-10:05.

Adult Education
RS offers a full array of adult level learning on Sunday mornings. Some classes are general and at the most introductory level, while others are more specific and go deeper into a subject. In addition we will be offering two levels of adult Hebrew instruction. Finally, some adult education classes will be specifically geared towards issues of Jewish parenting or grandparenting.

The Adult Lounge
Even if you just want a chance to relax, please join the community in the second floor parent lounge where you can form community through that age old Jewish tradition of schmoozing. We offer a comfortable lounge, wireless internet, and a bagel brunch every Sunday morning.

Homework
When we assign homework at the Mercaz Limud it is an opportunity for parents to engage their child in learning outside the classroom. Even a five minute discussion or 10 minutes of Hebrew practice during the middle of the week can provide the continuity needed to help keep student learning fresh between Sundays. Try to make Wednesday night “Jewish talk night” even if its only for 10 minutes.

Services and other special programs
When students see their parents engage in Jewish practice and learning the lessons of the Mercaz Limud fit into a meaningful context in their lives. As much as possible consider attending some of the varied offerings you see in the bulletin or on our web site.

Education Committee
As parents of RS children, we are all members of this committee. The Education Committee works closely with the Director of Youth Learning to help promote the goals of Jewish learning at Rodeph Shalom. The Educaiton Committee members are clergy, teachers, parents and members of the Congregation interested in the Mercaz Limud. The work varies from overseeing the curriculum and policies of the Mercaz Limud to organizing and helping coordinate school events. The Committee is dedicated to helping make Jewish education at Rodeph Shalom one in which children’s hearts, souls and intellects are challenged and a place that creates life long learners of Torah.