Religious School
The Religious School of Havurat Shalom is able to provide a curriculum which includes Hebrew language training, cultural and ethnic education and holiday celebrations all while meeting ONCE a week in order to accommodate today's busy family schedule.
Location
Classes are offered at Congregation Beth Israel on Route 28, in Andover, MA. Our program for grades K-1, “Jumping Into Judaism”, is offered once per month.
Calendar
Weekly classes began Tuesday, September 20. The complete calendar can be downloaded here. Students can begin with our school community later than with the first class.
Weather-Related Closing or Class Cancellation
Our Religious School follows the Andover public school calendar. No religious classes will be held on days that the public school is closed due to school vacations and/or snow days.
Educational Goals
Also central to our program is the themes of Tzedakah and Mitzvot. Both are central to our curriculum goal of understanding what it is to a Jew. To this end, we will provide opportunities to actively participate, as a school, in at least one activity to serve the community at large.
The Class Format
Our school enrolls students from third grade until sixth grade. Our day is divided into two sections:
Homework
In order to reinforce learning, homework may be assigned on a weekly basis. We understand and are aware that your child may have significant amounts of homework from regular school, but the homework assigned will not be burdensome and your child has a minimum of a week to complete it.
Report Cards
Issued twice a year end of each semester. They are used to offer parents a way to review their child’s progress.
Attendance
Since we only meet once a week attendance is very important.
Shabbat Services
Students are required to attend our congregation’s Friday night services at least two times during the year, with their parent(s). Each class will be assigned one service a year and will work with their teacher to conduct a portion of the service. Our services are a wonderful, non-stressful, way to relax from a hectic week of running around. Try them, you’ll like them!! Each Friday evening Shabbat service is preceded by a welcoming, or "Kabbalat Shabbat", that we call “PIZZA WITH RABBI KAREN”. The post-Shabbat service, our "Oneg Shabbat", consists of desserts and conversation.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Instruction
This is not included in the general curriculum of our education program. However, specialized tutoring resources are available and would be paid for by the family to assist their child in preparation to become B’nai Mitzvah.
Snacks
No weekly snacks are provided. Please be sure your child has had a snack prior to coming to school. Special treats will be provided on special occasions and holidays.
Drop Off and Dismissal
Children need to be escorted into the building and supervised until the start of Tefilah. When dismissed, all children must be signed out by their parent. NO CHILD WILL BE DISMISSED WITHOUT A PARENT SIGNATURE AND ESCORT.
Tuition and Activity Fee
The fee schedule is as follows: Members: $485.00 for the first child $460.00 for each additional child of the same family Non-members: $885.00 per child An Activity/Book Fee of $25.00 is required per child [for both members and non-members] This is in addition to the tuition. Checks should be made out to “Havurat Shalom” and enclosed with your registration packets. Please make sure that Mindy Rakusin has your membership forms in order to get the member rates for your children. Send an email to Mindy if you do not have member registration packet. Please send us an email if you have any questions... You can get the complete registration packet here.
Location
Classes are offered at Congregation Beth Israel on Route 28, in Andover, MA. Our program for grades K-1, “Jumping Into Judaism”, is offered once per month.
Calendar
Weekly classes began Tuesday, September 20. The complete calendar can be downloaded here. Students can begin with our school community later than with the first class.
Weather-Related Closing or Class Cancellation
Our Religious School follows the Andover public school calendar. No religious classes will be held on days that the public school is closed due to school vacations and/or snow days.
Educational Goals
- To teach in a structured learning environment that will facilitate Hebrew Language instruction
- To provide students with a strong understanding of what it means to be Jewish;
- To teach timely and relevant topics for today’s world
- To continue to provide hands-on, interactive, opportunities for learning.
Also central to our program is the themes of Tzedakah and Mitzvot. Both are central to our curriculum goal of understanding what it is to a Jew. To this end, we will provide opportunities to actively participate, as a school, in at least one activity to serve the community at large.
The Class Format
Our school enrolls students from third grade until sixth grade. Our day is divided into two sections:
- Tefilah [prayer time] (the entire school participates and parents are welcomed and encouraged to stay)
- Hebrew Language Instructions / Prayer or Judaica.
Homework
In order to reinforce learning, homework may be assigned on a weekly basis. We understand and are aware that your child may have significant amounts of homework from regular school, but the homework assigned will not be burdensome and your child has a minimum of a week to complete it.
Report Cards
Issued twice a year end of each semester. They are used to offer parents a way to review their child’s progress.
Attendance
Since we only meet once a week attendance is very important.
Shabbat Services
Students are required to attend our congregation’s Friday night services at least two times during the year, with their parent(s). Each class will be assigned one service a year and will work with their teacher to conduct a portion of the service. Our services are a wonderful, non-stressful, way to relax from a hectic week of running around. Try them, you’ll like them!! Each Friday evening Shabbat service is preceded by a welcoming, or "Kabbalat Shabbat", that we call “PIZZA WITH RABBI KAREN”. The post-Shabbat service, our "Oneg Shabbat", consists of desserts and conversation.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Instruction
This is not included in the general curriculum of our education program. However, specialized tutoring resources are available and would be paid for by the family to assist their child in preparation to become B’nai Mitzvah.
Snacks
No weekly snacks are provided. Please be sure your child has had a snack prior to coming to school. Special treats will be provided on special occasions and holidays.
Drop Off and Dismissal
Children need to be escorted into the building and supervised until the start of Tefilah. When dismissed, all children must be signed out by their parent. NO CHILD WILL BE DISMISSED WITHOUT A PARENT SIGNATURE AND ESCORT.
Tuition and Activity Fee
The fee schedule is as follows: Members: $485.00 for the first child $460.00 for each additional child of the same family Non-members: $885.00 per child An Activity/Book Fee of $25.00 is required per child [for both members and non-members] This is in addition to the tuition. Checks should be made out to “Havurat Shalom” and enclosed with your registration packets. Please make sure that Mindy Rakusin has your membership forms in order to get the member rates for your children. Send an email to Mindy if you do not have member registration packet. Please send us an email if you have any questions... You can get the complete registration packet here.
