TBS News and Information

Education has always been a hallmark of Temple B’nai Shalom. We have taught generations of students about values and traditions, holidays and history, Israel as our Jewish homeland, rituals, prayers, and actions that make our world a better place. Our younger students learn and experience joyful Judaism, developing a deep sense of Jewish identity. Our older students explore how Judaism shapes their lives and how their Jewish identity impacts how they see the world around them. On any given Sunday, our Temple building is filled to capacity with students and teachers, using every square foot to build a connected community of learning. It is an incredible undertaking and a meaningful accomplishment, bringing to life our congregation’s value of Talmud Torah, lifelong Jewish learning.

Such an accomplishment doesn’t happen by itself. We are led in this venture by our amazing Director of Education, Stephanie Ben Simon. With boundless enthusiasm and love for Jewish learning and learners, Stephanie guides our educational enterprise. Her relentless positivity is infectious. She is fiercely dedicated to providing opportunities for learning for every one of our students, wanting each one to succeed in joyful Jewish living and learning.

That mission is fulfilled through the work of our incredible faculty, a team of TBS members who commit their time, energy, and passion to passing on Judaism to the next generation. Our teachers are living role models of Jewish values, demonstrating ways that Judaism shapes our lives and helping their students develop their own sense of Jewish identity. They are aided by a fine group of teenagers, madrichim, teaching assistants, who are inspired to “pay forward” the positive religious education experiences they received by helping create them, in turn, for their students.

All of this is overseen by our Religious School Committee, comprised of TBS members, parents,and teachers, who shape our educational vision and craft our school’s policies and procedures. They are supported by the Temple Board and staff, working together to make sure our education program continues its reputation for excellence. And none of this is possible without our families, who entrust their children to our care and partner with us in shaping their Jewish identity through home practices and family traditions.

The effort in coordinating all of this is immense. And it is absolutely worth it! To see our children laughing and playing, or engaged in serious conversation, or crafting an art project, or learning their Hebrew letters, or exploring Jewish values, or lifting their voices in song or prayer– all in the context of Jewish living and learning – nothing makes me prouder as a congregational rabbi. This is our fulfillment of the mitzvah, v’shinantam l’vanecha, “you shall teach them diligently to your children,” through a joyful shaping of Jewish identity.

I hope to see you tonight for our “Back to Shul” service at 7pm. Then we’ll see you on Sunday morning for the start of a great Religious School year!