General Description

The Beth El Synagogue Maple Stream Road Preschool ... is our on-site nursery school at Beth El Synagogue where we offer programs for children ages 2 1/2 to 5 years old. This includes Mommy & Me classes and Kindergarten enrichment. Children can attend school for half-day sessions or stay for the entire day. For more information, contact the Maple Stream Road Preschool at msrps@bethel.net.
(Click here to read about how Maple Stream Religious Preschool has received National Accreditation for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). )

Torah for Tots ... is an exciting and creative pre-school program for children from the ages of 3 1/2 to 5 years old, which is offered during the normal secular school year, twice a month for 1 1/2 hours on Sunday mornings. Children of both members and non-synagogue members may attend these classes.

Tot Shabbat ... For young children through kindergarten, and their parents, takes place on Shabbat mornings, twice a month (the first and third Shabbatot of the month), from 10:30 am to 11:00 am with participation by Rabbi Kornsgold and Cantor Brandspiegel.

Adult Education (click here for the 2007-2008 Brochure) ... At Beth El, we have an expanding and eclectic series of classes, seminars and lectures to meet the diverse interests of our members. Think of our adult education program as being truly customer-driven. If we can get three-to-five interested in a subject, we'll form a class and find instructors. There are classes in Torah, Talmud, learning to read Hebrew, Haftorah and Torah. Classes also include Jewish arts, and current issues facing Jews in the world. Some of our most recent lectures covered issues like Judaism and medical ethics, Jewish women in literature and Holocaust reparations. The adult education program at Beth El also looks to coordinate classes with other synagogues in the area, especially where those classes can be further enriched by a wider audience and broader dialogue.

Religious School

Building a strong foundation through education, Beth El offers a comprehensive religious school program, which instills in young people a respect and love of God, Torah and the values inherent in Jewish traditions. Children are not only educated in the classroom, they are also encouraged to participate in Friday night, Saturday morning, Junior Congregation and Beginner's Junior Congregation services. The religious school is staffed by dedicated professionals... and supported by an award winning school library.

Aleph/Bet classes are for children who are 6 and 7 years old. Classes are held on Sunday mornings. Emphasis is placed on learning Hebrew letters and vowels. Learning is interactive using all types of media for an informative, yet fun experience!

Gimmel - Zayin ranges from ages 8 through 13 years. Classes closely correspond to secular school grades 3 through 7 and are held on Wednesdays and Sundays, with five hours of classes per week. Emphasis is on placed on Hebrew reading, learning the religious services, holidays and Jewish history. Vav and Zayin students "adopt a grandparent" at a local Jewish nursing home. Completion of five years of Hebrew School studies (or an equivalent period, as determined by the Rabbi) is a requirement for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Hebrew High School Students are encouraged to continue their Jewish education following Bar/Bat Mitzvah, with an emphasis on the relevance of Jewish values in today's society. Beth El provides classes one evening a week for students at secular 8th through 10th grade levels, and participates in a regional program for students in grades 11 and 12.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation takes place in two stages. One year prior to the bar/bat mitzvah date, students participate in a Chavurah (a cohesive group of children and parents), which meets five times to develop a better understanding of what it means to be a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. As part of the Chavurah, each student undertakes a Tzedakah (volunteer) project in the community. Six months before the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the student begins meeting with a Haftorah tutor. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah training is a significant step, not only to adulthood... but to a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a community.