Overview

Ahavath Achim’s (AA) Education Department is excited to roll out a new interactive Religious School curriculum in which learning is a fun and fascinating experience. Students—grades pre-kindergarten through 7—will explore Judaic topics by age, participate in our skill-based Hebrew curriculum, participate in small group Family programs and come together as a community for Shabbat at least once a month.

This full program of learning is too good to miss! The Education Committee has led the initiative to invite and include the children of non-AA members in our religious school. Specifically, the first child of a non-AA member would pay a slightly higher tuition fee while each additional child would pay the regular AA member fee. And that family would receive a one-year free family membership to our synagogue.

Application

To register your child for the AA Religious School, click here for Application. To view our Fee Schedule click here. For questions or more information, contact Marcia Lindner at 404.603.5748.

Schedule

See Education Department Calendar for specific dates

Curriculum

For specific information, click here.

Each student will be evaluated for placement into a skill-based Hebrew class.  The student will be learning at his or her own pace following an individualized educational plan developed to fit just that child. No more one size fits all!

The AA Religious School curriculum is an engaging, multi-faceted program that utilizes art, music, storytelling and games to create a solid base of Conservative Judaic Education for children and teens.  The Judaics study, provided by the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) is a spiraled curriculum, in which students revisit key content areas as they progress. This allows students to mark the passages of time through Jewish life cycle ceremonies and traditions of their Jewish heritage.  The curriculum is both highly individualized and developmentally appropriate—nurturing students’ Jewish identity and connection to their areas of study. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning activities address students’ different learning styles and ensure that students feel successful, are having a good time—and are learning.

In addition to the ISJL curriculum, the new school schedule includes an innovative component called Zip Havurot that will take place outside of our regular Religious School hours. Students and their families will periodically meet as a group, based on geographical location, to celebrate and learn. The goal of Zip Havurot is to fully engage children and their parents in learning about and observing mitzvot together in authentic environments. For example, a group may choose to gather for a Shabbat dinner at a Havurah member’s home. They may decide to volunteer to help the needy in our community or head out for a hike or camping trip to increase awareness of environmental issues as they relate to specific Jewish holidays. The choices are endless—and worthwhile—and a meaningful way for families to live out their Judaism. This is guaranteed to be a wonderful and fulfilling experience for everyone.

We are also delighted to reintroduce the Shabbat Morning Program (SMP). Instead of class on Sunday, school will be held on the first Shabbat of almost every month. Classes will meet from 10:00 – 10:45 AM followed by a family service, alternating monthly with student participation in the main service.

Milestones

Kindergarten Consecration marks the beginning of the journey into Formal Jewish Education.  Kindergarten students participate in a sweet ceremony on Simchat Torah when they are blessed under the Talit and are showered with sweet gifts to help the children remember this occasion with great fondness.

Mechina Siddur Presentation takes place in the spring after our  beginning students have completed learning to read Hebrew.  During this moving ceremony, our new readers are presented with their very own copies of Siddur Sim Shalom in beautiful book covers created lovingly by their families.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah marks the age when a Jewish boy or girl  formally, publicly and proudly assumes the obligation to follow the commandments as an adult. To access the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook, (Handbook available soon).

Religious School Graduation takes place in the spring to recognize those students who have successful completed the Religious School program and recognizes this achievement.

Confirmation takes place at the end of the 12th grade year and recognizes those students who have continued to study and seek out Jewish experiences during the teen years.  After completing an 8 week course of study with our rabbis, students gather together to share why Judaism is important in their lives and celebrate with the entire congregation.

The Family Kesher (Newsletter)

Every Monday afternoon, the Education Department distributes the Family Kesher, an electronic newsletter containing all the information a family needs to know about programs, services and the Religious School as well as community related events. Contact Summer Pollack @ 404.603.5749 to be included in this mailing.

For questions about AA's Religious School, Contact Marcia Lindner at 404.603.5748.