TEMPLE SHAARI EMETH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
WHERE LEARNING IS SWEET
Temple Shaari Emeth Religious School has been a leader in Reform Jewish Education since 1969. We provide a state-of-the-art Jewish education for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade in a one day per week program. The primary goal of our school is to enable students to build a positive Jewish identity while gaining a fundamental knowledge and understanding of Jewish values, practices, history and language. Hands-on and interactive learning form the basis of instruction. Students not only study about our tradition. They learn by doing. For example, as part of a unit on biblical history and archaeology students participate in a model archaeological excavation.
Creativity infuses literally every part of the curriculum, and we encourage our students to be all that they can be. Our 7th Grade Hebrew Honors students write their own poetry and prayers in Hebrew, and we are pleased to 
offer our student the opportunity to express themselves through artistic endeavors of all variety. This year, we are proud to have produced the world premiere of the play “How Chanukah Was Invented” by Anna Groginsky, a student in our 6th grade, and we will also present the debut of an original composition composed by 7th grade student Kyle Schneider. Our Newsletter and the T.S.E. Gazette often feature the works of our talented young writers, and student artists have designed a variety of posters and booklets for use in the school.
Every student is given opportunities for creative expression. Bar and Bat Mitzvah students complete their own Mitzvah projects and select the part of their Torah portion that they find most meaningful. Drama, creative writing, music and art are integrated into the curriculum, and students in Kindergarten through 6th grade participate in a weekly music program. Each grade also incorporates arts and crafts, and students create increasingly complex ritual items of their own, from Tzedakah boxes, Challah covers and Hebrew name plaques to Talitot and a personalized Yad that can actually be used to read from the Torah at Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
TSE’s Hebrew program is nationally recognized as a model of excellence. In one hour of weekly instruction, students not only master Hebrew reading, but can acquire an active Hebrew vocabulary of more than 300 words through our state-of-the-art Hebrew language program. By having the opportunity to use the living language creatively, students come to appreciate Hebrew as both the language of prayer and as their unique linguistic heritage. Monthly school services, Family Worship services and Concurrent Youth services give students the opportunity to put their classroom Hebrew learning into action as part of a community. We also provide a top notch special education program so that no child is left behind.
After B’nai Mitzvah, teens have greater opportunities to chart their own courses for Jewish involvement. Some study Torah trope, and assist the Cantor with Torah reading. Others learn how to write and lead creative worship services as part of our Concurrent Youth Service program. Many choose to become certified as teaching assistants for the younger children in the school. This program, which incorporates classroom teacher training with field experience as a classroom aide, was written up in The Jewish Education News, the most prestigious national journal for Jewish Education. Confirmation students study with Rabbi Panken and attend a special program on social action and political involvement in Washington, DC. Post-Confirmation offers our 11th and 12th graders the chance to pursue a course study that they design. At Shaari Emeth, we truly live the value of lifelong learning.
Our Religious School offers tremendous enrichment opportunities for students who want more. Our Jr. Choir provides joyful song at many of our Family Services, and is also renowned for its annual Mitzvah Tour. They perform Chanukkah music for patients at CentraState Hospital and area nursing homes, as well as the community at large. Our Dance Troupe also performs at Family Services and other special occasions. Most recently we added a Drama Club. At our Chanukkah Family Service they presented the world premier of “How Chanukah was Invented”, an original play by Anna Grogisnsky, a 6th grade member of the club. They also performed an adaptation of “Joseph Who Loved Shabbat” as part of the 2nd Grade Shabbat Family Program.
Temple Shaari Emeth was among the first schools in the country to offer educational programs for families and parents. An annual series of Family Programs allows parents and students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade to explore such important topics as Passover, Shabbat and Hebrew names together. During the past year, families came together to explore Sukkot and to share a special day together in honor of Rabbi Panken.
Our Religious School has been recognized by the Jewish Fund for Justice and the Union of Reform Judaism for outstanding Tzedakah work, including such programs as the “Book of Life” drive which raised funds to replace a synagogue library in California, and the “Caring Cards Campaign” in which our students created more than 500 bright and colorful cards for Israeli children. Each card contained expressions of solidarity and prayers for peace in Hebrew and English.
All of this is possible thanks to our dedicated and professional faculty, most of whom hold credentials in education and Jewish studies. All of them are committed to creating a warm and caring environment that fosters the growth of every child. Classes are kept small, allowing teachers to provide individualized attention to each student. At the same time, our clergy provide tremendous support for our school, and are intimately involved with every student’s education. Cantor Siet personally prepares every Bar and Bat Mitzvah candidate. Rabbi Panken works with every Bar and Bat Mitvah student and teaches Confirmation.
We reward academic achievement, originality and dedication. At the year-end assembly, awards are given for academic excellence, service attendance, creativity and school attendance. We regularly have students who complete four, five or even six consecutive years of perfect attendance. We value each and every individual and encourage them to strive for excellence in everything they do. All of this goes to show why Temple Shaari Emeth is truly the place where learning is sweet.
