The Lincoln Jewish Community School offers religious education from Pre-School through High School. We are a jointly run school conducted by Congregation B’Nai Jeshurun and Congregation Tifereth Israel. These congregations have mutually agreed that the Jewish youth of Lincoln, Nebraska would benefit from a merged religious school for all grade levels. With a strong desire to increase the quality of Jewish education for youth in the area, the two Jewish schools agree to combine resources and planning efforts to initiate a Lincoln Jewish School to begin in September, 2005.

MissionStatement:

The mission of the LJCS is to teach our children the richness of our heritage, help themselves to achieve a positive Jewish identity and encourage them to actively participate in Jewish life at home, in the community and in the world.

Philosophy:

We believe that our school must provide the student with:

• A strong Jewish identity by providing an integrated curriculum in the following areas: Holidays and/or History, Tanach (Torah), Mitzvot/Community, Israel, Hebrew language.
• Opportunities to explore the spiritual aspects of religion and tradition.
• “Hands – on” experiences and programs that allow the student to practice observance in their home and at the school.

Goals:

The goals of the LJCS are:

• To enable students to develop a strong Jewish identity and to become knowledgeable about Jewish religious observations, history and values.
• To foster strong relationships between children, parents, teachers and administrators.
• To provide opportunities to experience relevant aspects of Jewish practice and tradition through active experiences with study, participation in worship services and celebration of holidays.

Classroom Assignments:

In order to share our resources we have decided to have classes at these buildings and times.

Location: Tifereth Israel
3219 Sheridan Blvd.
Lincoln, NE

Sundays ~ 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Class	Teacher
Second-Third grade	Andrea Halperin
Fourth-Fifth grade	Jennifer Rosenblatt/Galina Moldavsky
Sixth-Seventh grade	Katie Cook/Shoshanna Shaffin

Wednesdays ~ 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

2^nd through 7^th grades

Location:  South Street Temple
2061 S. 20^th st.
Lincoln, NE

Sundays ~ 9:45a.m.– 12:15 p.m.

Class	Teacher
Kindergarten/First grade	Alicia Chapelle /Angie DeCamp

Hallah High will spend the first half of the school year at South Street Temple and the second half of the school year at Tifereth Israel. The teachers are Brian Schur and Sarah Trainin.

Curriculum:

The LJCS has created a curriculum to meet the developing needs of children from Kindergarten through High School. Specific topic areas and goals have been developed to ensure a well rounded, appropriate Jewish education for all ages.

While with this new curriculum each grade will certainly be given a well rounded Jewish education, it has been decided that each grade level will have a different Judaic focus for each year, thus allowing for some form of greater immersion in each of our main topics every year as is developmentally appropriate.

Kindergarten- First Grade Focus: An Introduction to the World of ReligiousSchool

The overall focus of the fist part of the year will be to give each student some introductory exposure to Jewish holidays, Bible, Mitzvot, and Israel. During the second half of the year, children will receive a more in-depth exploration of Jewish holidays and Mitzvot.

Goals: The overall goal of this year of study is to develop a basic familiarity with Jewish holiday observances, with the ethics of tzedakah (charity) and other selected mitzvot, with the fundamentals of the Alef-Bet (Hebrew alphabet), as well as with basic stories from the Bible. Students will expand their knowledge of Jewish practices and customs and will begin to learn and practice skills for participation in congregational services. They will continue to practice their knowledge of the Hebrew Alef-Bet. Through these activities students will continue to enhance their sense of identity as knowledgeable and committed Jews.

Texts:

• Let’s Discover the Alef-Bet
• Let’s Discover Shabbat
• Let’s Celebrate
• Let’s Discover the Synagogue
• Let’s Discoer god
• Let’s Explore Being Jewish
• Mitzvot
• My Calendar

Second/Third Grade-Focus: Bible and Israel

The main focus of the second/third grade class will be a more intense study of Biblical stories and figures as well as a journey into the geography, history, and culture of the modern State of Israel. Also, it is important to note that this year will begin the children’s intensive study of Hebrew language.

Goals: In the Second/Third grade year, students will begin their intensive study of the Hebrew language as well as will begin to explore the multi-faceted world of the Bible using traditional, modern, and personal methods of interpretation. Additionally, students will begin to discover the wonders and diversity of the modern State of Israel, its peoples, and history. Over the course of the year the students will also continue to increase their understanding of mitzvot and Jewish holidays.

Texts:

• The Jewish Holidays Activity Sheets
• The Explorer’s Bible
• God’s Garden
• Yisrael Artzaynu

Fourth/Fifth Grade Focus: Jewish History and Bible

The main focus of the fourth/fifth grade class will be a continuation of their intensive Bible study as well as an introduction into the study of Jewish history.

Goals: The goals of the fourth/fifth grade class will be to continue their Biblical studies onto Prophets and Writings and well as begin to study the historical evolution of the Jewish people from ancient Israel to 1880’s America. In addition, as a special cultural exploration, the fourth/fifth graders will have monthly Jewish cooking activities that will expose the students to the rich and diverse world of traditional Jewish food.

Texts:

• History of Jewish People
• Pass the Torah Please
• An Intro to Kings, Prophets and Writings
• A Kid’s Mensch Handbook

Sixth-Seventh Grade Focus: Fostering Connections between the Students and God/Torah/Israel

The focus of this year is for students to begin to foster a personal connection between themselves and God, the Bible, and the larger Jewish community as they prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

A special emphasis will be placed on the Holocaust this year.

Goals: The goals of this year will be to give the students a taste of the Torah by studying the 12 parashiyot in Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The students will begin to grapple with different conceptions of God as well as different theological reasons behind mitzvot. Over the course of the year Rabbi Shaffin and Rabbi Emmanuel will be visiting the class in order to teach the students about the differences between the Reform and Conservative movement and introduce them to other ways of Jewish life around the world. Students will begin to understand the Jewish lifecycle with the hope of helping them to envision their future adult life as a committed Jew. Additionally, students will gain a deeper understanding of the political and cultural history of the modern state of Israel.

Texts:

• The Time of Our Lives
• Rediscovering the Jewish Holidays
• Parashat Hashavua parts 1 & 2

Attendance:

We believe that children learn best by regular attendance. Therefore, we expect the students to attend all classes in which they are enrolled. Every effort should be made to include attendance at their respective houses of worship on Shabbat and holidays. We ask that parents notify the school office if their child will be absent so the teachers can plan accordingly.

Note: Children from Tifereth Israelare expected to attend synagogue services at least four times per month during the school year in order to fulfill the requisite number of religious instruction hours as stipulated by the Education department of the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism.

Drop off and Pick up:

We ask that children be dropped off on time and no earlier than 10 minutes prior to class unless previously arranged.

Parents are expected to pick up their children on time and are encouraged to come into the building to pick up their children; not only for safety reasons but to check to see if there are any concerns or activities that they should be aware of. Children will only be released to their parents or authorized escorts. Please notify the school office if someone other than those indicated will be picking up your child.

Parents as Partners:

At the LJCS we believe that the success of our ReligiousSchooldepends largely on a working relationship between the school and the parent. At the most basic level, parents demonstrate the importance of Jewish education to their family by driving their children to ReligiousSchool, ensuring regular attendance and participating in school events. It is vitally important for students to see their parents inside the Synagogue building. If they do not, they will believe that religious school and the Synagogue are only for young people and not important to their parents. We also strongly encourage you to attend Shabbat services with your children. Parents will be kept informed about what is happening in ReligiousSchool. When a holiday or important event is approaching, the school will send home information and suggestions for family involvement/discussions. Although parents are encouraged to be in contact with their child’s teacher throughout the year, we will hold parent-teacher conferences periodically during the year to provide you with important information about your child’s Jewish education. By observing their parents engaged in study and activities, children witness the highest level of commitment to lifelong learning.

Ways you can show support for your child’s Jewish education include:

• sharing your talents by being a guest teacher for a day
• teach songs and or dances to classes
• sign up to be a substitute religious school teacher
• attend parent-teacher conferences

Library Use:

Both congregations have wonderful libraries available to our children and families. The library will be used in a number of ways to enrich our curriculum. Library facilities are set up on the honor system and we ask that everyone be respectful of the facilities.

Guidance and Discipline:

Teachers will work with students to create school expectations and will work to ensure that these expectations are met by children, teachers and administrators. Teachers will help guide individual children’s behaviors so that every child is ensured the opportunity of a safe and pleasant experience in our religious school. If necessary, an individual conference with a student and their parents may be initiated by the teacher or administrator to resolve behavior concerns.

Snacks and food:

Any food brought into either building must be dairy or pareve. Food brought into Tifereth Israelmust have a kosher symbol on it. Please respect the specific traditions/guidelines of the building when you are there. Please contact the school administration if there are concerns about Kashrut.

Care of the buildings and ground:

All building common areas, classrooms and grounds should be left in a clean and orderly condition. When we are in the sanctuary for any activity we are to show respect for other people and well as for the sanctity of the room. Therefore, we are careful with our voices, hands and feet.

Appropriate Dress:

Please be sure to have children dressed appropriately. Kippot or hat wearing will follow the specific traditions of the building as well as the wishes of the student and their family. If this is a concern, please contact the school administration.

Tzedakah:

Tzedakah, the Hebrew word for righteousness, is frequently misunderstood to mean charity. However, it is more in the nature of a commandment to care for others as well as for our earth. We understand that Tzedakah can be practiced in a variety of ways and doesn’t always involve monetary giving. Teachers will encourage the giving of Tzedakah in their classrooms weekly. All monetary donations will be distributed to the organization chosen by the individual classes.

Tuition: (applies to South St Temple families only, as tuition is already calculated as part of Tifereth Israel dues)

Gan Simcha……………………………………………….........$75.00 per child
Religious School (Sunday) K-12th….……..…........$150.00 per child
Hebrew Class (Wednesday) for 2nd-7th…………….$50.00 per child
Both (Sunday and Wednesday) ……………..…….....$200.00 per child

Child Abuse Reporting:

Anyone working with children is considered by law to be a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect. It is therefore the responsibility of all teaching and administrative staff to report such concerns to the proper authorities

Severe Weather Closing:

In the case of severe weather, the LJCS administration will make the decision to cancel classes. The teachers will be notified and asked to call the families in their classes. In the event of a cancellation, the Synagogues will not be open so do not drop off your children without checking first if they are open. In case of severe weather during the school week, the Synagogues will be closed if Lincoln Public Schools is closed or closes early. Please check with local radio/TV to verify school closings.

In the event of a tornado warning while school is in session, we will remain in the appropriate designated location inside the building until the all clear is sounded.

Injury/Accident :

If a child is injured during class time the school administration will evaluate the injury and take appropriate measures. Parents will be notified and medical attention will begin if necessary. Other less serious problems will be handled by calling the parents or emergency contact listed on the enrollment forms. No medication will be administered during religious school times.

Confidentiality of Records:

Children’s records are open only to authorized members of the Synagogues including the administration, teachers, Rabbis and Board of Directors. Information will not be shared with other members of the congregations.