In our Early Learning programs, the emphasis is on the joy of discovery and love of learning. In our Hebrew School and Adult Education classes, the curriculum is more advanced, but the philosophy is simply the same.
Click here to download the 2008-09 Preschool and Playschool Calendar
Click here to download the 2008-09 Neziner Hebrew School Calendar
EARLY LEARNING
Abigail R. Cohen Preschool and Laurie Wagman Playschool
Jodi Gordon, Director
The Abigail R. Cohen Preschool and the Laurie Wagman Playschool offer a play-based developmental program designed to meet the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of each child. Children explore, discover, and learn through their play; therefore, we offer an enriched environment for this exploration. The environment includes experiences and materials that are stimulating, challenging, and satisfying.
Our curriculum includes language and literacy, math and science awareness, cooking, art and visual awareness, music, creative movement, and children’s tumbling and fitness. The curriculum is designed to infuse a Jewish atmosphere throughout the program. The children experience Judaism through weekly Shabbat and Havdalah observances, the celebration of the Jewish holidays, and the introduction of Hebrew through conversation, songs, and blessings. During our school-wide Shabbat celebrations, our Rabbi and our Cantor join the children in welcoming Shabbat through blessings, songs, stories, and puppetry.
Our goals for your child:
• Providing a warm, nurturing, supportive, "first" school experience;
• Creating a stimulating, enriching environment of diverse materials and experiences for safe exploration, healthy fun, and well-rounded development;
• Encouraging your child's growing independence, ability to relate to a group, and formation of a positive self-image;
• Offering opportunities for your child to develop a Jewish identity and sense of community spirit;
• Providing personal attention, focusing on individuality and experiences that meet
the needs and interest of each child.
Our goals for the parents:
• Providing a facility and program where each child is nurtured and well cared for with ample opportunities for parents to observe and participate;
• Providing a warm and nurturing setting to ease the transition from home to school for the parents as well as the children;
• Providing opportunities to interact with the teachers, obtain ample feedback, discuss concerns and help focus on activities for the individual child;
• Enhancing opportunities for interaction with other school families in order to share parenting experiences, developmental information and a sense of community in both secular and Jewish areas;
• Encouraging the satisfaction, sense of commitment and pride that comes from involvement in your child's first program.
Laurie Wagman Playschool Program
For children approximately 18 months to three years by September 1st.
The Laurie Wagman Playschool began as a parent-child playgroup in the early 1980's, when a group of Center City parents recognized the need for an organized program for children under the age of three years. By September 1983, the Playschool officially opened as a parent-managed program with a professional teaching staff. Today, the Laurie Wagman Playschool and the Abigail R. Cohen Preschool are managed by the Early Childhood Education Director and professional teaching staff, under the guidance of the synagogue and the Early Childhood Education Committee.
The Laurie Wagman Playschool is a transitional program for very young children,
which bridges the gap between home and a formal preschool environment. Our excellent child to adult ratio and active participation of a parent each day in the classroom (in addition to the head teacher and assistant staff) contribute to a special program which encourages both parents and children to take important steps together.
Playschool Lunch Bunch Program
The Playschool Lunch Bunch Program is an optional program for children currently enrolled in the Laurie Wagman Playschool. This program is an extension of the Playschool which provides children with an additional hour of discovery and fun. During this hour, the children also share lunch time with their friends.
Abigail R. Cohen Preschool
For children 3 to 5 years of age by September 1st.
The Abigail R. Cohen Preschool opened in September of 2001 as a continuation of our dynamic Playschool program. The Preschool provides an appropriate developmental program with an emphasis on learning through play, exploration, and self-discovery, while preparing the children for a formal Kindergarten experience. The combination of our exceptional child to adult ratio, active family involvement, and qualified and nurturing teaching team, fosters the growth of the whole child in all areas of their development.
Afternoon Enrichment Program
For children enrolled in the Abigail R. Cohen Preschool
The Afternoon Enrichment Program is an optional program for children enrolled in the
Abigail R. Cohen Preschool. This program continues to provide families with a supportive environment which compliments the philosophy of the Abigail R. Cohen Preschool and the Laurie Wagman Playschool. The central objective of the Afternoon Enrichment Program is to encourage the children to play and learn in a cooperative and respectful environment, while mastering social skills, enhancing self-esteem, and pursuing individual interests. Cultural programs enhance the Afternoon Enrichment Program and include the following: Hebrew language immersion, art enrichment, children’s theater arts, science exploration, cooking, imaginative play, creative movement, and walking trips to local points of interest.
Music Program
Both the Abigail R. Cohen Preschool and the Laurie Wagman Playschool participate in our music program. Each class has a half-hour of rhythm and movement activities expressed through music and song with our music specialist. Music is held every week. Additionally, music activities are presented throughout the week by our Preschool and Playschool teachers, our Cantor, and occasionally by a parent.
Visual Arts
Children enrolled in the Abigail R. Cohen Preschool and the Laurie Wagman Playschool will explore the world of visual arts through free explorations of various media including paint (easel painting, brush painting, and finger painting), collage, sculpture, crayons, pencils, markers, printmaking, etc. The children will discover art and artists through books, nature, and local museum visits. The children focus their explorations on the process of creating as they discover their unique abilities and their expanding world.
Creative Movement/Tumbling and Fitness
Creative movement is integrated throughout the week in each classroom. In addition, once each week, our preschool children develop their kinesthetic awareness through training in flexibility, agility, and building strength, all leading to an age-appropriate comprehensive fitness program.
Admissions
The Abigail R. Cohen Preschool and Laurie Wagman Playschool admissions process begins September 1 of the year preceding enrollment. We offer Open Houses in November and January, as well as tours throughout the year. Our admissions process includes:
1. Tours provide a wonderful opportunity to observe the children and teachers
actively involved in the classrooms. Tours are offered throughout the year and are held in the morning. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe the classroom, tour the school, meet the teachers, and speak with the director. You can expect to spend approximately one hour at our school.
2. Submit one application and application fee per child applying to the program. Applications are accepted after September 1 for the upcoming Summer and Fall/Spring Sessions. You will receive a letter confirming receipt of the application(s). Although we do not have an application deadline, it is recommended that you submit an application in the fall or early winter. After this time, we consider applications on a rolling basis as space allows. Application to the Preschool and Playschool may be made prior to or after your visit.
3. Children currently enrolled our school are given the opportunity in January to re-enroll for the following year.
4. Preference is given in the following order to new acceptances: Members of the synagogue, siblings of former students, and date of application. Families of children newly applying to the program are notified of their placement by the first week of March.
If you are interested in receiving more information about our program or if you would like to schedule a tour, please contact our Early Childhood Education Director, Jodi Gordon at 215-735-5148, ext. 104 or EarlyChildhood@bzbi.org. Jodi welcomes the opportunity to share our Playschool and Preschool with you.
HEBREW SCHOOL
Neziner Hebrew School
Cindy Kushner, Director
For children in Pre-school through High School.
At Neziner Hebrew School, every student practices to be a:
M IND your MANNERS be polite to everyone.
E NJOY yourself and the time you spend at BZBI.
N OTE the NEATNESS of the synagogue and keep it clean.
S PEAK in a SOFT voice.
C ONVEY CONSIDERATION and CARING for others’ feelings.
H ELP other students, teachers, parents, and visitors.
We are a caring community of learners at BZBI!
Sequence of Classes
Gan age 5, grade K
Mechinah Aleph age 6, grade 1
Mechinah Bet age 7, grade 2
Aleph age 8, grade 3
Bet age 9, grade 4
Gimel age 10, grade 5
Dalet age 11, grade 6
Hay age 12-13, grade 7
Hebrew High age 14-16 (16 year olds in the Confirmation Class), grades 8-10
Curriculum Summary
Gan
Gan classes meet on Shabbat from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Our kindergarten-age children enjoy a stimulating curriculum which includes Shabbat services and blessings, learning mitzvot, Hebrew through drama and songs, and creative activities focusing on holidays, Israel, Torah, and music.
Mechinah
Mechinah Aleph and Mechinah Bet classes meet on Shabbat from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and on Wednesdays from 4 – 6 p.m. These classes focus on Shabbat prayers, Hebrew letter and vowel recognition, decoding of simple Hebrew words, holidays, Bible stories, music, and mitzvot.
Aleph, Bet, Gimel, Dalet, Hay
These students meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 – 6 p.m., and on Shabbat from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A wider range of subjects is covered in these years, such as History, Holocaust, Israel, Ethics, and Jewish Community, along with more familiar subjects such as holidays, mitzvot, Hebrew, and music. Dalet and Hay classes also meet regularly with the Rabbi and Cantor to become better acquainted with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Every Shabbat these students conduct services, as well as participate in lively discussions of stories from the Torah, Prophets and Writings, and ethical issues. Once each month, they conduct the Musaf service in the main sanctuary for adults. An overnight Shabbaton, special events and trips, songfest, films, homecoming service, mitzvah projects, and art projects also enrich our middle students’ years at Neziner.
Confirmation Class/Hebrew High
The confirmation class consists of students in 10th grade secularly and the Hebrew High Children are in 8th and 9th grades. Until recently, BZBI conducted its confirmation class/Hebrew High jointly with Society Hill Synagogue. The High School is now completely housed within BZBI, which runs the program independently. Students discuss complex and controversial aspects of Judaism on an adult level, including life cycle, ethics, and comparative Judaism, as well as optional Hebrew coursework. Students spend their first hour of classroom time in study with Rabbi Stone. The second hour is spent working in the school to mentor younger students. At the end of the year these students will be recognized for their help in the Hebrew School and there will be a confirmation ceremony in May for the 10th graders. We are planning to continue with the Confirmation class trip to Israel this year as well.
Shabbaton
Students in classes Aleph through Hay participate in the annual Shabbaton. There is always a Jewish topic as a theme for the overnighter, and there are informal classes held with games played to strengthen the children’s knowledge of the subject matter. This is considered part of our educational program and all students are encouraged to attend. The Shabbaton outing gives the students and teachers the opportunity to interact in an informal educational setting and helps to strengthen and buoy our community.
Shabbat
Classes on Shabbat include special services for all students conducted by students and teachers and sometimes Neziner alumni in the classroom area. Our youngest students may hold their service in their classroom (and join concluding services in the main sanctuary as mentioned above), while students in classes Aleph through Hay form our junior congregation and hold their service together in the central area downstairs. All services include a Torah-related story, a brief age-appropriate sermon, blessings, and songs. All Neziner parents, whether or not they are members of the BZBI congregation, are welcomed and encouraged to attend services in the main sanctuary while their children are in class.
Community Days
Several times a year, our regular educational programming is enriched by special activities for the entire school. These events range from a weekend visit to a matzah factory at Pesach, a performance by Theater Ariel at the synagogue, or unique family art projects such as the tile mosaic mounted in the large classroom area. Community Days have been consistently joyous events, when all students and many family members come together to share food, learn something new, and get to know each other a little better.
ADULT EDUCATION
Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel invites you to explore Judaism’s rich traditions, sacred texts and beautiful cultural heritage through its Adult Education programs taught by our Rabbi, Cantor, lay leaders and special invited guests.
BZBI U Judaica was held November 16th - a semester in a day taught by exceptional faculty from Gratz College and our own Rabbi Stone
Programs Offered Throughout the Year
The Mussar Institute at Beth Zion-Beth Israel
For the serious student, Mussar is a community of leaders dedicated to transforming themselves, their relationships and their institutions by fully integrating the values of Mussar (a literature, a philosophy, a movement and a practice) into daily life.
Mussar is taught by Rabbi Stone, a Mussar scholar. For information about this fascinating study, contact templeoffice@bzbi.org.
A Taste of Judaism
A program designed to increase the knowledge and understanding of Jewish traditions. Classes are especially designed to benefit both non-affiliated Jews and non-Jewish participants.
Synagogue Skills
Learn the customs, choreography and mechanics of a Friday night or Shabbat morning service—when to stand, when to sit, when to bow. A wonderful way to introduce, or re-introduce, yourself to services at our conservative synagogue.
Book Club
Books of Jewish content are given the widest possible audience through Rabbi Stone’s Great Jewish Books Club. Approximately 4 books a year are reviewed including a selection from our "One Book-One Congregation Program."
Cantor Sharon Grainer’s Workshops
These workshops include songs and liturgy for the Friday night service, Shabbat morning service, the High Holidays and Passover. CD’s are offered to help the student with study after the workshop is over.
