The North Fork Reform Synagogue has dedicated itself to the education of all Jewish children, with special regards to individual needs and requirements. It is our commitment to all children to guarantee a curriculum that considers the student’s physical, psychological, and familial situations. We provide both beginning and advanced Hebrew instruction with our Rabbi on a biweekly basis. Helene Ciappetta, a State Certified Reading Specialist, instructs our younger children in; Torah, Jewish values, holidays, prayer, tzedakah, and crafts. Our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students meet with our Rabbi for individual training on a biweekly basis

The educational programs of the North Fork Reform Synagogue were created to provide children with beginning to advanced religious education. All of our dedicated and talented congregants unite to volunteer their expertise and knowledge to ensure that our children receive the benefits of a comprehensive Jewish education.

Objective: The students will develop an understanding and interpret the Tenakh; Torah, Prophets, and Psalms.

Method: By carefully investigating the bible stories as parables and allegories, the students will compare imagery, symbolism, and personalities as we read. The bible stories will be combined with Midrash, to synthesize Jewish values, holidays, and concepts.

I Torah Study
Jewish Bible Alef to Tav by Penina V. Adelman, will be used to reinforce the Hebrew alphabet.

A Child’s Bible: Lessons from the Torah by Seymour Rossel, will be used to teach bible stories.

The Gamebook for A Child’s Bible: Lessons from the Torah by Seymour Rossel, will provide additional reinforcement.

God’s Top Ten: The Meaning of the Ten Commandments by Roberta Goodman, will discuss the meaning and application of these mitzvot.

Midrash Rabbah and The Book of Legends will be used in conjunction with the children’s text to enrich the reading experience.

Project: The students will begin the creation of their own personal illustrated Tenakh.

II Holidays

The Book of Jewish Holidays by Ruth Kozodoy, will provide the history and customs of our Jewish heritage.

Planned holiday celebrations:
Sukkah decoration and Pizza Party
Shabbat Family Dinner
Chanukah Party
Tu B’Shevat Seder
Purim Party and Hamantashen
Passover Hagadah
Havdalah Service with Rabbi

III Prayer

Jewish prayers will be presented in the form of song, as they are introduced in our bible study and holidays. Our synagogue songbook will be used for this purpose.

IV Jewish Values

Jewish Values Alef to Tav, artwork by Dan Krovatin, will present Midrash and values in a creative fashion. These leaflets will inspire discussion and serve as an introduction to bible stories.

V Arts and Crafts

Personal Tenakh with fabric cover
Illustrations combining drawing with collage
Written reflection as appropriate
Tzedakah boxes for Chanukah presents
Chanukah cards
Clay dreydls and menorahs
Shabbat and holiday placemats

VI Tzedakah

Jewish values and ethics will be applied and discussed through social action, projects and investigations.

Car wash – proceeds to benefit Mattituck-Cutchogue athletic fund.
Flower sale – proceeds to benefit our synagogue school
San Simeon visit – assist in afternoon tea
Audobon Society – build bird houses
Food Drive
Erect Piping Plover Enclosures

Day: Monday 3:15 – 6:00 P.M. Class times vary according to age group

September 18 – First Day of Class – Field Study/Cornell Cooperative Extension
September 28 – Decorate Sukkah and pizza party

October
Monday 1 – Class
8– NO CLASS –{Columbus Day} School Closed
15 – Class
22 – Class
29 – Class

November
5 – Class
Friday 9 – Family Shabbat Dinner
12 – NO CLASS
19 – NO CLASS
26– Class

December
3– Class – [Chanukah Party]
10– Class
17– Class
24 – NO CLASS {Winter Recess}
31 – NO CLASS {Winter Recess}

January
7 – Class
14 – Class [Audobon Society-Bird Houses]
21 - NO CLASS {Martin Luther King Jr. Day}
28 – Class [Tu B’Shevat Seder]

February
4 – Class
11 – Class
18 – NO CLASS – {Mid Winter Recess}
25 – Class

March
3 – Class
10 – Class
17 – Class
24 –NO CLASS – {Easter Recess}
31–Class

April
7 – Class
14 – Class
21 –NO CLASS – {Spring Recess}
28 –NO CLASS – {Easter Recess}

May 
5 – Class
12 – Last Day of Class Audobon Society (nature/beach walk, plant tree, pizza party

Key:

{} = School Holiday