Welcome to Bet Shira JEC

It is the goal of the Bet Shira JEC to create the best possible learning environment for every student and family. We work with students and families in identifying a student's learning needs and strive to find the most appropriate environment for every student to learn Hebrew at his or her own learning pace. Our school is designed to provide age appropriate learning for our students and the school program hours are set with this in mind.

Gan - Kitah Bet (Kindergarten - 2nd grade)

Sunday 9:00 a.m. - noon

The program is designed for students ages 5-7 attending grades Kindergarten through Second in the Public Schools. The curriculum introduces students to simple Hebrew prayers and blessings, Holiday and Shabbat traditions and observances, Hebrew letter recognition skills and simple vocabulary, the Synagogue, Mitzvot, Tzedakah, and personal conncetion to Torah. We believe in teaching developmentally appropriate leaning through experiential, hands-on lessons. Students are placed in classes based on their individual learning needs. Arts and crafts, music, school-wide havdallah and special events enhance the classroom learning. A highlight of the 1st grade year is receiving a miniture Torah in conjunction with Simchat Torah. Our K-2 students help lead at least one Friday night Shabbat service.

Kitah Gimmel - Kitah Vav (3rd-6th grade)

Sunday 9:00 a.m. - noon & Wednesday 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Our learning continues with our 3rd-6th grade program. Students grapple with the big questions that reflect their personal understanding and connection to Judaism exploring Torah, Avodah (prayer) and G'milut Chasadim ( "acts of love and kindness"). Students progress from learning Hebrew letters to learning Hebrew prayers, including necessary grammar and roots, and the thematic basis for the prayers. Students in our 3-6 grade program assist in leading at least one Shabbat service. A highlight of our 3rd grade program is Gimmel Consecration where our students receive their siddur. 5th and 6th graders take part in our Tallit and Tefillin program as part of Sunday morning Shacharit. 6th grade students with their parents learn how to adorn the Tallit and Tefillin and enjoy a bagel breakfast each Sunday morning. 3rd-6th grade students participate in Sunday morning havdallah and Wednesday afternoon student led mincha/ma'ariv. Music, arts and crafts, and other school-wide events enhance the program.

Gesher - Bridge (7th-8th grade)

Wednesday (b'nai mitzvah bank - 7th grade) 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m (class).
We recognize that the maturity of 7th-8th grade students require a different educational model.  Through our newly designed Gesher program we create a bridge in the learning between our K-6 program and SDJHS.  Students grapple with how Torah is relevant in their daily lives and develop tools necessary for personal reflection they consider how to define themselves through prayer, and middot (ethics) and tikkun olam.   They study conversational Hebrew in an ulpan setting.  7th grade students participate in B'nai Mitzvah bank with Cantor Kula. South Dade Judaica High School

(9th-12th grade)

Wednesday 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Students in the 9th-12th grade continue their Jewish studies through the community based SDJHS program run by CAJE.  Students have an opportunity to select classes based on their interests and to learn with community experts. Pre-Kiyum (9th)
Our 9th grade students participate in the CAJE convened South Dade Judaica High School program.  Students engage in meaningful Jewish learning with teachers who understand how to connect Jewish topics to real world situations.  In addition to their SDJHS courses they meet periodically with the clergy reinforcing strong Jewish bonds.

Kiyum (10th)

Kiyum is a Hebrew word which means affirmation, observance and survival. Bet Shira Congregation has chosen it as the name for our young adult program that affirms their place among the Jewish people. Towards this end our 10th grade students participate in a number of activities of which STUDY, PRAYER and COMMUNITY are the key components.  Students in the Kiyum program participate in a class trip, as well as lead a culminating service.

College-for-Credit (11th-12th grade)

Our 11th and 12th grade students attend SDJHS college-for-credit classes and mayreceive college credit fromTouro College.  Twelfth graders graduate from the South Dade Judaica High School with a commencement program and receive a gift from Bet Shira's Sisterhood. 

High School Trip (10th - 12th grade)

As part of their Kiyum requirements, students in 10th grade attend a class trip.  New this year, this trip is open to 11th and 12th grade students interested in exploring Judaism outside the classroom with a Jewish travel program.