Educate our youth and empower our families to develop a strong Jewish identity and a love of Judaism and to participate in attaining peace and well-being for our world, from generation to generation.

What do we mean by educate?
The primary purpose of the Jewish Education Center is to teach children foundational knowledge about Jewish holidays, history, ritual proficiency, Hebrew language, life cycle events, historic and contemporary Jewish issues and Israel. The Jewish Education Center is a partner with parents.

What does "empower" mean?
Jewish education is truly a community-wide endeavor with Jewish Education Center attendance only one component. Family involvement and participation are essential elements for an effective Jewish education. Bet Shira Jewish Education Center wants to empower families, by giving them tools and opportunities, to actively participate in a way that would supplement and enhance our children's Jewish education.

What is a strong Jewish identity?
We want our children to internalize Jewish values so they live a life of "derech eretz" - the right way. Our children should feel at home in the synagogue and in the Jewish Community and be knowledgeable about the holidays, customs and life-cycle rituals. We want to instill a life-long desire to carry on the traditions themselves into the next generation.

What do we mean by a "love" of Judaism?
Love is defined as an intense and passionate feeling, something that elicits deep interest and enthusiasm. Love is the emotion we want our kids to feel about their religion and heritage. We want them to be proud about being Jewish, to inspire them to create a personal relationship with God and to give them the knowledge and experience needed to think critically and create their own personal meaning (midrash) for Jewish traditions.

What exactly is participating to attain peace and well-being for our world?
One of the tenets in Judaism is "repairing the world" - Tikkun Olam. Beyond Tikkun Olam we want to instill in our children a desire to take actions to attain peace and promote tolerance both locally and internationally, with an eye to Israel and other Jewish communities. Our children also need to be concerned about the "well being" of our world. After God created humans in the Garden of Eden God told them: "All that I have created, I have created for you. Therefore, be ever-mindful. Do not abuse or desolate My world. For if you abuse or desolate it, there is no one to repair it after you." (Ecclesiates Rabbah 7:28.)

Why is generation to generation important?
There is a Jewish proverb: Whoever teaches their children teaches not only their child, but also their child's child and so on to the end of generations. As our children learn, we as parents learn together with them. As we teach our children we are teaching future generations.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Bet Shira Jewish Education Center will have a “living” curriculum and multi-faceted communication and programming.

The primary purpose of the Jewish Education Center is to educate our students, enriching them through study and shared living of:

• Jewish Holidays
• Jewish History
• Ritual Proficiency
• Hebrew Language
• Lifecycle Events
• Historic and Contemporary Jewish Issues
• Israel
• Jewish Culture (Music, Dance, Art)

What will a “living” curriculum include?
Creating a “living” curriculum ensures the subject content is substantive, flexible, vibrant and experiential. The curriculum will evolve, in a purposeful way, to meet the developmental levels of the participating students and families. When appropriate, teaching will be interactive, imparted through practical experience (i.e. “living it”) and leverage new technology. By integrating traditional textbook learning with “living” Judaism, we will spark the spirit and love of Judaism in our children and families.

How will the school provide “multi-faceted communication and programming”?
Beyond providing a solid Jewish education in the fundamentals, the Jewish Education Center will also function as a hub, to disseminate through a rich variety of communication vehicles (e-mails, flyers, mailings, newsletters, web site) and programming (holiday celebrations, services) information and tools to families:

• Promoting at-home celebration of Judaism including Shabbat, holidays, music, books and food.
• Encouraging participation in youth group programs and social activities, locally, regionally and internationally.
• Disseminating information about opportunities such as Jewish summer camps, Israel travel, and study.