New Innovative Education Programming at Congregation Bonai Shalom

 With the hiring of a new director of education, Congregation Bonai Shalom (CBS) is excited to announce that the religious school will launch a new Hebrew language and Jewish heritage curriculum, TaL AM. TaL AM is a program taught in Jewish day schools across the country which will be adapted for the synagogue’s bi-weekly religious school.

According to the TaLAM website,

“The TaL AM program was developed based on the notion that the best learning environment for children is one in which knowledge is acquired through a variety of activities, using each of the five senses. In addition to studying from textbooks, students learn the Hebrew language through music, games and visual aids, developing a keen understanding of Jewish concepts and values. The students’ Hebrew and heritage literacy develops in a gradual and spiraled process, building new ideas and concepts on an expanding foundation of knowledge. The program helps foster Jewish identity by allowing children to explore their Jewish roots and traditions in fun and exciting ways. By making the study of Hebrew and Judaism relevant to the children’s everyday lives, the program enables them to develop a true appreciation of their heritage, and understand the need for continued, lifelong Jewish study.”

CBS Education Director, Esther Benari-Altman says of the program, “I’m very excited to bring TaLAM to Bonai Shalom. This program will enrich our student’s Jewish experience and will develop a strong connection to Judaism and Israel. TaL AM is able to reach and accommodate every learner whatever their style may be.” Administrators and teachers currently working with this curriculum across the country speak to the energy and excitement of all students as the diverse teaching methods reach each student where they are in their learning needs.

The CBS Religious School will continue to meet two days a week, but the school will shift to have different grades meeting different days in order to meet the resource needs for this expansive program. The full school community (Pre-K through B’nai Mitzvah) will meet on Saturdays from 9:30 to 12:30 with expanded Shabbat programming for all levels. Additionally, grade 1 will meet on Tuesday, grades 4-B’nai Mitzvah on Wednesday and grades 2 and 3 on Thursday from 4:10-6:10.

CBS is currently registering new and current families for the fall. For more information about the program, email Esther@bonaishalom.org. To register, visit www.bonaishalom.org.