Shalom, y’all!
We are all thrilled to lead the Congregation Etz Chaim community as Religious School Directors for the 2015-2016 school year. We look forward to another fantastic school year educating our children about Judaism, Israel, and Hebrew. And this year we will be making a few changes – from the Religious School leaders to the curriculum and class time!
Religious school will continue to be located at First Christian Church (807 SE 14 th St, Bentonville) but this year we will be changing the time – it will now be from 10a-12noon. Families please join us for Havdalah and announcements right at 10. We’ll form a carpool line at noon in the back of the church for you to pick up your kids. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Jenny.
Torah Tots will also continue this year for Parents and children ages 18 months through pre-K.
Classes will be held once a month beginning at 10:15 (after announcements).
In addition to Sunday Religious School, beginning in 5th grade, students are required to attend a
Wednesday Hebrew program that is devoted entirely to Hebrew studies. Students will continue in the Wednesday Hebrew program right up until the time of Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
The Hebrew program meets Wednesdays from 6-7:15pm at Rabbi Rob's office, 812, SW
Raintree Lane, Suite 22, Bentonville, AR 72712.
Similar to the past, we will have a parent (“Mensch of the Week) each week to assist with snack.
Parents will not be required to stay for the whole class but will need to set up the snack table when they arrive at the beginning of school. We will send out the parent schedule before school begins.
Please fill out the enclosed enrollment and medical release forms and return them to Jenny (mail or email) by August 8. [5700 S 45 th St, Rogers, AR 72758] The first four pages are for your reference and yours to keep. It is important to send these forms in a timely manner so we can be fully prepared for our students on our first day – Sunday, August 23.
Please feel free to contact Jenny with any administrative questions, comments or concerns and Paul
Stuckey with any program questions, comments or concerns. We look forward to continuing our work together on one of the most important responsibilities of our Congregation – the Jewish education of our children.
Best,
Jenny Max, Administrative Director ( jenny.max@hotmail.com
/ 952.807.6748)
Carol Stuckey, Program Co-Director ( cstuckeycec@gmail.com
/ 479.381.5862)
Paul Stuckey, Program Co-Director ( p.stuckey1196@gmail.com
/ 479.381.5872)
Rabbi Rob Lennick, Religious School Consultant ( rabbirob94@aol.com
/ 484.707.0047)

th
About the Curriculum
We utilize the rich educational services of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL).
The ISJL is a non-denominational umbrella institution serving southern Jewish communities, many without
Rabbis or professional Jewish educators.
The curriculum is designed for communities like our own, where our teachers are committed lay leaders. We are full of enthusiasm and drive to instill a strong sense of Jewish identity, knowledge and skill in our children!
Content areas which will be studied include; Hebrew, prayer, celebration of Jewish Holidays, G-D, Torah,
Israel, Jewish values, history and culture. Each week has a prepared lesson for the grade(s) being taught. The curriculum is "spiraled," in that students will revisit content areas in various degrees at different grade levels.
NEW Wednesday Class
The new Wednesday class is devoted entirely to Hebrew studies. Students will continue in the Wednesday
Hebrew program right up until the time of Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
The program has two components:
1) A combined fifth and sixth grade class will be taught by Mr. Bob Meyerson.
2) A pre-b'nai mitzvah class will be taught by Rabbi Lennick.
12 months prior to a planned bar/bat mitzvah, students will move from the 5th/6th grade combined class to the pre-b'nai mitzvah class.
(In addition to the Wednesday class, six months prior to a planned bar/bat mitzvah, students then begin individual preparation with Rabbi Rob. The schedule for these sessions are arranged individually with each family.)
Parent Involvement & "Mensch of the Week"
In order for our religious school to thrive, we count on the volunteer participation of our parents and congregants. As in years past, a Parent will be assigned to provide a snack each week for the kids. The responsibilities include bringing and setting up a snack and beverage (parents will not be required to stay for the duration of school this year). Please plan to arrive by the beginning of the school day and check in with Carol or Paul Stuckey before leaving.
Please help our students succeed by reinforcing what the children are learning in class. Ask your student about their day, what was special, what they remember, etc. Practice prayers together, read teacher notes and emails together and help to reinforce what students are learning in the classroom. If you’d like assistance or resources for at-home use, please ask your child’s teacher or the Religious School director.

Student Expectations
We want the Etz Chaim religious school experience to be a positive one for your family. This should be a place of learning, friendship and fun. We expect that your children will respect the teachers, fellow students and the synagogue itself. Students will be provided with books and other materials. We ask that all books that are sent home for homework be returned each week. Lost books are the responsibility of the student and parents. We would ask that you buy the replacement on your own. It is imperative that your child reviews what was learned in class, especially the Hebrew, so they are fully prepared for class each week.
Students need to come to each class prepared to learn. It is important that all books and study material be brought to school every Sunday.
Arrival and Departure
If you arrive early, please do not leave your child alone outside the building. Unless it is your week for bringing snacks, we kindly ask that you please exit the building so our students can begin learning. Due to our limited space we want to keep things quiet. Each week, we will have a short all-school gathering at the beginning of class only, that you are encouraged to join.
No children will be dismissed outside on their own due to safety and liability.
Contact Numbers
If you need to reach us on Sunday morning, please call Paul Stuckey cell: (479) 381.5872. Any mid-week inquiries can be directed to Jenny on her cell or via email: 952.807.6748 / jenny.max@hotmail.com.
2015-2016 Calendar
Sunday Wednesday
August 23 - First day Religious School August 26 - No mid-week school
August 30
September 6 - No school, Labor Day weekend
September 13
September 20 - Torah Tots (Jewish calendar + Rosh
Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah), Music + all-school program
September 27 - Sukkot potluck after RS, Sukkot begins at sundown
(October 2 - Consecration)
October 4 - Simchat Torah, Shemini Atzeret, Sukkot ends
October 11 - No School, Columbus Day weekend
October 18 - Torah Tots (Shabbat, Hebrew Alefbet), Music
+ all-school program
October 25
November 1
September 2 - No mid-week school
September 9 - First day mid-week school
September 16
September 23
September 30
October 7
October 14
October 21
October 28
November 4

November 8
November 15- Torah Tots (Hanukkah), Music
November 22 - No school, Thanksgiving
November 29 - No school, Thanksgiving
December 6
November 11
November 18
November 25 - No mid-week school, Thanksgiving
December 3
December 10
December 13 - Torah Tots (Tikkun Olam, Mitzvot), Music + all-school program
December 17
December 21 - No school, winter break
December 28 - No school, winter break
December 24 - No mid-week school, winter break
December 31 - No mid-week school, winter break
January 3
January 10 - Torah Tots (Tu B’Shevat), Music + all-school program
January 6
January 13
January 17 - No school, MLK Day
January 24
January 31
February 7
February 14 - No school, President’s Day
February 21 - Torah Tots (TBD), Music + all-school program
May 15 - Torah Tots (Israel), Music + all-school program
May 22 - Last day Religious School
January 20
January 27
February 3
February 10
February 17
February 24
February 28
March 6
March 2
March 9
March 13 - Torah Tots (Purim), Music + all-school program March 16
March 20 - No school, Spring Break March 23 - No mid-week school, spring break
March 27 - No school, Spring Break
April 3
April 10 - Torah Tots (Passover)
April 17
March 30
April 6
April 13
April 20
April 24 - No school, Passover
May 1 - Teacher Appreciation week May 2-6
May 8 - No school, Mother’s Day
April 27 - No mid-week school, Passover
May 4
May 11
May 18 - Last day mid-week school

Student #1
Student’s First Name
Street address
Last Name Nickname
City / State / Zip
Student’s Hebrew Name
Birthdate Age as of 9/1/15 Gender Child’s grade level Home Phone
Allergies to Medications: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Food allergies: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please note any / all conditions for which your child is currently receiving treatment and any other significant medical information:
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Student #2
Student’s First Name
Street address
Last Name Nickname
City / State / Zip
Student’s Hebrew Name
Birthdate Age as of 9/1/15 Gender Child’s grade level Home Phone
Allergies to Medications: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Food allergies: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please note any / all conditions for which your child is currently receiving treatment and any other significant medical information:
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Student #3
Student’s First Name
Street address
Last Name Nickname
City / State / Zip
Student’s Hebrew Name
Birthdate Age as of 9/1/15 Gender Child’s grade level Home Phone
Allergies to medications: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Food allergies: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please note any / all conditions for which your child is currently receiving treatment and any other significant medical information:
_________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Parent 1: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name Home phone (if different from student) Cell phone Email address
Street address (if different from student) City / State / Zip
Parent 2: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name Home phone (if different from student) Cell phone Email address
Street address (if different from student) City / State / Zip
EMERGENCY CONTACT (other than parent)
Contact #1 Name/Phone/Relationship: _____________________________________________________________________
Contact #2 Name/Phone/Relationship: _____________________________________________________________________
Contact #3 Name/Phone/Relationship: _____________________________________________________________________
Physician’s Name/Phone: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Health Insurance: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Carrier Group / Policy # Claims/Authorization Phone
I understand and agree that in case of an emergency or injury to the above enrolled child, such action will be taken and medical treatment administered as deemed necessary by the school or its employees. I hereby release the school, its employees and agents from any claim or liability with respect to the same. I give the school such authorization that permits any person or hospital to provide such treatment to my child as may be advisable in the circumstances, and this shall be sufficient authority for doing so.
Parent’s Signature: ______________________________________________________________ Date: _______________________
Photographic release: I give permission for my child’s photo to be posted on the Congregation Etz
Chaim website, to be included in weekly parent updates, and/or to be printed in the community bulletin or other public materials. (please initial). YES ___________________ NO___________________
Please indicate if you would be willing to be listed as an “on-call” substitute teacher. We will try our best to contact you in advance but we are looking for some volunteers that can step in for any last minute needs. YES_____________ NO__________________