Welcome to NTHC Religious School The teachers, the Rabbi, and the Madrichot (TAs) at the NTHC Religious School are devoted and dedicated to nurturing our children in an engaging Jewish environment and building a community of Jewish families. The school welcomes children from Kindergarten all the way through their B’nai Mitzvah journey and beyond. We divide our classes into three groups: K-2nd grades are our Garinim, Hebrew for seeds; 3rd-5th grades are our Alim, Hebrew for leaves; 6th-7th grades are our Anafim, Hebrew for branches. Together all the classes form an Etz Chaim, Hebrew for Tree of Life. During school, we explore how to live in the world as a mensch, a good and ethical person, through teachings in the Torah, class discussions, Jewish holidays and learning prayers through speaking and reading Hebrew. Our Madrichot, returning post B’nai Mitzvah students, help us in the school and serve as good role models for the students. Religious School meets on Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00 pm from September 10, 2013 though May 20, 2014. New this year will be two Family Education Days: Global Jewish Learning Day on Saturday, November 17 and Saturday, April 26. We are grateful for our parents, who are vital to our success, through their consistent participation. Together, we share monthly Family Shabbat dinners and Holiday programs for the children (the public is also invited to join) at Sukkot, Chanukah, Tu B’Shvat, Purim, Passover, Yom HaShoah, Yom HaAzmut, Shavuot, and, on the last day of the year, we celebrate with Review-Games Day! Our Family Shabbat service, the second Tuesday of the month, encourages learning, exploration, and participation from the children and an engaging story from the rabbi. NTHC also offers a program for our youngest children, the Torah Tots. We are also developing a program for our post B’nai Mitzvah youth through B’nai Brith Youth Organization (BBYO), led by the students themselves. The NTHC Education Committee, a group of volunteers with their hearts in Jewish education for children and adults, directs the Religious School. We welcome, and still need, parents on our Education Committee to provide an essential perspective. Our Religious School forms are available on line at www.TahoeTemple.org All forms are required, and due, along with tuition, on or before the first day of school, Tuesday, September 10. We enjoy all being together at our school and learning about being a Jewish Mensch! Please contact us at Education@TahoeTemple.org if you’d like to be part of our learning community, serve on our Education Committee, or if you have any questions. Important Dates: Saturday, July 13: Anna Kates is called to the Bima as a Bat Mitzvah at 10:30 AM. We are so proud of Anna and all she has accomplished. Her day is sure to be spectacular. Saturday, July 13: Kinder and Kugel Or Babies and Bagels Or Torah Tots? Help us find the appropriate name! Our goal is for children to play, parents to schmooze and we can design the program we want at 4 PM, the home of Jim and Caroline Kaplan. RSVP for address- Education@TahoeTemple.org Tuesday, August 6: Education Committee Meeting, 6PM at the Temple Thursday, September 5, 2:30 pm: Rosh Hashanah Services specific for pre-readers. Of course our children are welcome at all services. Tuesday September 10: First Day of Religious School and Tashlich at the Lake. All forms and tuition are due. Brief Parent meeting & helper sign ups. Saturday, September 14, 2:30 pm: Yom Kippur Services specific for pre-readers. Friday September 20: Starting at 6 pm celebrate Sukkot with a candle lighting and potluck dinner in the Sukkah and Services at 7PM Friday September 27: a Special Family Shabbat and Simchat Torah Service. Starting at 6 PM light candles and share dinner. Services at 7PM celebrate Simchat Torah where, if we have enough in attendance, we will unroll the entire Torah scroll and rewind it! It is an event all its own. Friday, October 11, Family Shabbat: Starting at 6 PM, lighting candles and then dinner at 6 pm, hosted by Religious School families. Services at 7PM