Youth Education

Religious School

Youth education and engagement is a primary focus of CBS.  Our youngest congregants are introduced to Judaism throughout the year, with age appropriate activities such as Tot Shabbats.  Formal religious education starts once children enter kindergarten and all classes offer a low teacher/student ratio. Our experienced religious school educators and clergy develop and present an engaging curriculum.  In fact, unlike many religious school students, ours can’t wait to come and hate to leave!  Our older students work one-on-one with our clergy, who provides customized B’nai Mitzvah and Hebrew training.  In addition, our clergy leads high school students in a confirmation class – providing a level of attention and important interaction that cannot be minimized. We welcome all children, regardless of their skill level, learning style, past Jewish education, or learning challenges.

Congregation Beth Shalom’s Religious School program is a project-based program focused on immersion and experiences. Children who participate in our program will:

• Gain understanding of Jewish culture here and around the world
• Have opportunities to discuss and express what it means to be Jewish in their families and communities
• Be introduced to Hebrew vocabulary, Alef-Bet, and beginning Hebrew language skills
• Explore the Jewish life cycle, Jewish holiday cycle, Jewish calendar
• Be included in Tefillah and the structure and joy of Jewish prayer and celebration
• Explore, discuss, and have opportunities to actively express Jewish values

Some details about our comprehensive youth education program:

Education of our youth is a priority at CBS. The cost of tuition should not deter a child from attending. As such, we have removed a formal fee structure for our Religious School classes for CBS Member Families on a trial
basis. Instead, we are happily accepting any and all donations of any amount at any point in the year.

Our Religious School programs are available to children of CBS members in good standing at no cost. The exception to this is that the first year of Religious School is available to non-CBS members for a fee of $300 per child.

For more information, send an email to religious.school@bethshalomindy.org