The Religious School

A rabbinic legend relates how the nations surrounding Israel once asked their philosophers "Can we take on this nation of Israel in battle?" The sages replied, "Go to their synagogues and houses of study. If you come upon children singing in them, you will be unable to take on this nation in battle."

Temple Israel prides itself on a religious school where children's voices are regularly raised in song, prayer, and celebration. Classroom participation is only one small facet of religious school life. Our children gather for holidays and festivals, they lead worship services, sing, dance, create works of art to decorate our halls, and they bring their families into the Temple community.

The primary goal of religious education at Temple Israel is to instill a positive Jewish identity in each of our students. We teach our children, and their families, how to celebrate a Jewish life. At the same time, many of our families include people from other religious traditions. Our staff is sensitive and respectful of the fact that Jewish families often include non-Jewish relatives.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah takes on a special significance in the Temple Israel family. Only one Bar or Bat Mitzvah is celebrated on any given Sabbath morning (though ceremonies such as baby namings, "auf rufs"--or pre-wed- ding blessings-and conversion ceremonies may take place at the same time). Non-Jewish parents and grand- parents who are comfortable participating in our worship services are welcomed to the "bimah" or altar, to take part in this sacred event in their family's life. All children raised and educated as Jews, celebrating the appropriate life-cycle ceremonies and the Jewish festivals and holidays, and adhering to the universal human values of Reform Judaism, will be accepted as Jews, regardless of the heritage of their parents.

Even more significant in our congregation is the unique Reform Jewish ceremony of Confirmation, which takes place at the end of 10th grade, at the Festival of Shavuot. This moving ceremony, which commemorates the giving of the Torah to the children of Israel, allows our young adults to reaffirm their identities and take leadership roles within the congregation.

Religious Education continues on through High School, and is supplemented by Youth Group activities through the National Federation of Temple Youth (the Reform Youth Movement).