Religious School

Elementary School (Pre-K – Grade 5)

Sundays, 9:30AM-12:15PM*

*Families are invited to attend Mishpacha Minyan from 9:30-10:15AM

Beth Israel Religious School is for students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 5. The school calendar closely matches with the Portland Public School calendar, beginning in September and ending in May.

Specialty Classes and Activities 

Our Religious School is an arts integrated program. Each week, students attend specialty sessions for music, dance, drama and visual arts.

Upper Elementary: Virtual Hebrew

On top of their regular Sunday School sessions, 3^rd-5^th Grade students will also meet with their Hebrew teachers virtually for 30 minutes during the week. These times are based off comfort and Hebrew skill level that is assessed at the beginning of the school year.

If your student is new to our classes, this is just fine! Our faculty is prepared for all levels and type of learning. Connect with our Education Coordinator for more information.

Our Religious School Classes – Grade by Grade

Gan – Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Our Jewish world is brought to the classroom through a hands-on approach to synagogue life.

• Family traditions and holiday celebrations
• Arts and crafts, cooking, dance, music, drama and play

Kitah Alef – Grade 1

Extends the study of who the people are in the Temple, how and what we celebrate.

• Explore the meaning of the holidays and the ritual items used in our Jewish world.
• Children are blessed by the clergy during a Consecration Ceremony/Simchat Torah which includes a live Klezmer band and dancing.
• Family Program: Wimpel Making. Parents and students create a beautiful wimpel that is displayed on the bimah and then kept as a treasured ritual item to be used for future life cycle events.

Did you know? The Union for Reform Judaism CHAI Curriculum is designed to facilitate lifelong Jewish learning. It focuses classroom learning on 3 strands: Torah, Avodah (love) and G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness). All of our CBI 2nd through 5th graders learn from this curriculum which brings the home and school together.

Kitah Bet – Grade 2

Students begin developing personal connections and learn about the power of the 3 strands.

• Alef-Bet recognition
• Class Mitzvah Projects

Kitah Gimel – Grade 3

Students refine their own understanding and definition of k’dushah (holiness).

• Begin to understand how ritual objects, symbols, prayer, and behaviors can make moments and places special.
• In grade 3, families may enroll their children in the 2-day Integrated Hebrew Program.
• Family Program: Tour of the Torah (B’nei Mitzvah Date Selection)

Kitah Dalet – Grade 4

Students start to see a direct relationship between being a member of a community and our behaviors.

• The study of the relationship between the People and the Land in the Torah
• Significance and structure of communal prayer
• Family Program: Journey Through the Prayer Book

Kitah Hay – Grade 5

Throughout this year, the theme of Reform Judaism and the power of community will connect the 3 strands.

• The role of the individual in a community, increased sophistication in prayer and connection to Israel
• Learning the wisdom of the prophets
• Family Program: Yom HaShoa/Yom Hazikaron Learning and Family Hike

Middle School: Midrasha & B’nei Mitzvah Program (Grades 6-7)

Sundays, 9:15AM – 12:15PM*

*Middle School Midrasha Learning Service from 10:30-11:00AM

6^th and 7^th grade students get the best of both worlds as they prepare for their upcoming B’nei Mitzvah and learn more about their Jewish identity from Haddi Meyer, CBI Youth Director.

Core Learning Classes focus on applying Jewish values on a larger scale through Mini Mitzvah projects, creating a class Tallit, and visiting the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE).

During the week, students who are preparing for their B’nei Mitzvah have the opportunity to work with one of our Cantor-approved Hebrew Tutors in a Virtual Hebrew session! These virtual sessions are included in your student’s Middle School tuition and comes at no extra cost.  For more information about our Virtual Hebrew sessions, connect with Elisabeth Pierson. 

High School: Midrasha (Grades 8-12)

Sundays, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

8th grade and High School students are ready for the next step on their Jewish Journey, and to begin establishing their leadership within our community. They start their day with lunch and socializing with friends and then break off by grade to explore subjects such as Jewish identity, comparative religions, Jewish history and social justice.

In grades 8-12, there is advanced study of what it means to be on a Jewish Journey and the emergence of becoming a Jewish leader in the community.

• Topics include dealing with social and religious ethics, open discussions with clergy and teachers on political issues and other items of concern to Jewish teenagers today.
• Beginning in 8th grade, students may choose to work as Madrichim (classroom aides) in lower grades to gain valuable background and experience that can be applied to future roles in education. Students are required to complete the Madrichim In Training course led by our Education Director prior to working in the classroom.
  • If your student is interested in working as a Madrichim, connect with Elisabeth Pierson on how to sign up for this training course!
• Religious Action Center’s L’Taken Seminar to Washington D.C. is offered to students 10th grade as well culminating the end of the year with the Confirmation ceremony during the festival of Shavout.
• 11th and 12th grade students are eligible to participate in a trip to the South where they get a taste of southern Jewish life, learn about the Civil Rights Movement and solidify their lasting relationships as well as becoming eligible for scholarships to travel to Israel on teen NFTY trips.
• A beautiful Graduation service created and led by seniors takes place at the end of the grade 12 year.