Aug 20, 2007
Religious school ready for new year
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Congregation Shir Ami, a reform congregation serving Lower Fairfield and Westchester Counties, offers educational programs for learners of all ages.
“Our goal is to bring the world of Jewish life, culture, history, practice and language to the minds and hearts of our members throughout their lives,” says Cantor Vicki L. Axe, spiritual leader of the congregation and director of education. “We believe that fostering Jewish understanding and knowledge will give people the tools they need to make informed choices for expressing their Jewish identity in the home, in the community, and in the world.”
Students in grades K-6 meet weekly on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mead School in Stamford.
“The curriculum,” explains Debbie Fins, past chairwoman of the Education Team, “combines aspects of Jewish life and values, culture and history integrating Hebrew language, music and prayer.”
Linda Gratt, current chair adds that “For grades K-3, the emphasis is on Jewish life, culture, and holidays. For grades 4-6, the emphasis is on study of prayerbook Hebrew to foster leadership in worship leading towards B’nai Mitzvah studies.”
Darice Bailer, a long time master teacher in synagogue pre-schools, and religious schools, and Barbara Sterling, who also teaches at Bi-Cultural Day School in Stamford, will introduce the younger students to Israeli history and culture in addition to learning about Shabbat and holiday ritual and practice. During the year, they will take a virtual trip to different areas in Israel and learn how children in Israel celebrate Shabbat and holidays.
Grade 4 students will be studying with Noah Axe, a 2004 graduate of the University of Hartford, Hartt School of Music in Jazz Studies. In addition to teaching at Congregation Shir Ami Religious School, Noah teaches private lessons on drums and guitar, and plays percussion with several New York City based bands. 4th grade students will explore life-cycle ritual and customs and how they impact the lives of Jewish families here in the U.S. and in Israel.
Grades 5 and 6 will be taught by Cantor Axe, who lived and worked in Israel for two years during the 1970s, and Gidon Katz. He is originally from a Jewish community in Australia and lived in Israel for 11 years from 1991-2001, where he served in the Israeli Defense Force as Platoon Sergeant for two years, and then served for six years as a Patrol Officer in the Israeli Police Force. The 5th grade will study Jewish heroes in the Bible, in history, and today, and the 6th grade curriculum will focus on Modern Israel, with a look back at Israel in the Bible and in history.
As in years past, students in grades 7-12 will have several educational opportunities to foster strong Jewish values as they learn to participate in the congregational community as well as the community at large. As part of the teen program, SATs — Shir Ami Teens — will meet monthly with their advisors Nancy Kail and Noah Axe for social and educational events with a Jewish spin. This year they will learn about Israel through film, personal interviews, and field trips.
Dahni Nisinzweig, a social worker and dance expert who has been teaching 5th grade in religious schools for the past nine years, will be on hand to work with special needs students as well as teach Israeli folk dancing and share his personal experiences of growing up in Israel. All students, as well as adults will have many opportunities to learn about Israel first hand from interacting with the two young Israeli Emissaries who will be in residence in Greenwich from September through May.
More information is available by calling 921-1001.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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