Education
Religious School • KM Kids • B’nai Mitzvah • Adult Studies • Jewish Resources
Come and do a Mitzvah. “Mitzvah Day” morning.
Join our students, families and friends with Ohr L’Olam
(Light to the World) Social Action projects at KM.
Experience our exciting educational programs:
NEW Toddler, KM Kids, Religious School and High School
(8th-12th Grade) kick-off programs all beginning in August!
Open to the entire community.
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WELCOME! BROUKHIM HABAAIM! FROM NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SHARONE WEIZMAN
Dear Parents,
It has been wonderful getting to know you and your children! I cannot thank our Education Committee, parent volunteers, and faculty enough for helping us get off to such a fantastic start!
Our halls are filled with your children’s laughter and smiles; I’m looking very forward to getting to know each and every one of them on a more personal level as the year progresses. We are very proud of our devoted and qualified teachers who allow our children to thrive in a loving and caring environment. Each and every one of our teachers is available to communicate with you regarding your children and their specific needs.
I would like to thank Manny Baker, our VP of Education, and Valerie Zim and Heather Moses who head up our Religious School Education Committee. Each of them plays a monumental role in all of our school’s efforts. I would also like to thank Masha Savitz, our Religious School Vice Principal, for her continued hard work and commitment. Finally, I would like to thank our dedicated Rabbi and Cantor who are always ready to meet the needs of our families. As a result of this committed team, I know we will be able to provide our students with all the wonderful activities and programs planned for the year.
Because we care about our families, we will try to be sensitive to your needs and desires by encouraging parent involvement, support and feedback. We greatly encourage our parents to join our Religious School Education Committee. It is as partners that we will be successful in instilling a love of Judaism for our children.
Planning Ahead:
- Please mark your calendars for our Mid-Year Parent/Teacher Conferences on Sunday, February 17th. This morning is designed to allow our parents the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher individually in order to review their child’s progress, behavior and accomplishments.
- Sunday Family Programs: Sunday, Dec. 2nd, Sunday, February 3rd, Sunday, April 14th, Sunday, June 2nd
- Shabbat Services: Friday, May 3rd (2nd-5th Grade) and Saturday, June1st (6th-7th Grade)
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s Jewish Education and for welcoming me aboard! We hope that you find this Back-To-School packet comprehensive and beneficial. I plan on devoting myself to our children and their Jewish Education, promising a year of fun, meaningful and wonderful new beginnings!
B’shalom,
Sharone Weizman, M.Ed.
Director of Education
Kehillat Ma’arav
eddirector@km-synagogue.org
(310) 829-0566
ROSTER
Rabbi: Michael Gotlieb
Director of Education: Sharone Weizman, M.A. Ed
Vice Principal: Masha Savitz
Phone: (310) 829-0566
Email: eddirector@km-synagogue.org
Address: 1715 21st Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
SCHEDULE:
KM Kids (2-4yrs): Thursday, 2-3pm
K-1st Grade: Tuesday, 4:00-6:00pm
2nd-7th Grade: Tuesday, 3:45-6:30pm
2nd-7th Grade: 1 Sunday a month, 9:00-12:30pm
3rd-7th Grade: 1 Saturday a month, 10:30-12:00p.m.
Family/Holiday Programs: Rotating Sunday months
Ask The Rabbi Time
Rotating Sunday programs with Rabbi Gotlieb
2nd–7th Grade: Time (TBD)
DOWNLOADS
2012-2013 (5773) Kehillat Ma’arav Parent Back-To-School Orientation Packet
KM Religious School 2012-2013/5773 Brochure
Mission and Vision for KM Religious School
The KM Religious School vision is to expand the mind and open the soul, endowing each child with a passion for lifelong learning, and a fundamental appreciation of what it means to be Jewish in today’s world, affording students the opportunity to study God, Torah, Israel, Mitzvot, Jewish holidays, culture and history. The process of being a lifelong learner is essential for the survival of the Jewish people. Our KM Religious School is committed to its students and families to develop the love of Jewish learning not only as a student, but also as a Jewish adult. It will address the ideas of family education and bridging the gap between school, home, and society by providing immeasurable commitment to family education and lifelong learning.
We believe that our students should begin their Jewish education in Pre-K and remain in school through Confirmation and Hebrew High School. Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah does not mark the conclusion of one’s studies, rather it indicates acceptance of the adult responsibility of continued study. That is why we are developing an Experiential HS Program (Teen Nisayon) at KM this year.
Our KM Religious School will provide a safe place for kids, a sense of belonging and community, and innovative learning styles including curriculum that synthesizes the arts, affective and cognitive ideas, as well as informal and formal experiences. Students will be taught the richness and beauty of their diverse Jewish heritage, traditions, and Hebrew language through prayer and basic conversational Hebrew. Each student will grow to understand and appreciate his or her Jewish identity, culture, religion, heritage and sense of self within a larger Jewish community.
Staff
Director of Education Sharone Weizman
Ms. Sharone Weizman has received her M.A. in Education, B. Lit in Hebrew Letters, and BA in Jewish Studies, from the University of Judaism (AJU) in Los Angeles, CA., where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. Ms. Weizman has over 18 years experience as a Jewish educator in both formal and informal settings, including: director of education, education director, school administrator, teacher, curriculum developer, youth group director and advisor, family and adult educator, summer camp/retreat leader and counselor. She has an extensive knowledge of Judaism including prayer, history, Torah and Israel, and speaks Hebrew fluently. She places a strong emphasis on active learning techniques and experiential education for the school’s curriculum and programming because she believes it is through interactive experiences that positive Jewish memories are formed.
Vice Principal Masha Savitz
With 25+ years of experience as a Jewish educator, Masha has a Masters in Rabbinic studies from the University of Judaism (AJU) and a BFA in art from BU; she combines creativity and Torah learning. Masha has published Kabbalah curriculum with Torah Aura, and is currently involved in media projects which she is eager to involve the KM school and community.
Family Education
All parents are encouraged to get involved in family education because we believe that through cooperation, family supporting school and school supporting family, we can teach our children that Jewish living is an important part of their lives. Because we care about our families, we will try to be sensitive to your needs and desires by encouraging parent involvement, support and feedback. We offer a variety of grade-level Family Holiday programs, Shabbat dinners and lunches. Our Sunday morning bi-monthly programming will focus on Family Education. These informal educational experiences engage the entire family in lifelong learning.
Curriculum
KM Religious School is guided by a traditional, yet progressive curriculum. Our teachers use the most modern and time-tested techniques in classroom management and curriculum presentation for our Kindergarten through 7th Grade students.
Our Spiral Curriculum, selected Core Topics, are reintroduced at deeper cognitive levels as students advance to higher grades. These topics focus on Hebrew literacy and conversational Hebrew, Jewish text study, Jewish history, God, Israel, Mitzvot and holidays. Our textbooks are carefully selected each year to augment and enhance our curriculum and to engage our students.
We integrate informal learning with formal education at all grade levels, including music and art activities and family educational programs. Our KM Religious School has been developed to assist our children in becoming more knowledgeable about their Jewish heritage in a fun and supportive environment. Our goal is that each of our students is proud of his or her Jewish identity.
KM Kids: (2-4yrs)
Reaching out to the youngest members of our community; each week we create a Shabbat and holiday celebration with songs, stories and art projects that are engaging and fun!
K-1st Grade:
Students are introduced to Judaism as a way of life through fun, interactive and engaging age appropriate activities, which are enhanced by music, arts and crafts and games, all combining to bring Hebrew, Bible stories and holidays to life.
Religious School: (2nd-7th Grade)
Our unique pod system allows for instruction in three academic areas by teacher specialists. Pods include Hebrew language, both spoken and written, Prayer/Songs and Judaica; including, Bible, Israel, God, Values, Jewish holidays and Jewish lifecycle.
Hebrew Tutoring Program
Students in 4th-7th Grade who need assistance in mastering Hebrew and Tefillah are invited to an additional class being offered on Thursdays. This class will be offered at differentiated learning instruction to meet the needs of each learner.
B’nai Mitzvah Preparation
Students prepare weekly for 10 months with a B’nai Mitzvah tutor, mastering all of the appropriate blessings. The last 3 months of their training will be individualized with Cantor Cohen. Finally, family sessions with Rabbi Gotlieb will help students focus candidates’ D’var Torah/speech.
Trope Program
This year we are offering a new program for our 6th and 7th graders who have an interest in learning Trope. This lifelong skill will help our students to master their B’nai mitzvah experience and provide them with Torah chanting skills for the rest of their lives.
Tuesday Evening Services
Parents are invited to attend Tuesday evening services during RS with their children in Grades 3-7. We offer interactive services with our Madrichim and students in each grade leading the prayers. We often stop to discuss the prayers and their relevance in the service. Every other week we begin with either a story or lesson on the weekly Torah portion. Don’t miss out on these engaging family experiences!
Sunday Morning Shacharit Services
Our families and students will pray together as a Kehilla (community) once a month on Sunday mornings. These enriching interactive Shacharit services will include prayer, song, Torah Study and morning rituals.
Camp Ramah – Shabbaton
Students in grades 4-7 will also have a fantastic Shabbaton experience at Camp Ramah in Ojai, where sports, hikes, and activities take place alongside prayer services and discussions as part of our school enrollment.
Shabbat Programming
Tot Shabbat: 11am-12pm, Ages 3-7
This wonderful program introduces children to Shabbat rituals and songs with activities designed especially for our youngest congregants. Arts and crafts, stories and prayer round out the children’s activities including a visit to the main Sanctuary to march with stuffed Torahs!
Shabbat Club: 11am-12pm, Grades 3-7 (bi-weekly)
This fantastic program strengthens prayer skills and offers dynamic discussions on compelling Jewish topics relevant to older students. Discussion, debate and ice cream are always included with Torah study.
Shabbat Unplugged: 10:30am-12pm, Grades 3-7 (bi-weekly)
Shabbat is the time to unplug yourself from your daily routine. We will “plug” a mystery guest for our new Shabbat Unplugged program. Whether you like music, drama or debate, Shabbat Unplugged will have something engaging for everyone with sweets to welcome Shabbat!
Religious School Students who attend one Shabbat a month or 8 total for the school year, will be invited to a Mid-Year and End-of-the-Year Ice Cream Sundae Party, as well as an End-of-the-Year Field Trip.
The benefits your child will gain from attending these programs are immeasurable! To name a few: making friends that may not be in their regular Religious School classes, achieving an overall mastery of the prayers which they need in order to advance, and the benefit of fulfilling the Mitzvah of Avodah (worship).
Tikkun Olam
Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world, is a fundamental concept in Judaism. Our students are involved in many Tikkun Olam projects throughout the year. Each Grade will participate in an enriching Tikkun Olam Program both at KM and in the Greater community.
K-1st Grades: Winter needs and Hanukkah toy collection drive.
2nd-3rd Grades: Book collection – Collecting books and educational materials for the burgeoning Jewish community in the Ukraine which is reestablishing itself after half a century of Nazi, then communist occupation.
4th-5th Grades: Will be involved in the campaign to raise money to help Israeli children access supplementary religious education missing in the school system, headed by KMs longtime friend, Rabbi David Golinkin, President and Rector of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Israel. He is a major authority in the Masorti (Conservative) movement in Israel.
6th-7th Grade: Through understanding and internalizing the lessons of the Holocaust, students will have a chance to actively participate in addressing a current holocaust happening in China to people persecuted for their beliefs, Falun Gong. This will be a powerful addition to our 7th Grade and B’nai Mitzvah program.
School-Wide: On Purim, the entire school will sort food at the food pantry as a way of fulfilling the Purim commandment found in the Megillah of sending gifts to the poor.
We will join the synagogue community and the larger LA community to fight genocide in the JWW day “The walk to end Genocide”.
Kadima and USY
These Youth Group opportunities provide a chance for students to meet, interact and have fun with one another at AWESOME monthly activities and events. Our activities this year will include an array of fun social events such as: weekend retreats, karaoke, dances, pool parties, amusement parks, limo scavenger hunt, kinusim, SATO – Social Action Tikkun Olam, visit to Sky High Sports and other activity centers, and much more!
There are no additional membership fees for KM Religious School students. However, each event will require a small fee to cover costs and entrance fees. Feel free to come out to try a few events or if you enjoy it, which we are sure you will, ALL of the events! We look forward to seeing everyone!
Kadima: (Grades 4-6)
JR. USY (Grades 7-8)
Sr. USY (Grades 9-12)
Contact Information: Cindy Roth (Kadima & USY Youth Director)
310-829-0566 or e-mail to cdrxla@aol.com
KEHILLAT MA’ARAV RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR 2012/2013 (5773)
August 2012
26 Sun First Day Religious School (2-7, 2:30pm – 5:30pm)
28 Tues First Tuesday Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
September 2012
1 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
4 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
8 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
11 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
KM Café 6:30 pm
15 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
18 Tues NO CLASSES – Rosh Hashanah Services at the Olympic Collection
22 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
25 Tues NO CLASSES – Kol Nidre at the Olympic Collection
29 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
October 2012
2 Tues No classes – Sukkot Services at KM
6 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
7 Sun FAMILY PROGRAM Back-To-School Parent and Student Program (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm) KM Café lunch in the Sukkah
9 Tues NO CLASSES – Simchat Torah services at KM
13 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
16 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
20 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
23 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
27 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
30 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
November 2012
3 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
4 Sun Religious School (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm)
6 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
10 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
11 Sun BJE Educators Conference
13 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
KM Café 6:30 pm
17 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
20 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
24 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
27 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
December 2012
1 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
2 Sun FAMILY PROGRAM Religious School (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm)
4 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
8 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
11 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
KM Café 6:30pm
15 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
18 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
22 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
25 Tues NO CLASSES – winter break
29 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
January 2013
1 Tues NO CLASSES – winter break
5 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
8 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
12 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
13 Sun Religious School (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm)
15 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
Km Café 6:30 pm
19 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
22 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
25 Fri-Sun Camp Ramah weekend (to be confirmed)
26 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
29 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
February 2013
2 Sat Shabbat Club (11:00- noon)
3 Sun FAMILY PROGRAM Religious School (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm)
5 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
9 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
12 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
Km Café 6:30 pm
16 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
17 Sun Parent/Teacher Parent Conferences
19 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
23 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
26 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
March 2013
2 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
3 Sun Religious School (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm)
5 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
9 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
12 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
KM Café 6:30 pm
16 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
19 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
23 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
26 Tues NO CLASSES – Spring break, 2nd night community Seder
30 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
April 2013
2 Tues NO CLASSES – Spring break
6 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon
9 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
13 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
14 Sun Family Religious School participation at Jewish World Watch Walk, (loc TBD)
16 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
KM Café 6:30 pm
20 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
23 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
30 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
27 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
May 2013
3 Fri 2nd-5th Grade Shabbat Dinner and Services
4 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
5 Sun Big Sunday – Religious School (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm)
7 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
11 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
14 Tues NO CLASSES – Shavuot
18 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
21 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
25 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
28 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
June 2013
1 Sat 6th-7th Grade Shabbat Services and Lunch and Learn
2 Sun FAMILY PROGRAM Religious School (2-7, 9am – 12:30pm)
KM Café
4 Tues Religious School (K/1 4pm-6 pm, 2-7 3:45pm – 6:30pm)
8 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
15 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
22 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
29 Sat Shabbat Unplugged (10:30am – noon)
