Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
When will my child have to start going to Bet Sefer 2 days per week?
Our two day a week program starts in third grade (Kitah Gimmel). At this
point the children are very seriously learning to decode Hebrew letters and
words and the two day a week practice and learning is critical to developing
solid readers.
Are parents permitted to attend class?
Yes! We love to have visitors so we can show off our great progress. With
children in Mechina and Alef it is a good idea to check with your child’s
teacher first to make sure that other children in the class won’t be
disrupted.
Will my child have homework?
Students in Kitahs Hay and Vav are expected to master all of the prayers in
their curriculum. Students are expected to practice the prayers
at home so that they can keep up with the class work.
Students in Kitahs Gimmel and Dalet are asked to practice reading Hebrew frequently at home in
order to help them become proficient readers. Feel free to check with your
child’s teacher to understand how you can best support his or her Jewish
learning.
How many youth services does my child have to attend?
Junior Congregation is geared for children in 3rd through 6th grades. There
are 7 services per year and all students who attend at least 5 of them are
invited to an ice cream party at the end of the school year. While
attendance at youth services is not mandatory, it strongly reinforces the
material learned during Bet Sefer classes and helps build community among
our youth. Parents love it too – give it a try!
T’fillat Y’ladim usually meets the first Saturday of the month and is geared for
children in Kindergarten through 2nd grades. Each month there is a focus
on a different Hebrew letter and students are given an opportunity to find that
letter in a real Sefer Torah. There is singing and dancing and story time. A
parent must accompany each child.
When does Bet Sefer meet?
Students in Mechina (Kindergarten) , Alef (1st), and Bet (2nd) attend on
Tuesday afternoons from 4-6 pm. Students in Gimmel (3rd) , Dalet (4th), Hay
(5th) and Vav (6th) attend on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4-6 pm.
Student in Zayin (7th) attend on Thursdays, usually in the afternoons from 4-
6, but 4 times a year, from 6:15-8:15 with their parents.
