Hebrew School
Kane Street Hebrew School creates a stimulating and welcoming atmosphere that makes Judaism come alive for children from all types of Jewish backgrounds. We encourage open questioning and strive to help students and their families find their own personal meaning in our rich Jewish traditions.
Our Hebrew School education includes two main components: weekly classes and Shabbat services. We also sponsor family activities such as class dinners and field trips. Students experience Judaism as a living culture and graduate knowing about their heritage and feeling pride in their connection with the Jewish community. We place great emphasis on giving children the knowledge and skills they need to become active participants in Jewish life. Kane Street Synagogue provides an excellent opportunity for children to begin the life-long process of Jewish learning.
Download the Hebrew School Calendar 2009/2010
To reach the Hebrew School office, please contact:
Rabbi Valerie Lieber, Director of Education
vlieber@kanestreet.org
718-875-1550 x 117
Schedule of Classes
Roshanim (3s and 4s) – Alternate Wednesdays 4 – 5:15 PM
Gan (Kindergarten) – Mondays 4-6 PM
Alef, Bet (1st – 2nd Grades) – Wednesday 4 – 6 PM
Gimmel, Dalet, Hey, Vav, Zayin (3rd – 7th Grades) – Monday and Wednesday 4- 6 PM
Bogrim (8th – 11th Grades) – Tuesday 6 – 8:25 PM
Shabbat Attendance
Our students are expected to attend a minimum number of Shabbat services each school year so they may develop competence and experience the joy of celebrating Shabbat as part of a community. Parents are always welcome to join our youth services where they may learn and pray alongside their child. At the end of the school year, the Congregation honors all students who meet their Shabbat requirement at a Shabbat Kiddush. Although we highly encourage attendance at the Kane Street youth services on Saturday morning, we also accept attendance at other Kane Street services or at another synagogue.
The minimum number of Shabbat Youth Services per year for K – 7th grade follows:
K + 1st Grade – 8 services
2nd + 3rd Grade – 12 services
4th, 5th + 6th Grade – 18 services
7th Grade – 22 services
Download the Family Services Flyer 2009/2010
Family Programs
Family education programs are an important part of our Hebrew School curriculum. These voluntary programs offer families the opportunity to engage in Jewish learning and celebration with the greater Kane Street community. All family education programming is open to both our Hebrew School and Jewish Day School families. Most programs take place on Shabbat or Jewish holidays.
Curriculum
During the Hebrew School year, we teach Hebrew, T’fillot (prayers), Tanakh (Bible), Holidays, Jewish History and values, and Israel. Our curriculum is flexible, based on the needs of our students and the strengths of our teachers.
What can you expect during Hebrew School? Walk down the halls of Kane Street Hebrew School, and the first thing you notice is the buzz of activity. Students in our classes are actively engaged in their learning. You might walk into a game of Hebrew Basketball in Kitah Zayin or the Shalom circle in Gan, which welcomes students at the beginning of the day. You could walk into a group of Kitah Dalet students creating a life-size depiction of Goliath in order to gain a better understanding of the text of David fighting Goliath. Or Kitah Bet, singing Mah Tovu while making a tent with their hands to illustrate how this prayer welcomes everyone into the synagogue. You might pass students in the hallway excitedly discussing how many Chug Ivirit minutes they’ve each earned. (Chug Ivirit is our Hebrew reading incentive program)
Quite frequently we hear comments like these from our parents:
“I wish my Hebrew School experience had been like this – my children really enjoy your school.” And from both teachers and parents we hear: “The level of Hebrew reading and understanding of the students is very good – I’m impressed.” “Your classrooms are so active. Everyone is so busy learning.”
Learn about our Philosophy and Curriculum
To Apply
Please contact our educational director to learn more about our Hebrew School or to schedule a meeting and tour. One of the best ways to get to know us and see what our school is like is to come and visit while school is in session. We also hold open houses in September and May. Look in our calendar for upcoming dates.
Annual Tuition
September 2009 – June 2010
Roshanim $400
K – 2nd Grades: $670 for synagogue members: $900 for non-members
3rd – 7th Grades: $995
8th – 11th Grades: $500
A registration fee of $50 for the first child and $25 for each additional child is due in June along with a $200 deposit per child. The remaining tuition is due by the first day of classes.
Non-member children may enroll in our Roshanim and Kindergarten classes. Kane Street Synagogue membership is required for enrollment for all other Hebrew School classes. No one is turned away from Kane Street because of financial constraints. Special fee considerations will be made upon request. If you have any questions concerning fees, please speak with our Educational Director.
Parent Newsletter
Our Parent Shavoun (newsletter) is published on Wednesdays and handed out at dismissal. The Shavoun is your one stop for everything going on at Kane Street Hebrew School. The Parent Shavoun includes:
- Calendar of upcoming events
- Shabbat service schedule
- Hebrew Word of the week
- Websites to visit or books to read
- Fun family activities
- A weekly message from the Director of Education about what is happening in our school
- Torah commentary or other tid-bits of Jewish learning
- Explanations of upcoming events, fundraisers and other things happening in and around Kane Street
Hebrew School Committee
This committee, which reports to the Kane Street Board of Trustees, is composed of parents of Hebrew School students. Committee members hold monthly meetings at which they consult with the educational director on the policies, practices and financial operations of the school. The committee also spearheads fundraising efforts and works to promote the school within the local Jewish community. Current members of the Hebrew School Committee are:
Jenny Breznay (chair): hebrewschoolchair@kanestreet.org
Ingrid Abramovitch
Gordon Baldwin
Rene Rettig
Ariel Krasnow
Jill Rose
Joanne Robinson
Sharon Gordon
Ex-officio
Rabbi Valerie Lieber (Educational Director)
Tracy Makow (Kane Street board)
Rabbi Sam Weintraub
About Our Director
Director of Education
Rabbi Valerie Lieber
vlieber@kanestreet.org
718-875-1550 x 117
Rabbi Valerie Lieber oversees the Hebrew School, Shabbat and Holiday children’s services, Shabbat Club and Family Education programs at Kane Street. Valerie began working with our community in the summer of 2008 and quickly exhibited her strengths as an educator and administrator.
Rabbi Lieber received ordination at Hebrew Union College in 1995 and served as Rabbi-Educator at Temple Beth Ahavath Sholom in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. During her seven years at the Bensonhurst temple she developed engaging Hebrew and Judaic curricula for grades K through 12, innovative family programs and creative services. Since then she served as Rabbi of Temple Israel of Jamaica in Queens for six years where she led the congregation through the Experiment in Congregational Education Re-Imagine program, a national project exploring congregational education. Valerie graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Swarthmore College.