Experienced educators combine their love of Judaism and learning to nurture Jewish identity through community, tradition, and making a positive impact in this world.
ELLEN GLASSMAN (EDUCATION DIRECTOR):
Growing up, I attended a high school where less than 3% of the student population was Jewish, and I was proud of who I was, how I was raised and what I believed. Pennypack Park Jewish Community Center in Northeast Philadelphia was my second home - my synagogue, and an extension of my family. Synagogue, the B’nai Brith Youth Organization and USY enriched my life, immersing me in prayer and providing me with knowledge, role models, friendships and Jewish pride. I loved everything about going to Hebrew School, except for the fact that they only gave us one cookie at snack time, and the cookie always had a maraschino cherry on top. I vowed that when I had kids of my own, they would attend a Hebrew School where they’d receive a great education and enjoy better snacks. (and I’m pleased to share that they did!)
Teaching is my passion! I believe that it’s important for students to study Torah, connect with Israel, learn prayer, Bible, Hebrew, examine Jewish values and prepare for B’Mitzvah, but equally as important, I want students to explore 'feeling Jewish, doing Jewish and being Jewish"! As the Education Director and a teacher at the Mensch Making and Mini Mensch Academy, my goal is to help build a strong Jewish intergenerational community where students can interact with congregants and feel a part of a synagogue family. I am eager to find opportunities for students to question and connect with G-d. I want to challenge students to learn the Hebrew language and connect the words and melodies to their hearts when they pray. I am excited for them to participate in social action activities, perform Mitzvot and assist in repairing the world. Together, we’ll study Torah and Jewish historians, showing that students have the ability to become leaders, shape the future and make a difference. Through educational and social emotional programming, it is my intention to help students foster their Jewish identity and help them make lasting friendships. (their parents too!)
Please help me nurture and inspire the next generation of future of Jewish students by attending our programs and supporting our religious school!
Email: [email protected]
May 2024
28
9am Mensch Making Academy
10:30am Mini Mensch Academy
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4pm Mensch Making Academy
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No Religious School
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4pm Mensch Making Academy
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10am Bar Mitzvah of Parker Thomas
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Mother's Day
No Religious School
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4pm Mensch Making Academy - Yom Ha'atzmaut Field Day
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6pm Confirmation Dinner
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9am Mensch Making Academy (Last Day of School!)
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4pm Final Faculty Meeting
7pm SATF Meeting
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Memorial Day
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Mensch Making Academy
Judaism comes to life through Congregation Beth El – Ner Tamid’s Religious School!
Through Jewish community, tradition, and values, students will explore actions and values that support being a mensch - a good person, and engage in activities and learning that will help them contribute to their own Jewish identity, contribute to our Beth El - Ner Tamid (CBENT) community, and contribute to the world. In partnership, families, educators, and children will gather, fostering a sense of belonging, inquiry, inclusion, and celebration. Together, we will explore Jewish traditions and culture and learn how to be leaders in both our CBENT community and our greater world.
Our Mensch Making Academy offers a multisensory approach to learning, enabling students to question, explore and experience Judaism firsthand. Hebrew language, prayer, bible, ethics, Jewish holidays, customs, traditions, and history are key components of our program. Learning through the arts, drama, music, crafts, and dance affords students the opportunity to embrace their own learning styles and strengthen their connection to Judaism. Jewish holidays, Bible heroes, the Hebrew alphabet, blessings, and prayers are taught through a lens of being proud of their Jewish identity and being a part of the Jewish community.
Mini Mensch Academy
Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid families are busy juggling careers, kids, financial stressors, and scheduling logistics as well as the emotional well-being of their families. Finding meaningful time to connect with others who have young children can be challenging. As parents and caregivers, we want our children to have opportunities to question, wonder, explore, and connect. Attending our Mini Mensch Academy on Sundays once a month gives everyone the opportunity to connect, inquire about and celebrate Judaism, while singing, dancing, telling stories, crafting, learning about holidays, and more! In addition, our Mini Mensch Academy is involved in Tikkun Olam - repairing the world - and empowering our children to recognize that they can make a difference through acts of kindness and family-centered social action projects.
BMitzvah
Every child’s BMitzvah is a journey that they embark on during their Mensch Making Academy experience. Each child is unique and as a result, BMitzvah reflects and supports the individuality of the student. Together with their parents and extended families, the synagogue community nurtures, develops and prepares students for their acceptance of Jewish responsibility while learning Haftarah, Torah and prayer. We take pride in knowing that these students have explored their Jewish identities and have learned the foundations necessary that will lead them into Jewish young adulthood.
Post BMitzvah, our 8th, 9th and 10th grade students engage in innovative programming
that continues to help them explore relevant topics and foster friendships. They explore, question and challenge issues that they identify as being important to them including current and historical events, values, rituals and traditions. Students discuss social action and social justice causes and organizations that are important to them and often opt to volunteer for the cause. Speakers, trips and projects help bring student interests to life. (took out the sentence about fostering Jewish identity but thinking I might want to put it back in?) Our Better Together Program connects teens with our Beth Elders - congregants who are 65 years and older, to explore intergenerational issues, encourage friendships and celebrate joyful Judaism!
Students who participate in our Hebrew High program can celebrate being Confirmed with their classmates. Being Confirmed is not merely a religious ceremony. The process of becoming
Confirmed is filled with self-exploration, examining Jewish concepts and beliefs and working together with their peers. Being Confirmed encourages students to take on Jewish leadership positions as Madrichim (teen mentors and role models) while in grades 11 and 12 in the Mini Mensch and Mensch Making Academy.
Junior Congregation
Our Junior Congregation services (Grades 3 through 7) are held on select Shabbat morning and holidays during the school year. Using a creatively designed prayer book, this instructional service provides students an opportunity to explore the concept of prayer and take part in services. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend with their children. As an extension of Jr. Congregation, each class prepares a unique service leading the congregation in song, prayer and creative writings from the heart.
Tot Shabbat
Young children through 2nd grade engage in their own Shabbat Morning and holiday services. Shabbat comes alive for young children through music, tactile play, songs, games, storytelling, crafts, movement, and more! Teachers encourage wonder and questioning. Feeling proud of being Jewish can begin at a young age! Our entire congregational community embraces and welcomes our youngest learners!
Dick Packel Learning Support Program
Throughout his life, congregant Dick Packel was determined that every Jewish child have an education supporting their emotional, social, and academic needs. Through the generosity of his family, Dick Packel’s vision lives on. Working within the framework of their learning challenges, our certified special education teacher nurtures, supports, and encourages students to engage in activities that support and enhance their individual learning.
Dick Packel had a dream - that all children would have the opportunity to learn, explore and question in a supportive environment. This program is designed for students to become more confident in themselves as learners. Children with special needs, those experiencing difficulty in congregational classroom settings, and students who might benefit from ‘flying a little faster’ with enrichment, receive one-on-one or small group instruction from our Learning Support teacher and help from our specially trained teen teaching assistants (Madrichim). Children learn and experience in unique ways. At the Mensch Making Academy, we nurture and support all students to ensure that they have a rewarding and fulfilling Jewish educational experience. It is our priority that all Mensch Making Academy students have individualized learning opportunities and learn through experiences and methodologies that are best for them. Please contact Ellen Glassman, Education Director at [email protected] to find out more about our inclusive program.
K'Tonton
Since 2002, Congregation Beth El – Ner Tamid has proudly partnered with Federation Early Learning Services, who are specialists in infant, toddler, and preschool programs and have been serving the Jewish and secular communities for over a century.
Our preschool program, known as K’tonton, is ranked in the Top 3% of Delaware County Centers and is both NAEYC accredited and a Keystone Stars 4A program. That means it has met, at the highest level, all of the standards required by these credentialing organizations.
K’tonton Early Learning Center is an intimate and welcoming center staffed by an experienced teaching and administrative team. Content areas such as reading, math, science, and art are integrated into a central theme that makes learning fun and meaningful.
The staff encourages children to learn through discovery and exploration. Parents are actively involved in the center and families develop strong connections. Our enclosed playground develops healthy bodies and minds. Children regularly use synagogue facilities and the Rabbi visits our classrooms to work with our kids. The Center’s diverse population adds to its already rich curriculum. Multicultural activities include the ethnic backgrounds of all of the children in the classroom.
To learn more, contact Hope Gainous, Interim Center Director, at 610-325-4831 or visit felskids.org
May 2024
28
Rehearsal - Parker Thomas
Chol Hamoed Pesach,5th Day Omer
9:30am Morning Minyan
1:30pm Mostly Waltz Dance Group
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29
Office Closed
Pesach,6th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
9:30am Passover Service (Zoom Only)
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30
Office Closed
Pesach,Yizkor,7th Day Omer
9:30am Passover Service / Yizkor @ CBENT
6:30pm Bissel of Torah
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8th Day Omer
6:30pm Evening Minyan
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9th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
7pm Choir Rehearsal
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Cantor Out
10th Day Omer
7pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
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Cantor Out
Shabbat Mevarchim,11th Day Omer
Parshat Achrei Mot
10am Kabbalat Shabbat Service Rededication Hanukkah Shabbat Guest Speaker Elyse Wechterman head of RA
10am Shabbat for the Soul
12:20pm Philosophical Issues of Judaism Meeting
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5
12th Day Omer
9:30am Morning Minyan
12pm Love Thy Neighbor Planning Meeting
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6
Yom HaShoah,13th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
7:30pm Men's Club Meeting ?
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7
14th Day Omer
6:30pm Bissel of Torah
7:30pm Religious Committee Meeting
7:30pm Membership Committee Meeting
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8
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar,15th Day Omer
6:30pm Evening Minyan
7:30pm Strategic Task Force Committee
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9
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar,16th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
1pm Crafting
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10
17th Day Omer
7pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
11
18th Day Omer
Parshat Kedoshim
10am Bar Mitzvah of Parker Thomas
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12
Mother's Day
19th Day Omer
13
Yom HaZikaron
Yom Hazikaron,20th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
7pm Sisterhood Board Meeting (TI Room)
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14
Yom Ha'Atzmaut,21st Day Omer
6:30pm Bissel of Torah
7:30pm Executive Meeting
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15
22nd Day Omer
6:30pm Evening Minyan
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23rd Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
12pm Staff Meeting
7pm Choir Rehearsal
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24th Day Omer
7pm Confirmation
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25th Day Omer
Parshat Emor
10am Shabbat Service
12:20pm Philosophical Issues of Judaism Meeting
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26th Day Omer
20
27th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
7pm Finance Meeting
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28th Day Omer
6:30pm Bissel of Torah
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Pesach Sheni,29th Day Omer
6:30pm Evening Minyan
23
30th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
1pm Crafting
7:30pm Security Committee Meeting
7:30pm Love Thy Neighbor Planning Meeting
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24
31st Day Omer
7pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
25
32nd Day Omer
Parshat Behar
10am Bat Mitzvah - Heleana Law
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26
Lag B'Omer,33rd Day Omer
1:30pm Mostly Waltz Dance Group
27
Memorial Day
Office Closed
34th Day Omer
9:30am Morning Minyan (Zoom Only)
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28
35th Day Omer
6:30pm Bissel of Torah
7:30pm Annual Congregation Meeting
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29
36th Day Omer
6:30pm Evening Minyan
30
37th Day Omer
7:15am Morning Minyan
12pm Staff Meeting
7pm Choir Rehearsal
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38th Day Omer
7pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
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Shabbat Mevarchim,39th Day Omer
Parshat Bechukotai
10am Shabbat Service
12:30pm Love Thy Neighbor Food Clothing Distribution
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