Sandi Kupperman Learning Center

The Sandi Kupperman Learning Center (SKLC) emphasizes education across the lifespan with programs involving:

• Early Childhood

• Religious School

• Shabbat Experience

• High School and Young Adult

• Family Education

• Adult Education.

Activities and direction of the SKLC continue to be overseen by its board, which meets on a monthly basis.

Early Childhood

Every Shabbat morning from 10:00-11:45am, for children 4 years old and younger we have a program of songs, stories, puppets and crafts. We are working to find ways to increase attendance.

Religious School

There were 15 new students enrolled starting in September 2011. The current enrollment has:

• Kindergarten, first and second grade (meet on Mondays and Shabbat): 11 students

• Grades 3-7 (meet Mondays, Wednesday and Shabbat): 63 students

Individualized services have been made available for students with special learning needs.

The curriculum has emphasized a balance between mastering ritual skills (reading and prayer), understanding Torah, Israel and Gemilut Hasadim. Sixth and seventh grades have also participated in programs addressing Ethical Decision Making, Holocaust and Judaism & Aging. As students move from grade to grade, they develop greater and deeper insights through exposure to common experiences.

Over the past year, the SKLC Board has addressed several areas including school policies, teacher and student performance, fund-raising and budget review. As part of the synagogue’s strategic planning process, the SKLC board will also be mapping its goals for the future. The SKLC Board actively participated in creating the proposed budget prior to approval by the synagogue’s Board of Directors.

Recently, the board has requested clearer differentiation between those programs that are clearly related to the Learning Center and those that are a part of an overall synagogue experience. This has allowed a more accurate cost allocation process. Greater attention has been paid to tuition collection and next year’s school registration materials have been updated. We are exploring implementing the use of technology in the school.

Shabbat Experiences

• GRADES K, 1 & 2 have a program on Shabbat mornings. They have a Shabbat service followed by activities such as music, dance, and storytelling.

• GRADES 3-7: Junior Congregation meets every Shabbat morning from 10 – 11:00am. These services are led by Steve Weiner and Jennifer Belden. Some Shabbatot have chuggim (electives) offered after Junior Congregation. In anticipation of bar/bat mitzvah preparation, attendance is mandatory for 6^th & 7^th graders. Grades K-5 attendance is voluntary.

   

High School and Young Adult Programs

The current enrollment in the Hebrew high school (B’yahad) is 27 students. Programs have been carved out for specific grades or combinations (e.g. 10^th, 11^th & 12^th are separate from 8^th & 9^th). Classes have met on Thursday evening from 6:30-8:30pm. Separate from B’yahad, there are youth group activities for grades 5 - 8 (Kadima) and 9-12 (USY). Both USY and Kadima members have attended local, regional and international events.

Adult Education

• Melton Mini School - Melton classes meet on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings. This course is taught by Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz and Rabbi Devorah Jacobson.

• Cuppa Joe – Meets every Sunday morning at 9:15am. The class, led by Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz, considers the history of Jewish prayer, as well as how the traditional liturgy speak to us today.

• Lunch & Learn – Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz leads this class every Wednesday from noon to 1:15pm. Participants bring a dairy lunch.

• Florence Melton Foundations for Jewish Living – Classes meet on Sunday mornings at the JCC. Parents study with Rabbi Katz core values in Judaism and the master stories that reflect those values. This is an opportunity for parents to consider the ways that Jewish values can impact their home. While parents are studying with Rabbi Katz, children experience the best of Jewish music, art and the P.J Library.

The responses to these courses have been positive and very well attended.