By Ramona L. Brand, Director of Youth Learning
Religious School Opening Day Filled with Excitement
Religious School opened on Sept. 11 with familiar and new friends filling the classrooms with excited chatter and smiles. It was wonderful to welcome everyone back, and for the first time in three school years, begin another new year of learning together inside our school.
The morning was a whirlwind of activity. Students reconnected with friends, teachers met their new students and set the intentions for the year. The entire school participated in a Rosh Hashana fair with round-robin activities including card making, High Holiday “Jew”pardy games, stories, and a visit to the school library to borrow holiday themed books.
The morning concluded with a rousing musical assembly featuring Rabbi Michael Knopf blowing the Shofar and Rosh Hashana Singalong with Cantor Dara Rosenblatt, school director Ramona Brand, and music teacher Livy Brownstein. (See photos above and below)
The song Shofar Blast is an annual favorite, and the kids sang right along, making the sounds of the Shofar. Each child went home with a festive bag filled with holiday treats. It’s going to be a Shana Tova!!
October Religious School Calendar:
Sundays: Oct. 2, 9, 16, 30
Wednesdays: Oct. 12, 19, 26
Pre-K meets: Oct. 9, 23
Teens: Oct. 2, 9, 23, 30
Chaverim Katanim: Oct. 16
Family High Holiday Services:
Due to the Renovations at the Temple Beth-El Sanctuary All High Holiday services will be held off-site.
Yom Kippur: Wednesday, Oct. 5 • 10 Tishrei 5783; 10-11 a.m.; Richmond First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave.
This service will be outdoors in the courtyard under tents. Please bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Restrooms available.
In the case of rain, we will go into the chapel at First Baptist Church. (This event will also live-stream on Zoom and YouTube. )
Temple Beth-El Tot Shabbat Services: Saturday, Oct. 22. For families with children age Birth -5 / Open to the entire community
Families can enjoy a Shabbat service geared for young children and filled with music, stories, movement and more. Meet at 10 a.m. on the back lawn of the VMFA (Grove Ave. side). Bring a blanket or chairs and dress for the weather.
It’s Not Too Late to Register for the 2022-2023 Academic Year
Twice monthly Pre-School classes are available for children. ages 3 and 4 and Teens, Grades 8-10; Kindergarten – Grade 7 meet every Sunday; Grades 3-7- Midweek classes on Wednesday
To register/for more information – https://www.bethelrichmond.org/school
Interested in Beth-El Religious School for the upcoming year? Contact Ramona Brand, r.brand@bethelrichmond.org
Temple Beth-El Religious School employs the best practices in Jewish Education to raise the curiosity and literacy of our students, teachers, and families!
Contact Ramona at (804) 355-3564 ext. 111 or r.brand@bethelrichmond.org to learn more about our vibrant Jewish education and our remarkable congregation or visit http://www.bethelrichmond.org/education/brown-religious-school/ to find a registration form.
