Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Appendix B – Sample Letter from the Rabbi
Dear Parent(s),
We understand that there has been some confusion about the Academy’s kashrut and
birthday party policy and we want to clarify what the policy is and why it was developed.
As part of Temple Beth Am, we are informed by the practices of Conservative Judaism
and look to Rabbi Rembaum as our Mara d’atra, or religious authority. He advises us in
developing our religious practices and policies.
The Academy’s policy is that when the school sponsors an event, whether on campus, at
an outside venue, or at a family’s home, all the food served must be certified kosher
under rabbinic supervision. For other events, like birthday parties or play dates, we have
asked families to be considerate of our diverse student body in terms of personal religious
practices. We ask that you not schedule parties on Shabbat or Jewish holidays and that
you plan the menu to be inclusive of our families that observe Kashrut. In practice, this
has meant that while the food served does not have to be rabbinically certified, there may
not be a mixture of milk and meat items and it should be made from kosher ingredients.
Our community is exceptional for many reasons, but particularly because we are
inclusive and not judgmental of each other’s religious practices. When inviting friends
over for play dates or dinner, we have always made sure that even if our homes are not
kosher, that kosher options are available and that all our children are made to feel
welcome in their friends’ homes.
Our Academy teaches our children about the importance of being part of a community.
The kashrut policy was formulated with this idea in mind, along with the values that
inform Conservative Jewish practice and Temple Beth Am. It is in this spirit that we ask
everyone to be sensitive to this policy and our communal spirit.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to speak with either one of us. We
are here for both your children and you.
Looking forward to an outstanding year.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mitchel Malkus
Education Director
Angie Bass
ECC Director
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
Maxine Segal Handelman
USCJ Department of Education
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