2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

I. The idea of parents and children studying together is not a new one. The innovative aspect of it is the living
museum at the end of the program, which exhibits all that was done during the course of the program.
II. This program can be applied to almost any subject in the curriculum of the religious school. It can be applied to
Torah study, Israel, Jewish Life Cycle, Mitzvot, Jewish History, etc.
III. This kind of program can encourage teachers to be more creative in teaching Jewish
subjects. It shows them how to use crafts, drama, computers, and museums as part of their class activities.
Our program of parents and children learning together for 6th & 7th graders has been in effect for many years
and we call that program our Tallit & Tefillah Club. Last year we implemented the Limud program for our Bet and
Gimel classes (2nd and 3 rd graders). (I am enclosing lesson plans for both of these grades.)
We have two teachers in the Limud Program. One of the teachers is also an art teacher.
We used three history books:
1. The History of the Jewish People by Jonathan Sarner & Jonathan Krasner (Behrman House, publisher).
2. Understanding Jewish History by Sol Scharfstein (Ktav Publishing House).
3. Introduction to Jewish History by Seymour Rossel (Behrman House).
The following budget includes expenses for the entire year as well as the expenses for the museum event, the
culmination of the Limud Program.
Budget
Expenses
2 teachers — 1 hour $1,550.00 x 2 hours $3,100.00
Art supplies for the museum & projects 217.26
Food 112.56
Prizes’ 61.23
Total Expenses $3,491.05
Income (only from the museum event)
from raffles, food & donations to defray the cost $807.00
Total Cost $2,674.05
The Conservative ideology encourages intergenerational study and a connection to our past. I think that our
program reached some of those goals. It was a requirement for the children but only strongly recommended for the
parents. Most parents came and responded very positively to the program.
It is our philosophy to have as many programs as we can, to involve intergenerational Jewish learning. We are
giving questionnaires to parents and children, asking them to evaluate the program.
HONORABLE MENTION
TEMPLE BETH AHM
250-500 Aberdeen, TX
Submitted by Ellen Morgenstern 732-583-5054
Temple Beth Ahm, a congregation of approximately 300 families, is located in a populous area of New Jersey where
there are many other synagogues. To distinguish ourselves among our peers, our Membership committee has adopted
the theme “A Family Place — A Spiritual Home” with an emphasis on intergenerational programming. All of our
membership recruitment programs are planned so that individuals and families of all ages and religious backgrounds
will want to come together for spiritual, cultural and educational events.
Our spiritual / religious programming includes a Tot Shabbat (Age 0 — 2nd Grade) and Mini Minyan (Grades
3-6) led by parents and involve both children and grandparents. A Bedtime Stories Friday Shabbat is held once a year
where grandparents and parents can observe children interacting with our rabbi dressed as they are in preparation for
bedtime. Once each month, there is an Early Friday Shabbat service where the main prayers are recited, but where there
is also congregational dancing and ruach interspersed throughout the service. Singles and Seniors enjoy these services