Jewish Cultural School
The Beth Ami-CCHJ Jewish Cultural School serves children ranging in age from preschool (age 3) through B’nai Mitzvah (age 13). There are four age levels: preschool, early elementary, later elementary, and middle school. JCS meets biweekly at Countryside Recreation Center, 10470 Oak Street, Westminster (near Flatirons Crossing Mall). There are 16 sessions for the school year. Our sessions are coordinated with public school calendars.
We strive to develop a community of learners who want to develop a Jewish identity as well as achieve cultural literacy of their Jewish heritage. In addition, we want children to develop both self-esteem and respect for others, to take responsibility for their own actions and to understand the value of community service. We encourage students to be problem solvers and be able to think for themselves.
When children arrive at 10:00 a.m. they find an art project that can be accomplished by children of various ages. After 20 minutes, children join their age level class for about an hour. In their classes, children do hands on activities that teach about our year long theme and topic. All children learn beginning Hebrew and sing Jewish songs. We conclude with a potluck lunch featuring Jewish/family favorite foods from around the world. This is the time that children share and celebrate their learning with parents and the congregation. We also sing happy birthday in Hebrew each month to those adults and children who are observing a birthday. The session ends at 12:30 p.m.
Parent Participation
Parents sign up to provide an Jewish/family favorite item for lunch on a rotating basis. We invite all parents to join their children and teachers at lunch. Parents are also welcome to share a special event and/or knowledge about relevant topics.
We also invite parents to help us with tzedakah projects throughout the year. We donate can goods to the Weinberg Pantry operated by Jewish Family Service. We bake and buy goodies for several Jewish holidays to share with Jewish seniors living in community facilities. We support UNICEF at our annual Purim Carnival. We spend time and donate money to environmental organizations.
Curriculum
Each year our teachers plan curriculum that is based upon a year long theme and topic. During the 2008/2009 school year, our theme was ometz (courage) and our topic was Israel. We went on a mock Israeli vacation, created some beautiful art projects, ate Israeli food, and played games to teach about courage in our own lives.
During the 2009/2010 school year our theme is chessed (kindness) and our topic is Jews of the World. Our children will learn about ashkenazic and sephardic culture. Where are the major centers of Jewish life today? Who are important people who have made a difference in the world? What happened in the past that still influences us today?
Children learn about Torah and other Jewish texts through a humanistic lens We believe human beings possess the intelligence and wisdom to determine the purpose and course of our lives without the need for supernatural guidance or protection. We use human reason, initiative, and courage to formulae and achieve our noblest aspirations.
We celebrate Jewish holidays at our school as well as learn songs and readings to share with the community. We hope our school families will become an integral part of the larger Beth Ami community.
Students choose to participate in our B’nai Mitzvah Program. Mitzvah students select a Jewish text, hero, and/or project with which they feel a personal affinity. Preparation for B’nai Mitzvah requires additional study outside of our school with our Mitzvah tutor.
For tuition and registration information, please click on the To Register link above.
