Dor Hadash Religious School 2007 - 2008 5768
RECONSTRUCTIONIST SMALL CLASSES REASONABLE COST FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING PROFESSIONAL FACULTY The Dor Hadash Religious School provides Reconstructionist Jewish education in an after-school setting for children of grade school age through Bar/Bat Mitzvah. We provide a caring learning environment focused on those ingredients that each family will need to engage in the lifelong process of being a responsible Jew. We promote true equality within the Jewish tradition; a sincere regard for other religions and cultures; an appreciation of the divine in the world around us and in each one of us; and continuing evolution of Jewish commitment More specifically, our aims are: To teach prayer and study as expressive and creative modes of spirituality, To present Torah as the continual, creative and sacred search for meaning in life, To encourage active, egalitarian and responsible participation in the Jewish community, To view mitzvot as our obligation to hallow all life through acts of social justice and compassion, To explore the diverse Jewish understandings of God and the search for holiness that underlies them, To foster knowledgeable ties to the land and people of Israel. .The Dor Hadash Religious School began as the Reconstructionist Children's Study Group in 1987 and was later known as Dor L'Dor. It is now closely integrated with Congregation Dor Hadash, a member-led, open and welcoming congregation affiliated with the national Jewish Reconstructionist Foundation (JRF).
		Answers to common questions: SYNAGOGUE MEMBERSHIP PARENT INVOLVEMENT CLASS ATTENDANCE SYNAGOGUE ATTENDANCE STUDENT EVALUATIONS BAR/BAT MITZVAH PREPARATION MEETING PLACES MEETING TIMES HOMEWORK BOOKS AND MATERIALS DISCIPLINE TUITION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL ADDITIONAL LINKS: DOOD'LER monthly School newsletter, including news, recipes, etc - current and archive issues Dor Hadash Religious School Curriculum Outline Dor Hadash Religious School Prayer Curriculum. FROM JRF WEBSITE: Education Resources
SYNAGOGUE MEMBERSHIP: All families with children in the Dor Hadash Religious School are required to join Congregation Dor Hadash. Much of our Jewish learning takes place in the context of synagogue worship and holiday celebrations. The Dor Hadash Congregation also provides a substantial subsidy to individual families with children enrolled in the school, and to the school generally. Membership information is available.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT is both critical to and a great strength of our school. Parents usually welcome the opportunity to take an active role and interest in their children's education, as well as to help with the operation of the school. Parents, also, please talk to your children about what they are learning, incorporate that learning into your family life, help them with homework, and attend Congregation Dor Hadash services with them.
CLASS ATTENDANCE is crucial so that the goals of the curriculum can be fulfilled. If your child must be absent from a class, please contact the teacher concerning missed assignments and preparation for the next class.
SYNAGOGUE ATTENDANCE is an integral part of Jewish education, which cannot take place in a vacuum. All students and families are encouraged to attend services on a regular basis. Classes participate regularly--to the extent of their abilities--in leading youth-oriented Dorot ("Generations") services, and our graduates often return as service leaders.
STUDENT EVALUATIONS are performed by the classroom teacher to determine if each student has progressed appropriately. If a student needs help to meet the requirements, the teacher and principal will work with the student and parents to provide assistance.
BAR/BAT MITZVAH PREPARATION will take place only after a student completes at least four years of approved Jewish education, and by arrangement with Dor Hadash Congregation. Students who attend another Jewish school during these years are expected to attend the mitzvah class at Dor Hadash during their Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. Our students frequently experience their Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies and accomplishments as a tremendously positive time of growth and connection, in many ways. A student who becomes a Bar/Bat Mitzvah before the end of the school year in June is expected to complete the required classes during the remainder of the year.
MEETING PLACES are often in our families' homes. This serves as a reminder that Jewish learning should permeate our lives at home. Courtesy and respect for the host home are expected.
MEETING TIMES: Classes meet once a week for 2 hours, 34 weeks of the year, following the public school calendar and observing the Jewish holidays.
HOMEWORK: Our class time is minimal. Homework is therefore a part of the learning process. When homework is assigned, please help your child to be prepared and to learn.
BOOKS AND MATERIALS: Students will need a bag or backpack to carry books to and from class. Please help your child to be responsible for always bringing books to class. Other materials may be needed -- a kippah, pencils, notebook, tape recorder. Teachers will let students know what they need.
DISCIPLINE: Occasionally, disruptive student behavior in class becomes a problem. When this occurs, the teacher, principal, parents and student will confer to discuss options for better behavior and agree upon a plan of action to preserve a productive learning environment for the class.
TUITION: If special circumstances require alternative payment plans, please feel free to contact the school. Tuition is non-refundable after the first class, and students who begin late are expected to pay the full tuition.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL: A Board of Directors and an Executive Committee directs the School and its Principal. Parental participation is strongly encouraged. Opportunities to help are available in officer positions as Chair or Co-Chair and Treasurer, and as chairs of committees and in positions such as Personnel, Public Relations, B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator, Congregation Liaison, and Corresponding Secretary, and in school functions and events.
Contact our school:
principal@dorhadash.net		412-242-6335
Last changed: October 17, 2007 webmaster@dorhadash.net