Students receive their siddurim at consecration
This is our core philosophy: We value each student as an individual. Hebrew is an important part of our program, but the success of each child is not based on Hebrew alone, nor should Jewish identity be founded on a student’s ability to read or speak Hebrew. Our programs are designed to bring the richness of our Jewish heritage to our student through the study of Torah, avodah and g’milut chasidim.
Kol Ha’Emek’s school is supported in part by a grant from Jewish Federation of New Hampshire.
Hebrew school meets on Sundays between 10 am and noon for grades PK-7 and on Tuesdays from 4-5:30 for grades 3-7. On Sundays, we start with an assembly and then divide into classes. One Sunday each month, parents come to school with their kids and we have Family Education for the second hour. We also support a Jewish Parents Chavurah (friend group) that meets monthly to discuss topics of interest. Contact Amanda Silver or Joslyn Meier for more information.
On Tuesdays, we serve an after school snack of bagels, cream cheese, and water from 3:15 to 3:55. It’s a chance to schmooze, nosh, play games, and do homework with fellow Jews. We expect students to behave appropriately for the context: a synagogue where people worship and work.
Playing outside between school and Hebrew School
Students who need get exercise so they can sit still during Hebrew School are encouraged to walk to the Roth Center from regular school or arrive at the Roth Center just before class begins at 4 pm.
Our classes are taught by Dartmouth College students, high school students, and adult community members. We engage in regular professional development to improve pedagogy, safety, and content knowledge.
Hebrew School Registration Form
The Hebrew School calendar is available by Google calendar subscription; please email the director to be added.
Tallitot made by Kitah Dalet
Our Hebrew School Curriculum is divided into three core sections of study: reading and understanding Tefilah (prayers in Hebrew), learning and incorporating Jewish Values in everyday life, and Family Engagement in the Jewish community.
We teach both Jewish values and Tefilah (prayers in Hebrew) using a range of curriculum materials from the Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative movements. Teachers write emails to parents after class describing what took place, proposing a discussion question, posting the homework, and providing videos and other resources which the students should study.
Students helping sort food donations at the Upper Valley Haven
Group mitzvah projects are a part of every class to prepare students for doing their own mitzvah projects at b’mitzvah time. Projects have included delivering high holiday food drive items to the food shelf at the Upper Valley Haven, writing cards to patients at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, helping to glean and sort produce for Willing Hands, and raising funds for organizations such as Peace Players.
Family Education
Family Education is conveyed through monthly Family activities and All-School Shabbat services. Parents attend these events to role model Jewish engagement for their children and to continue their own Jewish education. Non-Jewish parents are especially welcomed to join us and ask plenty of questions. We will not try to convert you (the prophet Isaiah said “the Temple is a house for all nations”), we just want you to understand what your children are learning.
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat happens monthly, either at the Roth Center or in various locations around the Upper Valley with our friends from other congregations. Contact the Education Director to be added to the Tot Shabbat email list.
Becoming b’mitzvah is a tremendous milestone in a young person’s life. If you have a child who is nearing b’mitzvah age, mazel tov to both of you!
*Note that we use the gender neutral term “b’mitzvah” here to be inclusive but we use the terms bar and bat mitzvah for specific individuals celebrating those events.
For more information regarding these programs, please contact the Education Director.
Jew Crew, our post-b’mitzvah teen program, meets several times each quarter (fall, winter, and spring) and usually takes an annual trip to experience Jewish life in a nearby city (Boston, New York, Montreal).
Jew Crew (post B’mitzvah program) Registration Form
For the safety of your children, the doors are locked during school hours. Directions for entry during school hours appears on the entry doors. Children will not be dismissed to the parking lot.
Please fill out our application and/or contact the Education Director.