Relgious Education Blog

We’re off to an amazing start this summer with our Temple Beth El Religious Education Team!

Our committee has been working extra hard to offer fun, outdoor activities for kids of all ages. We’ve played in the park at Gig Harbor and most recently enjoyed our Hike & Explore event at the newly renovated Owen Beach with our friends and temple family.

For those who haven’t had the opportunity to meet our new Rabbi Keren Gorban, you should meet us at one of our upcoming events.

Our Hike & Explore event was an opportunity to explore the coastline ecosystem and get to know our sea life creatures. One of our students, Sara Elstein, shared some of her recent studies about orcas and the historical part they play in the Pacific Northwest with great enthusiasm. A sibling pair, Solly and Mira Selkin, gave us an in-depth review of creatures like the moon jelly as well as an understanding of the many different types of seaweed and kelp that we need to sustain healthy waters. Both of their parents consistently share their knowledge of marine biology and environmental ecology with their families. Exactly what we need because knowledge is power!

A special thanks to our volunteer for the event, David Wheeler, for escorting us along the waterway. We ended the day with play at the park.

So what next? Our dedicated temple staff has sent out registration letters and instructions on how to ensure your students are registered for the upcoming religious education school year beginning on September 11, 2022. Scholarships are available for those who qualify to provide our youth with enriching education year-round in their Jewish community.

This year we have some exciting programing. We will be reintroducing our madrichol program. In our madrichol program, students in 8th–12th grades have the opportunity to volunteer as teaching assistants and serve as role models for the students in our Sunday school program.

Madrichol can choose to volunteer and receive community service hours for their time, or (subject to availability) they can receive a stipend. Madrichol will learn how to be a role model, develop leadership skills, and make a difference in their community. It serves as an excellent first job!

Join us in August for our first Year-in-Review, a sounding session to discuss our school year: things we loved, things we would like to see included in the next school year, and an opportunity to let us know about their experiences. Students and parents are invited to share and grow with us. Stay tuned for the date in your next Shabbat Shalom email.

Developing the right mix of teachers is critical to our success as your Jewish home in the Pacific Northwest. We are now hiring for teachers for 1st and 2nd grade; 3rd and 4th grade; and 5th and 6th grade. Experience is not required but is a plus. We will be offering an in-depth professional development program for all of our teaching staff.

Interested in giving back to Temple Beth El as a teacher? Email our new Interim Religious Education Director, Madeline Pimentel-Diaz at madi@tbetacoma.org or call (253) 564-7101 for questions or to schedule an interview.