Relgious Education Blog

In October, our students learned about the end and beginning of the Jewish year and the lifecycle associated with it. Our youngest students created shofars of their own to mimic those blown in synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur.

Our religious education curriculum allowed for discussion and art as a way of learning and discovering the mitzvah of building a sukkah and its importance to the community. Their creative minds cut, glued, folded, decorated, and designed fruit, ring chains, pumpkins, fruit prints and ornaments to decorate our community sukkah with pride!

BETY
Beth El Temple Youth is a group of students ages 11–18 who are a part of the TBE community. We offer an array of unique events and learning opportunities for them to learn new skills, culture and explore their Jewish identity as they grow. They have participated in movie nights, cooking class and they most recently build their own BETY (Beth El Temple Youth) sukkah. Here is a look at upcoming BETY Events:

• Sunday, November 6, 2:00 p.m. BETY Meeting (ages 11–18)
• Thursday, November 17, 5:30 p.m. Pie Palooza—A Baking Class and Nosh

Consecration
On October 16, 2022, we had our first in-person Consecration service since COVID-19 began. This year, our largest class in religious education is our Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade group. Their teacher, Mazriel Pimentel-Diaz, and madrich, Ephraim Petersen (10th grade), have engaged them with our reading program, arts and crafts, music time with Cantor Fine and lots of learning!

Madrichol Program
This year we have been blessed with four teaching assistants to support our program. Sam Lappin, Solomon Selkin, Ephraim Petersen, and Ben Shvidler have stepped up to the challenge and are performing wonderfully. Each brings their experiences and insight to support the learning of our students. Thank you, gentlemen!

TZEDAKAH—ALL DRESSED UP! 2022
It’s official! Our Religious Education Program is launching our first tzedakah project of the year. We invite our students and their families to look through clothes that are no longer in the rotation or those that no longer fit. Each Sunday, students are invited to drop off their donations to the art room in the bet wing (BET 10). Donations will go to the Tacoma Rescue Mission. As students drop off items, they can earn a heart on our 100 Acts of Kindness board.

Giving Thanks Event
On Sunday, November 20, as part of religious school, we will be hosting a Giving Thanks event. During class, our students will be discussing things they are grateful for and ways they can give thanks to the people in their world who help make it a better place. They will be encouraged to write thank you notes and celebrate those in their world. Stay tuned for the gratitude!

Interested in taking a tour of our BET wing and learning more about our Religious Education Program? Email Madeline Pimentel-Diaz at madi@tbetacoma.org or call (646) 421-0056 for more information.

L’Chaim

Madeline Pimentel-Diaz