From the Desk of Lauren Luskey, Director of Education & Lifelong Learning
Building an Educational Community
As I walked through the doors of Or Ami, I felt as though I was coming home.I couldn’t tell you how to get to the nearest Wawa, the difference between the “beach” and the “shore,” or even how to correctly pronounce “water,” but it did not matter. Everyone that I met took the time to introduce themselves, welcoming me into the community with open arms as though they were my long-lost relatives.
With each handshake, each smile, and each introduction, I have begun to understand the importance of this strong sense of community to Or Ami.It moves us to pray together, learn with one another, celebrate the joyous occasions, and comfort those in need.
I believe that this sense of community is essential for Jewish education. Traditionally, students do not study Jewish text alone.It is important to have a chevruta, a friend and study partner, to both encourage and challenge the learner.This concept can also extend to an entire educational community — a class in the religious school or a study group on Shabbat morning — as they pursue ideas and questions about Jewish identity and Jewish life.I believe that what we learn is less important than who we learn with. A cohesive and accepting learning community can make studying even the Torah’s most mundane laws of purity entertaining and exciting.
While this type of learning community is absolutely achievable, it does take work to build these relationships.Luckily, we have a fabulous foundation here at Or Ami upon which to build.
One of the most basic building blocks of relationships and community is also one of the most challenging for me: names.Knowing one another’s names allows us to treat each other as though we are family.It allows us to move beyond the smile, the blank stare, and the “hey you,” to a deeper connection, a more cohesive learning community.
As one rabbi told his religious school faculty, “If your kids know the alef-bet [the Hebrew alphabet] before everyone’s name in the class, everyone gets an F.Don’t even open the book the first class.”While I believe that the content of the learning is extremely important for building a well-rounded Jewish individual, without community, the content takes on much less significance.
I have to confess that it may take me a few introductions to remember your name.Please keep introducing yourself, until I remember.And in the meantime, I would like to extend an invitation to each and every one of you for coffee, tea, or water ice.My office door is always open, so please stop by any time.
I am thrilled to join Or Ami’s family.I look forward to strengthening this community with you as we learn one another’s names and continue to share meaningful and educational experiences.
2010-2011 Religious School Calendar
Religious School for 2010-2011 will take place on the following days:
If the Colonial School District is closed for the day on a Tuesday, Or Ami will not have religious school at 4 pm or Kollel classes at 7 pm.
If the Colonial School District closes early on a Tuesday, Or Ami will not have religious school at 4 pm or Kollel classes at 7 pm.
If the Colonial School District opens late on a Tuesday morning, Or Ami will probably have religious school at 4 pm and Kollel classes at 7 pm. If school is cancelled, you will be notified by phone.
If the Colonial School District runs a full day, but cancels afternoon/evening programs on a Tuesday, Or Ami will be open at 4 pm and a decision will be made later about the 7 pm session. Parents may pick up their children before the regular 6 pm dismissal time if the weather presents a driving hazard. Or Ami will shelter students who take the bus from the Colonial School District schools to Or Ami instead of sending them home to empty houses.
On Sunday mornings, we must depend on our own best judgment. If we feel that driving is hazardous or the parking lot will not be safe, we may cancel classes. If school is cancelled, you will be notified by phone.
If Or Ami Religious School or Kollel classes are cancelled, parents/guardians will receive a phone call from our "Dialmycalls.com" system. Each family may receive calls on up to two phone numbers. Please call or email the school office if you would like to add or change contact phone numbers.
School closing information can also be found on the home page of the Or Ami website at www.or-ami.org.
Please contact the school office if you have any questions or concerns about this school closing information.
Congregation Or Ami holds that Jewish learning and participation in Jewish religious and cultural life are essential to the formation of a solid Jewish identity.
Therefore, the Or Ami Religious School is dedicated to educating Jewish youth who will:
See Judaism as a positive and meaningful framework for their lives;
Express their Judaism through ethical behavior, ritual participation, and social action;
View their Jewish education as a life-long process; and
Involve themselves with their Jewish community both locally and globally.
Statement of Intent
It is our intent that our Religious School, in partnership with families and the entire synagogue community, will significantly contribute to the learning, growth and maturation of Jews who:
Express pride in their Jewish heritage, understand and practice Jewish traditions, and are able to transmit knowledge of and enthusiasm for Judaism.
Can articulate different ways Jews have conceptualized God throughout history, and affirm and act upon a personal perspective of God and spirituality.
Can describe the mitzvot which guide Jewish behavior, knowledgeably evaluate them for contemporary life, and commit themselves to live by these values both in their daily lives and on significant occasions.
Understand the reasons for the rituals and customs associated with Shabbat, the Jewish holy days and life-cycle events and observe these occasions appropriately in the synagogue and at home.
Enthusiastically participate in and support the life of the synagogue, the Jewish community, and the community at large.
Appreciate the nature of Tefilah (what it is and why we pray), know the structure and contents of the prayer book, and comfortably participate in Tefilah with kavanah.
Understand the significance of Hebrew as the sacred language of Jewish tradition and the Jewish people, and use it appropriately during synagogue worship and home celebrations.
Understand the basis of Reform Judaism and appreciate all forms of Jewish religious expression.
See themselves as important links in the chain of Am Yisrael for whom the history and the current condition of the Jewish people is familiar, meaningful and central.
Affirm their historic bond to Eretz Yisrael, visit Israel, and work for its well-being.
Religious School Committee
The Religious School Committee is comprised of parents, teachers and congregational leaders.It is charged with:
Working to enhance educational programming and encouraging its continued development and growth.
Maintaining a mission statement, setting goals, and developing an action plan and time line for RSC work.
Reviewing, clarifying and/or developing educational policies in consonance with the mission statement and in coordination with the Educational Director, clergy and related education staff.
Advocating for the school and for educational programming.
Maintaining open communications with the Board, professional education staff, clergy, congregation members and related groups and committees with educational functions.
Engaging in ongoing discussion and evaluation of the school, its objectives and curriculum, its personnel and achievements.
Being involved with the Educational Director and clergy in curriculum development.
Ensuring a safe school environment and the well-being of the students, teachers and staff.
Participating actively and regularly in synagogue-wide and community endeavors on behalf of Jewish education.
The Religious School Committee meets at 7:00 pm in Room 200.
Congregants are welcome to attend meetings as observers.You do not need to have children in the religious school to participate.If you have a specific item that you would like discussed, please contact Lynne Richman to be put on the agenda.
For more information about the Religious School Committee, please contact the
Religious School Committee Chair, Lynne Richman or Religious School Committee Vice-Chair, Tamara Davis.
Religious School Parent Organization (RSPO)
RSPO is devoted to fundraising for the religious school.
Building an Educational Community
