Education at B’nai Israel Jewish Center is an intimate family experience.  As the historic center of the Sonoma Jewish community we celebrate a deep tradition of learning that has its roots in the past and a vision for the future.  From our excellent early childhood education center, Gan Israel, through our innovative religious school and adult education, B’nai Israel delivers dynamic opportunities for Jews within the Sonoma area to build community while learning.

Learning, living and growing are definitely community endeavors for all at B’nai Israel.  Located in beautiful Petaluma our multi-generational community creates innovative learning opportunities that are “outside the box, yet within the tradition”.

Religious School

Our religious school, grades K-8, is led by trained staff who create a stimulating learning environment.  With a combination of wisdom and insight our students explore the many facets of Judaism within a safe and nurturing setting.  The primary goal is to teach the values of Jewish living. In that context,   Hebrew and Tefillah (Prayer) reading fluency is pursued through an examination of sacred text. This enhances the joy of learning along with the skills needed to be comfortable within any Jewish community. At our school Torah speaks not only with the voice of the past, but also with the urgency of today and the vision of tomorrow.  Our students build strong healthy connections with Israel through study of Israeli texts, both historical and current. Israeli news is treated as a local event in which we as a community are invested.  Finally, students, along with their families, bring our teachings to life through varied mitzvah projects throughout the year.

Religious School Highlights

• Ages: kindergarten through 8th grade

• September through May classes

• Sunday mornings 9:30 to noon for all grades

• Additional Thursday afternoon school 3:45 - 5:45 for 4-8 grade, including B'nai Mitzvah preparation.

• Must be a current member of B'nai Israel Jewish Center to enroll in Religious School

Fees (subject to change for school year 2005-2006)

• K-3: $400 per year (once a week)

• 4-8: $575 per year (twice a week)

• $50 snack fee for every level.

Family Education

All education at B’nai Israel is family education. All family members are welcome to join us with the school at any time during our session. In addition we offer monthly Jewish Family Education Programming that combines the three basics of Jewish life…joy, learning and of course food.  Special sessions are created for B’nai Mitzvah families to help prepare for their special occasion.

Teens

Teens are invited to participate in the area wide program for Jewish teens.

Tzaddikim participants are 8th-12th grade Jewish teens throughout Sonoma County. Peer and group activities take place all over the Bay Area creating a positive teen community that expands beyond synagogue life. Peer dinner/discus­sion groups are one Wednesday per month, 6:30-8:30pm at rotating locations. In addition, there is one group weekend activity per month including some overnight trips – for 2006-2007, we are planning trips to Berkeley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and even New York!

Our theme this year is Jewish Identity in the Big Picture: Relating to the World as a Jew. Within this theme, the 8th graders will be exploring the issue “Who am I in this new body?”, the 9th -11th graders will be discussing Jewish perspectives on current events and the 12th graders will be working to figure out how their Judaism might fit into their post-high school life. All teens will participate in social action projects throughout the year.

Teens and interested families may contact Sara Pflantzer at tzaddikim@shomreitorah.org or call her at 917-655-0238.

For Further Information:

Finally, if you and your family are looking for a welcoming growing community dedicated to the education and well-being of each of its families B’nai Israel may be the place for you. Our school is in session Sundays and Thursdays, please feel free to drop on by to try us on….it could just be the fit for you.

For more information and to inquire about our special community wide events you may contact:

Rabbi Ted Feldman, Religious School Director:

Phone: 707-765-2937
Email: rabbi@bnaiisrael.net

Tamar Landrillo, Religious School Co-Director:

Mailing Address:

B'nai Israel Jewish Center
Religious School
740 Western Avenue
Petaluma, CA 94952