Religious School at Congregation B'nai Israel
Click a link below to read more about our Religious School:
For more information on this and the other offers from our CBI Religious School, contact our
Interim Religious School Director Rabbi Todd Doctor at educator@cbigalveston.org or call our office at 409-765-5796.
Religious School Overview
Our CBI Religious School seeks to impart the most important aspects of Judaism to our students (from Early Childhood Education to Confirmation) and to build a sense of community and shared values, while having fun. We aim to convey meaningful content in the context of a warm, inclusive learning environment.
“Enduring understandings” are big ideas that have lasting value beyond the classroom. It is what we want our students to retain even if they forget many of the details covered. Enduring understandings require exploration and engagement, and they provide a larger purpose for learning.
Here are some of the enduring understandings we strive to impart:
-
I am part of the Jewish family, starting with my own, to my synagogue, all the way to my connection to Am Yisrael (the Jewish people).
-
We have a responsibility to use our Jewish values to help us be better people and to help others (friends, community and the world) to live healthier lives.
-
The Torah is our guide to living a good Jewish life. Reading as well as interpreting Torah is our right and responsibility as Jews.
-
Holidays help us connect to our traditions, our community, and the world.
-
Observing and celebrating Jewish life-cycle events bring a sense of sacredness to our lives.
-
We are all created in the image of God, who expects us to act morally, ethically, and justly.
Aided by the innovative curriculum of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), our Religious School Director and our educators think deeply and plan carefully for how they convey these big ideas to our students. They are our Religious School compass, framing the questions and guiding our learning.
Tuition Information
Our beloved Rabbi Henry Cohen (z’’l) believed that Religious School is not a privilege for only those of means; it is a right and responsibility for all who care about our Jewish future and our personal Jewish identity.
So, today, the membership of CBI stays committed to ensuring our Jewish youth identify as Jewish adults by offering the very best Religious School education—from the innovative curriculum of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life —to any Jewish child in the greater Galveston area at no cost to you!
All that CBI asks, in exchange for this priceless Religious School Education, is that the parents be congregants of CBI or Beth Tikvah , and a pledge of consistent attendance (which is part of the CBI Religious School Enrollment Form). Although not required, any financial contribution you wish to make (separate from your CBI Annual Financial Commitment) is also appreciated.
Lipnick Jewish Summer Scholarships
As an incentive for fulfilling that commitment of consistent Religious School attendance, CBI will provide your child(ren) a $1000 scholarship for an approved and organized Jewish Summer Experience (i.e. Jewish Summer Camp, Israel Trip, Mitzvah Corps Project, etc.).
To take advantage of this generous scholarship — made possible by CBI congregants’ donations — your children must maintain regular Religious School attendance and parents/guardians must be contributing congregants of Congregation B'nai Israel - Galveston in good standing.
Religious School Calendar 2021-2022
Please also see our congregational calendar for Religious School activity dates by clicking here.
September:
6 - Erev Rosh Hashana
7 - Rosh Hashanah (5782)
15 - Erev Yom Kippur
16 - Yom Kipppur
19 - Welcome Back: Sukkah Decoration
20 -27 - Sukkot
25 - Jacob Hart Bar Mitzvah
26 - No religious school
28 - Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
October:
2 - Zach Masel Bar Mitzvah
3 - Zoom Class
10 - Columbus Day : No Religious School
16 - Quinn Quigley Bar Mitzvah
17 - Religious School in CBI back yard
24 - No Religious School
31 - Religious School in CBI classrooms
November
7 - Religious School in CBI classrooms
14 – ISJL Program (Location TBD)
21 – Thanksgiving Break
28 – Thanksgiving Break
28 – First Night of Hanukkah
December
5 – ISJL Program (Location TBD)
6 – Last Night of Hanukkah
12 – Religious School in CBI classrooms
19 – Winter Break
26 – Winter Break
January
2 – Winter Break
9 – Class (Location TBD)
15 – Aiden Easton Bar Mitzvah
16 – MLK Holiday—No Religious School
16 – 17—Tu BiShvat
23 – Class in CBI classrooms
30 – Class in CBI classrooms
February
6 – Class in CBI classrooms
13 – Class in CBI classrooms
20 – President’s Day—No Religious School
27 – ISJL Program (Location TBD)
March
6 – Class in CBI classrooms
13 – Spring Break
16 – 17—Purim
20 – Spring Break
27 – Class in CBI classrooms
April
3 – Class in CBI classrooms
10 – ISJL Program (Location TBD)
15 – 22—Pesach
17 – Class in CBI classrooms
24 – Class in CBI classrooms
27 – 28—Yom HaShoah
May
1 – Class in CBI classrooms
3 – 5—Yom Hazikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut
8 – Class in CBI classrooms.
15 – Last Day of Religious School (CBI classrooms)