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 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:
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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).
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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.
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The Torah is our guide to living a good Jewish life. Reading as well as interpreting Torah is our right and responsibility as Jews.
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Holidays help us connect to our traditions, our community, and the world.
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Observing and celebrating Jewish life-cycle events bring a sense of sacredness to our lives.
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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 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 2019-2020
Please also see our congregational calendar for Religious School activity dates by clicking here.
September:
13 - Family Shabbat at Tiki
15 - Teacher planning day
22 - Religious School (RS) Day 1 - Pool Party
28 - Challah French Toast (CFT) Shababt
29 - No RS - Erev Rosh Hashanah
29 - Erev Rosh Hashanah
30 - Morning tot service and RH program for Religious school kids (1st - 5th grade)
October:
6 - RS Day 2
8 - Kol Nidre
9 - Morning tot service and RH program for Religious school kids (1st - 5th grade)
13 - RS Day 3 - Family Learning Day (late afternoon) followed by Sukkah decorating, service and dinner
18 - Family Shabbat - Sukkot in the Hut
19 - Ellary Shinder becomes a Bat Mitzvah (10:00 a.m.)
20 - RS Day 4
25 - Simchat Torah Shabbat and celebration
26 - CFT Shabbat
27 - RS Day 5
November:
3 - RS Day 6
8 – Family Shabbat
10 - RS Day 7
15-17 - Institute of Southern Jewish Lfie (ISJL) Fellow visit
17 - RS Day 8 Family Learning Day with ISJL fellow
23 - CFT Shabbat
24 - No RS - Thanksgiving break
December:
1 - No RS
8 - RS Day 9
13 - Family Shabbat
15 - RS Day 10 - Family Learning Day
December 22 - January 5: No RS - Winter Break
January:
10 - Family Shabbat
12 - RS Day 11
19 - No RS - MLK weekend
25 - CFT Shabbat
26 - RS Day 12
February:
2 - RS Day 13
7-9 - ISJL Fellow visit
9 - RS Day 14 - Family Learning Day with ISJL Fellow
14 - Family Shabbat
16 - RS Day 15
23 - RS Day 16 (Purim Carnival at Shaar HaShalom)
29 - CFT Shabbat
March:
1 - RS Day 17
8-15 - No RS Spring Break
20 - Family Shabbat
22 - RS Day 18
28 - CFT Shabbat
29 - RS Day 19
April:
5 - RS Day 20 - Family Learning Day
8 - CBI Congregational Passover Seder
12 - No RS
17 - Family Shabbat
19 - RS Day 21
25 - CFT Shabbat
26 - RS Day 22
May:
3 - RS Day 23 - Servolution at Moody Methodist Church
8 - Family Shabbat
10 - RS Day 24
17 - RS Day 25 - Closing Day
30 - CFT Shabbat