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 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 2020-2021
Please also see our congregational calendar for Religious School activity dates by clicking here.
September:
6 - No RS: Labor Day
13 - Welcome Back
20 - No RS; RH
27- No RS: YK
October:
4 - RS Day 1, Sukkot
11 - RS Day 2
18 - Off
25 - RS Day 3
November:
1 - RS Day 4: Landon Crawford, ISJL Fellow
8 - Off
15 - RS Day 5
22 - RS Day 6
29 - No RS: Thanksgiving Break
December:
6 - RS Day 7: Hannukah Program: Julian Cohen, ISJL Fellow
13 - RS Day 8
Dec 20 - January 3: Winter Break
January:
10 - RS Day 9
17 - No RS: MLK Holiday
24 - RS Day 10
31 - RS Day 11
February:
7 - Off
14 - RS Day 12
21 - RS Day 13
28 - Off
March:
7 - RS Day 14
14 - 21 No RS: Spring Break
28 - No RS: Passover
April:
4 - RS Day 15
11 - RS Day 16
18 - Off
25 - RS Day 17
May:
2 - RS Day 18
9 - Off
16 - RS Day 19
23 - RS Day 20: End of School Program