Congregation Sons of Israel

Religious School

Parent Handbook

Jewish Education Reimagined

2018 – 2019 / 5779

Hands on learning, relevant to our lives today, spiritually

meaningful and community based

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Dear CSI Families, This is going to be a fantastic year with lots of learning and fun. Thank you in advance for sharing your children with us! We hope that you and your entire family will get involved and attend the Family Learning Days and student-led services. In this handbook and on the CSI website you will find a complete calendar. The following are some key events that you will want to put into your calendar now.

Save These Dates: September 16 First Day of School & Back to School Barbeque Picnic November 2 Shorashim, Prozdor 1 & Prozdor 2 Shabbat Sababa Family Program December 2 Family Learning Day & Chanukah Celebration January 27 Family Learning Day Tikun Olam March 9 Dalet Family service and lunch March 20 Megillah reading and Purim Mania March 24 Purim Carnival April 5 Bet & Gimel Shabbat Service April 7 Alef Parent Siddur Workshop May 3 Alef Shabbat Service May 7 Heh class Graduation May 19 Family Learning Day Kehillah/Community

& End of Year CSI Organic Farm Barbeque More in our school calendar enclosed! The teachers and I are very excited to begin teaching and learning with your children. Many of our students have varying learning styles. It is extremely important that you share this information with me in writing. If your child has an I.E.P., please make sure a copy is sent to the school. All information is kept confidential. Your child’s teacher needs this information to teach your child. We will continue to offer through our “Lev” program opportunities for children with special learning challenges to be a part of our religious school. Anyone interested in making a donation to our Mitzner Family Special Educational Needs Fund should contact me. Through your support, we have been able to offer these special children one-to-one assistance in our classrooms. If you have any questions, suggestions, problems or feedback, please reach out by emailing me or calling. B’Shalom,

Roni Shapiro Ben-David Educational Director

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CSI RELIGIOUS SCHOOL PTA GOALS:

To provide assistance for the special holiday programs and dinners.

To sponsor parent education programs for Jewish traditions and culture.

To provide social events for students including parties, music and crafts.

To sponsor fundraising events to support our goals.

To generally support our school, teachers and children.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY JOINING THE PTA! The cost is only $36 per family. Pay by check to CSI RS PTA or to the RS PTA’s PayPal account at CSIRSPTA@gmail.com (add note “PTA dues”).

GET INVOLVED! To help, volunteer or ask questions contact Jenean Eichenholtz or Samantha Hawson by emailing CSIRSPTA@gmail.com.

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CSI Religious School Mission Statement and Objectives CSI Religious School is an inclusive community committed to educating our children in the many facets of Judaism and fostering the development of their Jewish identities and a lifelong love of Jewish learning and doing mitzvot.

We teach our children how to maintain and appreciate Jewish traditions while living in a modern world.

We instill pride in our children of their Jewish heritage and help them come to a deeper understanding of who they are as Jews through the study of Torah and Hebrew prayer.

We cultivate a personal connection to Israel.

We promote acts of Hesed (kindness) and Tzedakah (charity).

We provide a positive social atmosphere which encourages students to develop relationships with one another.

Below are our Big Ideas for learning this year:

Big Idea #1 By developing deeper connections to our sacred texts, we discover the values of our tradition and find meaning for our lives.

Kindergarten, First & Second grade - Essential Questions: Who are some of the important characters in the Bible? What are their stories? Why are they important in my life and in my family’s life? How am I like the people in the story? How am I different? What values can I learn from these characters? Third, Fourth & Fifth grade - Essential Questions: Why do we study Tanach text? How do we make personal meaning of Tanach text? How does Tanach text tell us how to live our lives? How can the Tanach help me in my life when I am not sure what to do? What values can I learn from this text? Sixth & Seventh grade - Essential Questions: Conflicts & challenges in the Tanach/Mishna text What do our Tanach/Mishna texts tell us about acting upon the demands of competing values? How can the Tanach/ Mishna help me in my life when I am not sure what to do? How can the Tanach/Mishna text’s conflicts help me through complicated situations?

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Big Idea #2 Being part of a spiritual community helps us at times of happiness and sadness. We can support each other through all of life’s experiences. Through communal prayer and ritual celebrations, we build community. Kindergarten, First & Second grade - Essential Questions: What is a Jewish Community? How and why do we celebrate as Jews together? What is Shabbat and how does it make our lives richer and connect us to one another? How does the idea that Jews all over the world celebrate the same holidays and pray the same prayers connect me to the Jewish community? What is prayer? How does prayer help make me feel part of a community? Third, Fourth & Fifth grade - Essential Questions: How can time be uniquely Jewish? How can this Jewish time connect us all over the world to other Jews? What makes a community Jewish? How can being a part of a Jewish community help me in my life and help others? What is prayer and how do I pray? How do prayers connect me to community, myself and to God? How does my relationship with God affect my prayer? Sixth & Seventh grade - Essential Questions: Why pray? How do I connect to the prayers if I don’t totally understand them? What is a Jewish community? What does it mean to be a member of a Jewish Community?

Big Idea #3

Judaism’s values, middot, provide us with guidelines for living that will help us find meaning and purpose as we live our lives. By living these values we will experience deep connections to one another, the world and God.

Kindergarten, First & Second grade - Essential Questions: Why does my behavior make a difference in the world? How do mitzvot help me decide how to act in the world? What makes a mitzvah uniquely Jewish? Third, Fourth & Fifth grade - Essential Questions: How can I be my best self? How can mitzvot and middot help me help others? How can I make a difference for other people in the world? Sixth & Seventh grade - Essential Questions: Why is important for me to try to make a difference in the world? How can I make a difference for other people & the world? Why does god want me to help repair the world?

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Big Idea #4 Whether it is over 3000 years ago or today, Jews have always had a special relationship with the land and people of Israel. By understanding the Israel of yesterday and learning about the Israel of today, we will create a love and commitment to Modern Israel. Kindergarten, First & Second grade - Essential Questions: If I was traveling to Israel, where would I like to go and why? How are Jewish holidays celebrated in Israel? How are they similar or different than the way we celebrate in America? What makes Israel such a special place for the Jewish people? Third, Fourth & Fifth grade - Essential Questions: If I was traveling to Israel, where would I like to go and why? How is Israel different from where I live? How is Israel similar to where I live? What makes Israel such a special place? Sixth & Seventh grade - Essential Questions: What challenges do Israelis living in Israel have vs. challenges we have living in America? Why do I need to support Israel? How can I support Israel?

Big Idea #5 Hebrew language connects us to our history and our future. Reading prayers in the original Hebrew connects us to how Jews have prayed for centuries.

Learning Modern Hebrew vocabulary connects us to Israel and leads us to understand that Hebrew language, while ancient, is also a modern, living language that is used today.

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Shorashim, Prozdor 1 & Prozdor 2 Curriculum

*See Big Ideas and Essential Questions

Area Shorashim Prozdor 1 Prozdor 2 All

Bible

Teach Me Torah Behrman House

Let’s Discover the Bible Behrman House

My Weekly Sidrah Torah Aura

Stories from Genesis and Exodus

Holidays

Jewish & Me and Look At Me Holidays Behrman House

Let’s Discover The Holidays Behrman House

I Can Celebrate

Torah Aura

All Holidays

& Shabbat symbols, customs, foods

Israel

Teacher Material Let’s Discover Israel Behrman House

The Great Israel Scavenger Hunt Behrman House

Important Places

Tikun Olam

Jewish & Me Tikun Olam and Look At Me Tikun Olam Behrman House

Let’s Discover Mitzvot Behrman House

Let’s Discover Kindness

Behrman House

See List Below under Tikkun Olam Section

Hebrew

Alef ToTav Coloring Book Torah Aura

Let’s Discover the Alef Bet Behrman House

Shalom Alef Bet

Behrman House

Letter recognition,

site words

Counting

1-10

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Prayers: Matovu, Oseh Shalom, Shema, Shabbat & Holiday Blessings and Jewish songs Hebrew Vocabulary: Alef - Ima, abba, echad, aron kodesh, etrog Bet - Bayit,bimah, b’vakasha, boker tov, baruch, beten Gimel - Gadol, gleeda, gefen Dalet - Degel, David Heh - Havdalah, Haggadah, Haman Chet - Challah, chanukiya, chalav, chaver Tet - Tallit, tu-b’shevat,, tov Yud - Yeled,yaldah, yisrael, yad, yom Kaf – Kipah, ken, keter, karpas, kachol Lamed - Lo, lechem, lavan, lev, lulav Mem - Matzah, mitzvah, megillah, melech, morah mezuzah, maagal Nun - Ner, ness Samech - Sukkah, Sabah, sefer, savtah, sivivon Ayin – Ugah Peh – Peh , Par-oah Tzadi - Tzedakah, tzahov Koof - Kiddush, Kadosh Resh - Rosh, raashan Shin - Shabbat, shalom, shirah, Shavuot, shekel Tav - Torah, todah, tapuach, toosik

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Alef - Heh Hebrew & Prayer Curriculum

Alef Letter recognition, vowel recognition,

blending, reading for fluency

Materials:

Tiyulim Series

Torah Aura

Shabbat Rocks

Prayer Book

Prayer:

Friday Evening Service & Shabbat morning prayers taught during Shabbat Sheera service, Hebrew Reading class & music

Bet Review & reinforce letter recognition, vowel

recognition, blending, reading for fluency

Materials:

Alef Bet Quest

Behrman House

Shabbat Rocks

Prayer Book

Prayer: Friday Evening Service & Shabbat morning prayers taught during Shabbat Sheera service, Hebrew Reading class & music

Gimel Review & reinforce letter recognition, vowel

recognition, blending, reading for fluency,

reading prayer words

Materials: Hineni Express Behrman House

Cantor Shiovitz’s Prayer Skill Class Modern

Hebrew Vocabulary

Prayer: Friday Evening Service & Shabbat morning prayers taught during Shabbat Sheera service, Hebrew Reading class & music

Cantor Shiovitz’s Prayer Skill Class : Shabbat morning prayers: Lev Shalom Prayer Book *Barchu & Shema V’ahavta Aleinu, Ein Keloheinu, Adon Olam Torah blessings Havdalah Ashrei Motzi Torah service Megillat Esther

Dalet Review & reinforce letter recognition, vowel

recognition, blending, reading for fluency,

reading prayer words

Materials: Hineni Express Behrman House

Cantor Shiovitz’s Prayer Skill Class: Lev

Shalom Prayer Book

Modern Hebrew Vocabulary

Torah Skills Workbook Behrman House

Prayer: Hebrew Reading class, music , Kadima service & Cantor Shiovitz’s Prayer Skill Class: Lev

Shalom Prayer Book

3rd paragraph of the Shema, Ahavah Rabbah, Mi Chamocha ,Motzi Friday Night Kiddush *Barchu & Shema V’ahavta Aleinu, Ein Keloheinu, Adon Olam Tallit blessing , Torah blessings Blessings before & after Haftarah Torah service, Ashrei Havdalah Torah Reading (trope)

Heh Kadima service, Bar Bat Mitzvah service requirements & Cantor Shiovitz’s Prayer Skills Class: September – January Tallit blessing / Torah blessings Blessings before & after Haftarah Ashrei , Torah service Torah Reading (trope) Modern Hebrew

January – May Havdalah Hatikvah Birkat Hamazon

Modern Hebrew

Mourners Kaddish

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Cantor Shiovitz Prayer & More Sunday & Tuesdays

Gimel

10:30-11:00

Room 1 or Small

Chapel

Friday Evening Service

Shabbat morning prayers

*Barchu & Shema V’ahavta Aleinu, Ein Keloheinu, Adon Olam Torah blessings Havdalah Ashrei Motzi Torah service

Megillat Esther

Dalet

Cantor’s Office

3rd paragraph of the Shema, Ahavah Rabbah, Mi Chamocha ,Motzi Friday Night Kiddush *Barchu & Shema V’ahavta Aleinu, Ein Keloheinu, Adon Olam Tallit blessing Blessings before & after Haftarah Torah blessings Ashrei Havdalah Torah service Torah Reading (trope)

Heh

11:00-11:30

Cantor’s Office

September – January

Tallit blessing Blessings before & after Haftarah Torah blessings Ashrei Torah service Torah Reading (trope)

January – May Havdalah Hatikvah Birkat Hamazon

Mourners Kaddish

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Modern Hebrew Tuesday’s with Morah Sheera

Gimel, Dalet & Heh

Materials: Ulpan Alef & Bet: Behrman House Publishing

In the true Ulpan experience, students will learn to speak and understand simple Modern

Hebrew vocabulary through games and discussions. Most importantly, the students will learn

that Hebrew is a living language.

Units:

Greetings & Responses The Family at Home Foods School Clothing Time Where are you? In the Park Colors Numbers The Party The Seasons Occupations Birthdays Popular Hebrew Expressions The Body Countries and Languages Israel

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Tanach/Mishna(Oral Law) Curriculum

*See Big Ideas and Essential Questions

Alef

Breshite/Genesis

Dalet

Joshua, Judges, Samuel 1, Jonah, Ruth &

Esther

How to use the Chumash

Rambam

Bet

Breshite/Genesis

Akiva

Heh

Jonah, Esther

How to use the Chumash

Pirke Avot/Mishna – Yochanan Ben-Zakai

Gimel

Review Breshite/Genesis and learn

Shemot/Exodus

Hillel & Shamai

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Israel Curriculum

*See Big Idea and Essential Questions

Alef

Places

Old & new city of Jerusalem

Haifa

Tel-Aviv

Galilee

Judean dessert

Golan

Caesarea

Masada

Negev

Tiberius & the Kinneret

Tzfat

Dead Sea

People

Ben-Gurion

Golda Meir

Theodore Herzl

Benjamin Netanyahu

Things

Flag & symbols

Maccabiah games, IDF

Language

Shuk

Music

Bet

Places

Old & new city of Jerusalem

Haifa

Tel-Aviv

Galilee

Judean dessert

Golan

Caesarea

Masada

Negev

Tiberius & the Kinneret

Tzfat

Dead Sea

People

Ben-Gurion

Golda Meir

Theodore Herzl

Benjamin Netanyahu

Things

Flag & symbols

Maccabiah games, IDF

Language

Shuk

Music

Archaeology

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Israel Curriculum Continued

Gimel

Places

Old & new city of

Jerusalem

Haifa

Tel-Aviv

Galilee

Judean dessert

Golan

Caesarea,

Masada

Negev

Tiberius & the Kinneret

Tzfat

Dead Sea Region

Yad Vashem

People

Ben-Gurion

Golda Meir

Theodore Herzl

Benjamin Netanyahu

Things

Flag & symbols

Maccabiah games, IDF

Language

Shuk

Music

Foods of Israel

Religions

Israel Innovation medical

Israel Innovation

technology

Dalet

Places

Yad Vashem

Borders

People

Ben-Gurion

Golda Meir

Theodore Herzl

Benjamin Netanyahu

Chaim Weizmann

Immigration

Things

Zionism

Maccabiah games

IDF

Language

Shuk

Foods of Israel

Knesset

Religions

Israel medical innovation

Israel tech. innovation

British Mandate

War of Independence

6 Day war

Security

Heh

Borders / immigration

Benjamin Netanyahu

Chaim Weizmann

Zionism

Music

Foods of Israel

Israeli government &

elections

Israel medical innovation

Israel tech. innovation

Palestinian Conflict

Security

BDS movement

Anti-Israel Bias

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Tikkun Olam / Middot & Mitzvot

*see big ideas

Mitzvot / Middot (Jewish Commandments & Jewish Values) Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) is the idea that we are preparing the world for the Messianic Era. Although it is God who will finally complete the healing process, we can prepare the world for the Messianic Age by doing our best with God's help to begin the work of restoration now. Tikkun Olam fits perfectly within the context of caring for the environment. When we care for God's earth we are, first, continuing Adam's work of guarding and keeping the creation and, second, we are undoing and repairing some of the damage that we have caused.

Tikun Olam Ben Adam L’chavero - Commandments that teach us how to treat each other and how we want to be treated.

Middot - Jewish values

Tikun Olam – Jewish commandments

Tikkun Olam - Repairing the world

G’milut Chasadim – Acts of loving kindness

Derech Eretz - Treating someone with respect

Hachnasat Orchim - Welcoming guests

T’shuvah - Making restitution and then repentance - saying you’re sorry and making an effort to change

Shmirat Ha- Teva/Adamah - Guarding nature, land

Pikuach Nefesh - Saving soul/life

Ahavta L’reacha Kamocha - Loving your neighbor as yourself (treating people how you would want to be treated).

Rodef Shalom - Pursuing peace

Tzedakah - Practicing commandments that help others.

Bikkur Cholim - Visiting the sick, doing something nice for a sick person

Bal Tashchit - Don’t Needlessly Destroy (recycling & environment)

Lashon Hara - The evil tongue

Lo Bushah - Not embarrassing someone,

Sh’lom Bayit - Maintaining family peace - loving and helping my family

Kavod Av V’em - Honoring my father & mother

Zikaron - Remembering (Holocaust)

Tzaar Baalei Chayim - Animal care

Kashrute - laws of keeping kosher

Hiddur Paney Zaken – Esteeming the elderly

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Holocaust/Zicharon

Bet Prejudice

Bystander vs Upstander

Gimel Review of last year’s areas of study

Prejudice

Hitler

Yellow star

Swastika

Nazi

Bystander vs Upstander

Righteous Gentiles

Dalet Review of last year’s areas of study

Partisan

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

Kristallnacht

Jewish underground

Gestapo

Third Reich

Judenrat (government)

Hanna Senesh

6 million Jews & millions of others that

were killed

Heh Review of last year’s areas of study Eli Wiesel Simon Wiesenthal Junusz Korczak Jews of Denmark Mordechai Anielewicz Adolph Eichmann Nuremberg Trial Anti-Semitism Diversity vs Hate Anne Frank Labor camps verses concentration camp

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Heh Class Curriculum

In addition to studying Prayers, Modern Hebrew, Pirkei Avot (Mishna), Holocaust,

Holidays & Israel, special emphasis is on Tikun Olam, repairing the world. Students,

while learning about what it means to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, an adult in Judaism,

will be focusing on Mitzvot that they will be commanded to follow. Coinciding with these

lessons, students will visit and take action in the Mitzvah/Middah learned.

This year Heh students will be going to:

November 13, 3:45 – 6PM Jewish Cemetery in Ossining & Old CSI Synagogue Building November 20, 4-7PM Ronald McDonald House December 4, 3:30– 6PM Atria on the Hudson December 9, 9:00 - 1:00 Teva Land & lunch out December 11, 4 – 6PM Edenwald Cottage School April 9 4PM – 6PM Passover Shopping Challenge for Project Ezra May 5, 10:30AM – 12PM Feeding Westchester

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Heh Class Curriculum continued

Special guest speakers: Holocaust survivors, CSI board members, Israeli

Soldiers and other guests.

Heh Class Mentor Program: Heh class students will be assigned either an Alef

or Bet student that they will weekly work with on Hebrew reading fluency and prayers. In

addition, they will mentor these students at special holiday activities.

Heh Class Dinner Nights:

On the Sundays that the Rabbi holds his Family Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes from 9:00-

11:00, the Heh class will not meet from 11:00-1:00.

Instead, we will cover the Heh curriculum by enjoying a meal together while studying

with Morah Sheera, Roni Shapiro, Cantor Shiovitz and Rabbi Kane.

The following dates will be Heh Class late nights. We will be providing dinner.

Dismissal will be at 7:00 pm.

October 30

November 20

December 18

January 8

Save the Date: Heh Class Graduation: May 7

Departmentalization program for Alef – Heh

Teachers specialize in the following core areas:

Tanach

Tikkun Olam /Mitzvot/God

Hebrew/Prayer

Israel/Holidays/Holocaust Through a rotation, teachers will deliver instruction to students beyond one age group, but in their content area. Through Departmentalization, student learning will be enhanced and maximize the limited time we have with students. This model is being suggested in recent educational recommendations. It puts teachers with focused content expertise and training in front of our students.

Project-Based Learning & Family Learning Days

Students will be working in groups on projects during class time in various subject areas. Through PBL, learning will be optimized, interest will be enhanced and socialization will be encouraged. These projects will be presented by your children on Family Learning days.Family Learning Days are fun and educational days planned for the entire family. Students attend with parents and siblings are invited. They run from 9:00-11:00AM.

Breakfast is served, courtesy of our PTA. Students will be teaching you for the first half

of the program and then Families will participate together in learning activities together.

December 2 Chanukah Family Learning Day & Celebration

January 27 Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) Family Learning Day

May 19 Kehillah/Community Family Learning Day & End of School

Year Farm Barbeque

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Here at CSI we are very proud of our staff!

2018-2019 Religious School Staff

Roni Shapiro Ben-David Roni has been the Educational Director of CSI since 1989. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Texas and has a Master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary in conjunction with Columbia University. She also has a license as a certified principal of Solomon Schechter. Roni worked for many years at Camp Ramah. She enjoys teaching adults and children and learning with them.

Maris Aschen Morah Maris has worked as a CSI Nursery School teacher since 2000 and in 2011; she joined our Religious school staff. She is excited to be teaching our students to love being Jewish.

Talia Friedman Talia Friedman has always had a passion for teaching children. She has worked as a camp counselor at Ramah Nyack for the past six summers and plans on one day pursuing a career in education. . Talia attended CSI Nursery School, continued on teo Solomon Schechter and had her Bat Mitzvah at CSI She teaches at our nursery school in the mornings and is working in the religious school teaching Hebrew game.

Wendi Reyes Wendi has been a dedicated educator with extended experience with preschool and elementary students since 1992, including nine years of Jewish religious and preschool experience. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology, has experience teaching special needs students, and has developed emergent and experiential learning curriculum programs through early childhood lessons plans and activities. She’s a published author with her most recent article, “Is Your Youngster Anxious?”, for the Westchester Healthy Family magazine and is currently working to complete her Applied Behavior Analysis certification.

Michelle Korzen Morah Michelle teaches our youngest Hebrew School children since 2005. She also, teaches in our Nursery School since 1996 as well as after-school programs at Kids Karousel Ltd. Michelle comes to us with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Art and knowledge and experience in working with children with different learning styles.

Caren Shapiro Morah Caren returns to CSI Religious School to teach Hebrew reading & prayer. She has many years of experience teaching Dalet and has substituted on most grade levels. Caren was an Assistant Principal in the NYC school system. She is well versed in various learning techniques, methodologies and protocols. She is also an attorney. She is looking forward to working once again with the students at CSI.

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Andrew Liebert Andrew graduated from Tufts University in 2017. At Tufts he served as Vice President of both Tufts Hillel and Friends of Israel, helping to foster meaningful Jewish engagement and connection. Andrew has been a member for over 15 years and regularly attends services and reads Torah at CSI. As a former camper and counselor at a Jewish camp, Andrew understands the importance of creating an educated and energized community to ensure that the vibrancy of today’s Jewish life continues long into the future. L’Dor V’Dor.

Sheera Zuckerman Morah Sheera taught our Lev class and Ulpan class for many years. She is a licensed and certified Elementary Education teacher with over many years of experience teaching and working in the Special Education field. She leads our Shabbat Sheera Club (junior congregation) and Kadima Service Shabbat mornings She has been with our Religious School since 2000.

Faith Kavy Faith has been teaching at CSI Religious School since 1994. Before that she worked for the Ossining School System. Faith has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. She has taught almost every age group in the Religious School, and is currently teaching the Prozdor 2 class (2nd grade).

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DERECH ERETZ DISCIPLINE POLICY In an effort to foster a learning environment that stresses mutual respect, we are formalizing the classroom management and discipline procedures we use. These results include:

A statement of philosophy (see below)

An implementation plan

The Five Rules to Live By Statement of Philosophy At CSI, kavod (respect) is one of the most important things we need to learn. We are all created b’tzelem elohim (in God’s image). Therefore, the way in which we treat each other is central. Our discipline policy should reflect mutual respect and responsibility. Teachers are responsible for implementing a management plan that responds appropriately to both positive and negative behavior.

DERECH ERETZ: FIVE RULES TO LIVE BY In our CSI Religious School community:

1. We are respectful to adults, students and property.

2. We cooperate and follow directions (including dress code, prompt arrival in classes, and cooperating with students and teachers).

3. We use appropriate language. 4. We keep our hands and feet to ourselves. 5. We contribute positively to the learning atmosphere.

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More Important Information You Need To Know

School Closings Due to inclement weather

In case of a school cancellation, a message will be posted on our synagogue website:

www.csibriarcliff.org, an email will be sent and a message will be left on the synagogue

answering machine. Please let us know if your contact information changes.

We usually follow the Briarcliff Public School District's decision regarding school

closings due to inclement weather with some exceptions. If Briarcliff closes on a

weekday, we will have no Religious School that afternoon. Sunday closings are

determined by the Educational Director and the Synagogue Director.

Cell phones: Students are not allowed to use their cell phones for anything that is

not related to Religious school classwork in Religious School. Please do not text or call

them during class.

Dropping off children

Shorashim, Prozdor 1 & Prozdor 2 students must be accompanied into the building

and to their classroom.

Picking up a child after Religious School

Shorashim, Prozdor 1 & Prozdor 2 students must be picked up at their classrooms by

an adult.

If your child is being picked up by someone other than you or your usual driver, please

notify the office in writing.

Alef - Heh: Due to child safety, all students must be picked up in the building.

Students will be waiting for you in the front lobby.

Picking up a child early

Parents who need to pick their children up early for any reason must park and come into

the building to get them. As is the policy in your child’s secular school, parents

must go to the office, not the classroom, and we will page your child to come to

the office. Children may not wait outside or in the halls for early pick up. Any child, who

is being picked up early by someone other than a family member, must have a note

giving permission for pick up.

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A note about Staying & Playing at CSI

While we are happy that so many of you are using our playground after school, we want

to make you aware of some of the usage rules. Please share these rules with all of your

child’s caregivers.

The playground equipment is only to be used by 2nd graders and younger.

There is no food allowed on the playground. If you wish to eat, please use the

picnic tables up at the farm. If you don’t see a garbage can, please take your

garbage with you.

For the protection of all of our children, please respect that we are a “nut aware”

facility, in and out.

Do not let children take sand out of the sandbox and mix it with the chip filling in

the play area and visa-versa.

Toys, shovels, pails and other toys must be put back in the designated area.

Please make sure that someone is watching your child

appropriately. Unsupervised play is dangerous. As you know, it only takes a

“blink of an eye” for an accident to occur.

Have your child wear proper foot wear. Crocks, sandals and any open shoes are

not recommended!

Always remember after play to wash hands

On the Farm:

Please visit our Farm, but respect the rules that are posted.

You may eat on the farm, but please clean up after yourselves.

If you are interested in renting a bed in our organic garden, contact Jill Greenstein at

jillgreenstein9@gmail.com.

If you’d like to purchase fresh eggs or produce, please call the office at 914-762-2700.

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Student Led Family Services Each grade has their special service and program in which families join us.

Students lead parts of the service in the main sanctuary, showcasing what they have

learned. Appetizers are served prior to the service and dessert follows.

November 2 Shorashim, Prozdor 1 & Prozdor 2 Shabbat Sababa Family Program

March 9 Dalet Family Service

April 5 Bet & Gimel Shabbat Family Service

May 3 Alef Shabbat Family Service

*in addition look for special invitations by grade from Cantor Shiovitz to

showcase what they have been learning with him. They will join him on the Bimah

and make you proud!

Shabbat Service Requirements: Shabbat Sheera Club & Kadima Service Children in third through fifth grades are required to attend at least 5 Shabbat Sheera

services. Dates and times are posted on our website, Facebook, bulletin and email

blasts. Younger children are also welcome!

Shabbat Sheera 10:00 -11:00 October 6 & 27 November 3 & 10 December 1 & 8 January 5

February 2 March 16 & 30 April 13 May 4 & 18

All 6th and 7th graders are invited to attend the monthly Kadima learning service that is

held 10:30AM - 12:00PM. Students who attend will get full Bar/Bat Mitzvah service

credit. All Bar/Bat Mitzvah requirements are under the supervision of the Ritual

Committee and Rabbi Kane.

Kadima 10:30 - 12:00

September 29 October 13 & 20 November 17 December 15 January 12 February 9 March 2

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SHABBAT FAMILY SERVICES FOR ALL We encourage you to attend Shabbat Rocks and the CSI Family Chavurah services with your family. Chavurah Dates 10:30AM – 12:00PM: October 20 November 17 December 15 January 12 March 2 Shabbat Rocks 7- 8PM: October 12 November 2 December 14 March 1 April 5 May 3

Adult Shabbat Limmud - Taught by Roni

For adults out there who want to learn a little more about the service and the weekly

Torah portion please join us for the following dates:

10:30AM – 12:00PM

October 13 November 3 January 5 March 30

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