Youth Learning

Confirmation

Confirmation year is the 10th grade year in religious school where students meet weekly with the Rabbi. The goal of the Confirmation year is to arm our children with the tools necessary to make sense of their reality as they begin to look past high school. Judaism is rooted in making sure that our youth grow up to be good citizens in the wider community. Class projects, discussions, and our trip to Washington, D.C. and Capitol Hill provide engaging opportunities for our young adults see the world through broad lenses.

Confirmation consecration is a ceremony that takes place at the end of the 10th grade year as the group of students affirm their commitment to the Jewish people. Here at Monmouth Reform Temple, when you walk through the hallway on the first floor you can see how deeply committed our congregation is to this ceremony. While Confirmation marks the end of formal learning, there are many ways for students to stay engaged with their Judaism extending through their 12th grade year and beyond.

Confirmation students meet with the Rabbi on Sunday mornings from 10 am – 12 noon.

Registration for 2022-2023

We look forward to helping to enrich your children’s Jewish education. Please click here to register online. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office at (732) 747-9365 or e-mail Director of Education Magda Reyes (magda@monmouthreformtemple.org).

Recorded Blessings

This year we have undertaken a Hebrew experience that focuses on each child’s individual growth. In order to ensure each child is getting the most out of the experience we are providing below the opportunity for each child to listen as often and as closely as necessary for their individual prayer mastery. Cantor Clissold has recorded, spoken, and chanted blessings for each grade to be learned and practiced throughout the school year. Her wonderful voice not only inspires our students to learn but is a joy for all ages who wish to listen.

Mitzvah Academy Grades 7 – 9

We understand that our children transform from pre-teens to teenagers and so does our curriculum and program. Sunday mornings for 7th-9th grades includes bagels, chugim (similar to electives), and a core curriculum that covers from Creation until today mashed with the 60 core Jewish values that underlie our school. The informal learning environment is designed to focus our teens on the ways he or she might live a Jewish life. They participate in a handful of off-site social action days and have a weekend getaway where we spend Shabbat together and discuss meeting life’s challenges in a Jewish way.

Our 7th graders continue to attend on Sundays as we round out the formal Hebrew curriculum and they craft the Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) fair for our Kindergartners – 4th graders.

7th-9th Grade Classes are held weekly on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.

B’Nai Mitzvah

At MRT we see the celebration of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah as merely one milestone in a Jewish life. That said, we recognize it as a significant accomplishment and seek to ensure your child feels confident and prepared for his or her special day. Approximately twelve months prior to your child’s simcha, he or she will begin weekly lessons with Cantor Clissold. The focus of these lessons will be mastery of the Hebrew prayers and melodies, Torah and Haftarah portions. Incorporated throughout are also monthly meetings with Rabbi Kline to discuss and prepare for your child’s D’var Torah and Mitzvah Projects. Families are encouraged to participate throughout the whole process of B’nai Mitzvah, including the service. To that end, we understand many of our families are interfaith and look for opportunities to engage all parents and family, who have supported and encouraged their Jewish student.

Grades 3 – 6

During 3th through 6th grade, your child will acquire the skills and knowledge that will provide a foundation of reading and decoding Hebrew. By the end of 3rd grade our students are decoding Hebrew, blending basic words, and reading a few prayers. Once they have a basis of the Hebrew letters and vowels they move to a twice a week program in 4th-6th grades. In our twice a week program Hebrew and Judaics are both part and parcel of the program.

Our Judaics curriculum continues its spiral from Bagels and Blocks through the years. In 3rd grade children are exposed deeper to the “god” conversation, bible stories, and mitzvot. In 4th grade our children dive into lifecycle events and learning the ins and outs of each holiday. 5th grade brings them back around to learning more about the modern State of Israel, mitzvot, and more bible stories. 6th grade has an introduction to the Holocaust as well as a deep conversation on Immigration.

Our program at this age is designed to encorporate all of their senses through relevent interactions and experiences. Our program is designed to prepare your student to take his or her place in the world as an informed, committed Reform Jew. Because we believe that joyful learning is the best path toward understanding, our teachers employ a wide variety of techniques and approaches to engage your child in Hebrew, prayers, and the stories and traditions of our people.

3rd Grade Classes are held weekly on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.
4th-6th Grade Classes are held twice weekly: Sundays from 9:30 am – noon, and Wednesday afternoons from 4 pm – 6 pm.

Grades K-6 Curriculum

Grades K – 2:

Our developmentally appropriate program provides your child with an introduction to the symbols, holidays, ethics, stories, and values of our religion. Our children are introduced to Hebrew and gain a basic understanding of the modern State of Israel. Through crafts, songs, readings, and dance your child will discover the foundations of Judaism.

Weekly classes are held on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.

Grades 3 – 6:

3rd Grade Classes are held weekly on Sundays from 9:30 am – noon.
4th-6th Grade Classes are held twice weekly: Sundays from 9:30 am – noon, and Wednesday afternoons from 4 pm – 6 pm.

Consecration

Consecration is a uniquely Reform Judaism experience that formally marks the beginning of an individual’s Jewish learning journey as a holy endeavor. The ceremony is usually a part of the Simchat Torah (literally translated as “celebration of Torah”) festivities where we celebrate and renew the yearly reading cycle. This ceremony is often celebrated with singing and dancing connecting our Jewish learning journey with our study of Torah. Every year here at MRT we welcome our new students with open arms and celebration as they begin their Jewish learning journey with us.

Consecration and Simchat Torah celebration will take place on Friday, October 16, 2016 at 6:00 PM.

MRT Seeking Energetic Educators!

We are seeking energetic and engaging educators who want to learn with and from their students to make Judaism and Jewish values come alive AND IT COULD BE YOU!

Do you:

Believe in connecting Judaism to the next generation of Jews in a 2016 mindset?
Love being Jewish?
Love to have fun with kids?

Have you:

Previously taught at Sunday school or Hebrew school?
Been a camp counselor?
Been to Israel or plan to go on Birthright?

Classroom hours are Sundays from 9:30-12:00 noon and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00 pm. We are especially seeking Hebrew teachers. To apply please email your resume and cover letter to principalfields@monmouthreformtemple.org with the subject “Educator Search” or call Stephanie Fields, our Religious School Principal at 732-747-9365.

MRT Curriculum Now Utilizes Online Learning!

Here at Monmouth Reform Temple we strive to implement a Hebrew curriculum that is accessible, easy, and enjoyable for our learners. In order to ease the process of getting to our online curriculum please find directions below for your convenience. If you have any questions feel free to email Stephanie Fields or call Behrman House directly at 800-221-2755.

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