Student Registration Forms

--
Rabbi Shalom Bochner
Director of Life Long Learning Congregation Netivot Shalom
education@netivotshalom.org
510-549-9447 ext. 104

Kadima  / Bilingual School Newsletter
January 19, 2009 / Tevet 23, 5769

As we continue with the new year 2009 we mark the halfway point of the
school year here at Netivot Shalom.  A number of exciting holidays are
drawing closer: Tu B'Shevat on Sunday night February 8th through
Monday February 9th and Purim on Monday night March 9th and Tuesday
March 10th.  There will be a congregational Tu B'Shevat Seder on 2/8
(for ages 12 and up) and a full evening of family and kids activities
on 3/9. Please mark your calendars.  We have some great programs and
special events coming up within the next few weeks; I look forward to
seeing you soon.

Kol tuv (all the best),

R' Shalom Bochner, Director of Life Long Learning at Netivot Shalom


Table of Contents

Tuesday 1/20 6-7 pm Participatory Pre-Purim Planning FREE Family Dinner Meeting

Revised Kadima School Schedule

New 5th - 6th Grade class project

Family Dinner on 1/30?

Youth Night IV  1/31/09

2/1 Rick Recht Concert






1. Tuesday 1/20 6-7 pm Participatory Pre-Purim Planning FREE Family
Dinner Meeting

Please join us for a delicious and free dinner for the whole family!
After dinner the kids can play or get a start on homework and we'll
have a brief meeting about Purim and our annual school fundraisers.
We need your ideas and your enthusiasm!  Hope you can be there.


2. New School Schedule

We have made some improvements in the school schedule including a
longer 20 minute snack and recess break in the Kadima School 3rd - 6th
Grades, a new Tefillah and Parshah HaShavuah discussion in the 1st -
2nd Grades Bilingual Program, and a  new Midrash through Movies and
Drama curriculum in 5th-6th Grades (see below). Please contact the
school office if you have any questions.


3. New 5th - 6th Grade class project

Our oldest students in the Kadima School program will now be learning
about Sefer Shmot (Book of Exodus) and Midrashim (Rabbinic
explanations and stories) using "The Prince of Egypt" and "The 10
Commandments" as examples of modern Midrashim to be compared to the
traditional Midrashim.  After comparing these different versions and
expansions on the Biblical narrative, the class will be creating their
own dramatic presentation of the story to be performed later in the
year.   This will be a unique program geared towards the skills and
age of this class.  We are looking for an interested parent or
congregant with a background with performing arts and/or theater to
assist the class in creating a script and a performance. Please be in
touch!


4. Family Dinner on 1/30

We are hoping to have our next monthly family dinner on Friday night
1/30.  This would be for K through 6th grades and follow the
successful format of this fall's Shabbat dinners:  appetizers,
welcoming Shabbat with songs, dinner, followed by a story, and plenty
of time to shmooze, get to know the other families better,  and enjoy
each other's company. We are looking for a few volunteers who could
organize this as a pot-luck or volunteer to make some food on Thursday
night or Friday.  Interested?  Please be in touch as soon as possible
so we can make this event happen.


5. Youth Night IV  1/31/09

Youth Night IV: Saturday evening, January 31 from 7:00-10 pm at
Netivot Shalom.  $12 per kid.  Netivot Shalom's youth in grades 1-6
have a party while their parents get a date night, with Ga-Ga,
Ping-Pong, Dance Dance Revolution, Ice Cream Sundaes, Arcade Bowling &
Pinball and a Giant Projected Movie.  Sponsored by the Youth Ed
Committee.  Let us know if you have not received the E-vite for this
fun program



6. 2/1 Rick Recht Concert

An extraordinary, uplifting community-wide concert at Netivot Shalom
for people of all ages with one of the most celebrated artists on
Jewish music today; come and be inspired by the positive values of
Judaism!  Opening act: Rabbi Menachem Creditor.  Sunday, February 1st,
4:00 pm.  Tickets on sale at www.brownpapertickets.com   $10/adults,
$6 for children (age 12 and under).

--
Rabbi Shalom Bochner
Director of Life Long Learning Congregation Netivot Shalom
education@netivotshalom.org
510-549-9447 ext. 104

Kadima / Bilingual School Newsletter
December 17, 2008 / Kislev 20, 5769

It's hard to believe that it is almost Chanukah and that in a few more
sessions the school year will be almost half way over. It's been a
very active time here: we have been learning about tzedakah and saving
with the Moon Jar project, making impressive progress in the Hebrew
text books, and participating in Tefillah and Torah study. I hope
that everyone has an enjoyable and rejuvenating winter break. Happy
Chanukah!

Kol tuv (all the best),

R' Shalom Bochner, Director of Life Long Learning at Netivot Shalom

Table of Contents

It's Almost Chanukah Party on Thursday 12/18 3:45 - 4:45 pm

Family Shabbat Dinner for Kindergarten through 2nd grades on Friday
12/19 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Improvements in School Program / Schedule

Room Parents

Yahoo e-mail list

School Roster

Tel Am materials for Hebrew Bilingual Program

Ora VeSimchah Youth Shabbat Services for 3rd - 5th graders

February 1st Rick Recht Concert

New Door Code / Parking
Family Shabbat Dinner for K-2nd grades on Friday 12/20 6:30 pm
On Friday night December 20th all families with students in the
Kindergarten through 2nd grade Hebrew Bilingual program are invited
to join us for a delicious Shabbat Dinner being catered by Mostly
Molly (Malka Scheinok) Celebrate Shabbat with the other families in
the Kadima School and have a chance to get to know each other and
Rabbi Shalom Bochner, the Director of Life Long Learning, in a relaxed
atmosphere. Welcoming Shabat with singing, Dinner, and shmoozing from
6:00 to 8:00 pm. The cost is $15 per adult, $10 for kids, and $45 for
a family. Please RSVP by pre-paying at the Education Office (upstairs)
by 12/17. For more information, contact Shalom Bochner at 549-9447,
ext 104 or education@netivotshalom.org

There will be monthly family oriented Shabbat dinners starting in January.

It's Almost Chanukah Party on Thursday 12/18 3:45 - 4:45 pm
Come join us for our pre-Channukah party! We will have Dreidles,
Latkes and Channukah singing. Parent volunteers are needed for latke
making, set up and clean up. Call Deborah Lewis as soon as possible at
420-5786 to volunteer to make latkes, set up or clean up.

Improvements in School Program / Schedule
All programs benefit from feedback from the students and parents.
Based on information that was shared at last month's town hall meeting
and a number of other conversations, after the winter break we'll be
improving the school schedule and program to include a longer recess
and snack break, increasing the amount of learning through games,
movement, and hands-on activities, and focussing more on the Hebrew
programs. Please continue to provide suggestions as we refine our
program. We are committed to offering high quality educational
programs and ensuring a warm, meaningful and enjoyable school
environment.

Room Parents
Do you enjoy socializing? Are you interested in supporting our
Shabbat Dinner programs and other social and holiday events? Consider
being a Room Parent! We are looking for parents who can help maximize
the interactions between families in the programs through helping with
events and classroom communication. If you are interested in helping
please be in touch with Shalom in the Education Office or Deborah
Lewis, our Youth / Ed. Chair.

Yahoo e-mail lists
We have created Yahoo e-mail lists for the K-2 Hebrew Bilingual
Program and 3rd-6th grades Kadima School program. These lists will
allow us to more easily send out monthly newsletters and
announcements. If you are not yet on the list please send an e-mail
to: education@netivotshalom.org Since we'll be moving towards
sending out fewer hardcopy newsletters and fliers please make sure
that you are staying informed by being part of these important and
useful list serves.

Tel Am materials for Hebrew Bilingual Program
We have available a wonderful resource for additional Hebrew learning
for the 1st-2nd grade class: the Tel Am Series of books and CD's.
These materials, created in Israel for North American Day Schools, are
available for home use. Please check-out materials at the Education
Office where they are kept. Kids love using these materials!

Ora VeSimchah Youth Shabbat Services for 3rd - 5th graders
This new Shabbat morning program meets at 11:00 - 12:00 in the Library on:
1/31, 2/14, 3/14, 4/25, 5/16. Rabbi Shalom Bochner leads these
Services which include: songs and teffilot, age-appropriate Torah
study, and a Jewish folk tale. Parents are welcome to join us, but
not required; helping your daughter/son get settled is very much
appreciated. Please mark the dates and spread the word!

February 1st Rick Recht Concert
On Sunday February 1st at 4:00 pm Netivot Shalom will be hosting an
amazing concert with Rick Recht. Rick is very well known in the
Jewish summer camp circuit and his song "The Hope" is an incredibly
moving experience. Check out these links for some free music and
information:

http://http://rickrecht.com/cfreedownload08.html
HTTP://WWW.RICKRECHT.COM
HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/RICKRECHT

New Door Code / Parking
We have a new code for the building's front door. Contact the
education office if you need it. Please do not share the new code
with your children. To ensure a safe and legal parking experience
please do not park in the no-parking zones in front of the building.
Thanks!

Family Shabbat Dinner:
On Friday night November 21st all families with students in the 3rd
through 6th grade Kadima School program are invited to join us for a
delicious Shabbat Dinner being catered by Deborah Lewis and Bobby
Drinkard. Celebrate Shabbat with the other families in the Kadima
School and have a chance to get to know Rabbi Shalom Bochner, the new
Director of Life Long Learning, in a relaxed atmosphere. The
teachers, staff, and Madrichot are also invited. Dinner, singing, and
shmoozing from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The cost is $10 per person. Please
RSVP by pre-paying at the Education Office (upstairs) by 11/14. For
more information, contact Shalom Bochner at 549-9447, ext 104 or
education@netivotshalom.org

"Town Hall" Meeting with Shalom on Sunday 11/23 1:00 - 2:00 pm:
This is an open-meeting and discussion for all parents, students, and
Netivot Shalom members to give feedback, suggestions, ask questions,
etc. regarding the Hebrew Bilingual Program, Kadima School, Amitim
Program, Shabbat morning youth activities, youth group, etc.

Tel Am materials for Hebrew Bilingual Program:
We are currently about half way through Zman Likro (Time to Read)
Hebrew series published by A.R.E. in the 1st and 2nd grade and will be
continuing with Volume ll. We also have available a wonderful
resource for additional Hebrew learning for this class: the Tel Am
Series of books and CD's. These materials, created in Israel for
North American Day Schools, are available for home use. Please
check-out materials at the Education Office where they are kept.

Youth Night:
Youth Night III: Saturday evening, November 8 from 7:00-10 pm at
Netivot Shalom. $10 per kid. Netivot Shalom's youth in grades 1-6
have a party while their parents get a date night, with Ga-Ga,
Ping-Pong, Hair & Nail Salon, Dance Dance Revolution, Ice Cream
Sundaes, Arcade Bowling & Pinball and a Giant Projected Movie.
Sponsored by Community Building & Youth Ed Committees. Please RSVP to
Dan Siegel at community@netivotshalom.org Flyer attached. Also, we
still need a couple more parent volunteers and teen volunteers.

Hebrew classes for parents?:
Interested in learning Hebrew while your kids are in Hebrew School? We
are exploring options for a parent hebrew class and have identified a
wonderful teacher who is available. Please contact the Education
Office if you are interested and tell Shalom which night (Tuesday or
Thursday) would be best for you and what you are willing to pay for
Hebrew lessons.

School Calendar / Veteran's Day:
Please note that there is no school on Tuesday 11/11 in honor of Veterans Day.

Welcome Back to School Nights 8/28 and 9/11

Welcome Back to School Night

for students and their parents:

Thursday 8/28

Kadima Religious School (3rd through 6th grade)
6:00 - 7:30

Amitim Bnai Mitzvah Program
7:00 - 8:30

Thursday 9/11

K through 2nd Grade Hebrew Bilingual Program
5:00 - 6:00

Look forward to seeing you all there!

-Shalom

Introducing Shalom Bochner, our new Director of LifeLong Learning

As the new Director of LifeLong Learning at Netivot Shalom, I am extremely excited to be a part of this community and grow the educational opportunities available through the congregation for all children and adults! 

I bring to this new position a passion for meaningful Judaism filled with a love for the yearly holiday cycle, Jewish history, texts, tefillah, and being a part of a vibrant community.  For the last eight years I have worked at Santa Cruz Hillel in various positions as their Executive Director, Campus Rabbi and, Director of Jewish Campus Life.  Previously, I  taught third, fourth, and fifth grade Judaic Studies at the Yavneh Hebrew Day School (Solomon Schechter) in Los Gatos where I was also in charge of daily Tefillah and holiday celebrations.  I am a former Education Director for Congregation Sinai in San Jose and the Regional and Youth Director for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. My formative Jewish experiences happened at Hebrew School and summer camp and I have spent many years working at and directing summer camps including Camp Givah in upstate New York, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, and Camp Solomon Schechter in Olympia, Washington. In my free time I love camping, hiking, biking, listening to and playing music (guitar and drums).

It's been a wonderful experience to move here with my family.  We have been welcomed so warmly by the congregation and our neighbors. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and hearing your ideas about all of our educational programs:  Kadima Hebrew Bilungual (K-2nd Grade), Kadima Religious School (3rd - 6th Grade), Amitim (B'nai Mitzvah), Shabbat B'Yachad and Rimonim on Saturday morning, Rosh Chodesh, Preschool, Midrasha, and the extensive Adult Ed offerings.  I also hope to create a lively Shabbat morning program for third grade and up in addition to expanding and improving the existing programs.  This is clearly an exciting time for Netivot Shalom and I am honored to learn alongside all of you as we put into action the ancient words of Ben Bag Bag (Pirke Avot 5:24):  "Turn it [Torah], turn it, for everything is in it; look deeply into it, grow old and gray over it, do not depart from it. There is no better portion in life than this."  As we work together to fully envision what our lifelong Jewish educational paths should look like here, we know that we can draw on the strengths of tradition, innovation, creativity, and celebration.  I am delighted to walk these sacred and joyous paths together with you.

Shalom Bochner