Alison Siegel Lewin, Director of Education

Dear Emanuel Families, Shanah tovah! I hope this message finds you well and happily enjoying the first crisp days of fall. As we return to the full swing of the school year, classes are underway with some exciting new additions/changes to our faculty. 

As a Religious School, we are constantly striving to find new and better ways to make Jewish and Hebrew education accessible, effective, and enjoyable for our students. This past year, we transitioned to a new Hebrew language curriculum that has our students reading and engaging with the language more effectively than ever. However, we are still limited in our ability to develop our students’ language skills because we only meet for Hebrew once each week. The school committee and I have considered several options for increasing our students’ Hebrew skills. With a keen awareness of the hectic schedules of our students and their families, we truly did not want to ask for any additional time on Sundays or Tuesdays, or to meet an additional session each week. We’re also aware that ‘Hebrew homework’ is very difficult to accomplish. That said, it’s a fact that the frequency of exposure to a language has a significant impact on the development of its language skills.

That is why we’re working to integrate our Jewish and Hebrew studies curricula. --More--

Office Hours:  The school office is open on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  You can reach us by calling the synagogue office at 773-561-5173, ext. 22.  We are also always available via email: Alison Lewin at schooldirector@emanuelcong.org and Myra Wagner at mwagner@emanuelcong.org. In case of an emergency, please call 312-772-5031 and leave a message for Alison. 

2011-12 School Calendar  *    School Drop-off and Pick-up  
Emergency Closings     *        Snacks     *     Allergies
Handicapped Parking   *       Other Parking       

Religious School, for all students, is held on Sundays, September through May. Hebrew School is for 3rd through 7th graders and is held on Tuesdays. Curriculum The curriculum is designed to convey the full richness of Jewish experience and observance. --more--

Sundays: 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Tuesdays: 4:30-6:00 p.m. 
      
2011-12 Calendar  *  2011-12 Faculty  *
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Students  *  Confirmation Class
Special Holiday Programs  * Transportation  *  Inclement Weather

Music. Ruth Seidner , our music director, spends a half-hour on Sundays with each class, teaching both Hebrew and contemporary Jewish songs. Children look forward to Ruth's class!
Junior Choir 
High Holy Day Programming
Early Services/Share-Shabbat Dinner
Youth Groups
Religious School Email Annoucements
If you would like to receive Religious School e-mail announcements, e-mail: emanuelbulletin@emanuelcong.org  
Summer Camp

Tu BiSh'vat volunteers needed! Please contact Alison Lewin.
Share-Shabbat Dinner, February 10. Reservations@emanuelcong.org

Sunday, February 5

Join us as the 6th Grade leads an observance of the New Year for Trees. Volunteers are needed--please contact Alison Lewin, Director of the Religious School, by email or at 773/561-5173. 

Celebrate the Festival of Trees with Resources at the Union for Reform Judaism.

Yes, we need parent volunteers
for the Religious School Community!
In order to make our traffic flow, we need parent volunteers to help with Sunday school and Tuesday Religious School traffic. Please sign up here.

Share-Shabbat Family Service and Dinner
Family Service and Share-Shabbat Dinner:
Friday, February 10, 2012.  6:30 pm Service and 7:15 pm Dinner.

Don’t miss the swinging sounds of Emanuel’s own Ham-it-Up Band. The cost is $7 per person if you bring a dish, $10 per person without a dish to share. Kids under age four are always free!  To reserve your place, call the Emanuel office at (773) 561-5173 or send an email to reservations@emanuelcong.org.

Next Share-Shabbat:  March 9 (2nd and 3rd Grades participate in services)

Saturdays
9:30 am 
February 4 ~ March 31 ~ April 28
Designed for families with infants, toddlers and pre-school age children to delight in the joy of Shabbat. Cantor Shelly Friedman brings a unique, creative, music-filled mini-service and Judaic art project to our families with young children. As always, our programs are open to the community.  

Sundays, 10:00--11:30 am
March 25, 2012
Got little ones? Join us for the Emanuel playgroup,a once-a-month social gathering for families and their children, infant through kindergarten. An opportunity to let your children play while you connect with other parents, old friends and new! We hope to see you there! For more information, contact Emily Miller.

 Synagogue Director Sara Beth Salzman will be present at Emanuel on the following Sundays during Religious School. If you would like to meet with her, please email her to set up a time.

February 5, 2012 ~ March 4, 2012 Purim Carnival  ~  April 15, 2012
May 6, 2012  ~  May 20th, 2012