Beth El Academy

Our religious school seeks to create a positive learning experience for the children of our congregation. Our warm and caring teaching staff helps guide each student in their quest for Jewish learning and observance. The entire staff is dedicated to making the Academy experience a positive one for all the students.

Classes for students in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:00-6:00 PM On Sunday our seventh and eighth graders meet from 10:00 AM-12 Noon.

Shabbat morning offers a special and unique experience with our very successful Jr. Congregation program, that meets from 10:15 AM to 11:45 AM each Saturday morning during the school year. Mr. Ed Schneider captivates our students with his unique approach to prayer, Shabbat and our Jewish tradition.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

At Beth El Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a major milestone for all the members of the family. This experience is an opportunity to connect more deeply with Jewish life and to our synagogue community. The entire staff is eager to support our families in every way possible to ensure a successful and meaningful Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates are scheduled roughly 3 years in advance. Instruction usually begins 10 months before the simcha.

Hazzan Stephen Stein teaches each of our Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. He is there to help both and students and their families prepare for this special occasion.

Rabbi Grundfast meets with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah families a few months prior to the ceremony to help the parents in their planning as well as work on the Torah speech with the student.

Confirmation class

Rabbi Grundfast teaches our Confirmation Class. The class is offered in the student’s tenth grade year and meets once a week during the school year. The students must also attend the community Hebrew High School. At the end of the year a Confirmation class service is held where the students lead the service.

Adult Learning

Lunch and Learn

Once a month at 12 Noon beginning each fall, a one-hour class is held at the law offices of Goldman and Rosen, 11 S. Forge Street. Lunch is offered for $10 and must be reserved before the day of the class. Pirke Avot, the Sayings of the Rabbis is the study text which creates a lively discussion. The dates for this year’s class are September 14; October 12; November 9; December 14; January 11; February 8; March 8; April 12; May 10

Talmud Class

Rabbi Grundfast presents the ancient wisdom and teachings of the Talmudic rabbis. The class meets on Sunday mornings from 10:45 AM to 12 Noon and our text is Massechet Berachot, which concentrates on discussions of prayer, synagogue rituals and home observances. This year’s class will begin on November 12. For any questions or additional information you may contact Rabbi Grundfast at 330.864.2105×114.

Torah Tidbits

Every Friday night Rabbi Grundfast offers a short insight into the Torah portion that will be read the next morning.