Shaare Torah is part of the Conservative Jewish movement, and our program is dedicated to fostering a positive Jewish identity in our children with activities that are appropriate for their developmental stage and that enhance their curiosity about the world around them. Jewish values, rituals, principles and traditions are carefully woven into daily classroom life.

The children will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of their religious identity through the celebration of Shabbat, arts and crafts, story telling, drama, Jewish music, the basics of Hebrew language and prayer, the delight and joy of Jewish holidays and foods and cultural heritage. We believe that Judaism is best taught by example and through an experiential process.

Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal participates in the nursery school as a consultant and teacher, and he is a frequent visitor to the classroom. He is involved in many of the religious activities and holiday celebrations.

Contact the Pam or Bonnie for more information about any of our programs or to set up a tour of the school.

This new transitional two’s class is geared for children who will be two years old by February 1, 2009. For the fall semester, the class will have one teacher along with parent participation. After winter break, an additional teacher will join the class and the students will begin the transition process to having parents leave them in class. This class is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your child to the Jewish nursery school experience in a warm, nurturing environment. The program offers opportunities for socialization and introduces children to activities such as circle time, music, arts and crafts, and snack time.  They will also be introduced to Jewish holidays, songs and traditions.  In addition, parenting topics will be discussed each week.

Download more information.

Contact the Pam or Bonnie for more information or to register.

Our program is committed to helping each child develop emotionally, socially, physically and intellectually.  We believe each child is important and must be respected as a unique individual with particular care paid to the development of their self-esteem.

Through games, music, manipulative materials, craft activities and creative movement, we seek to give our children a broader and deeper understanding and appreciation of the exciting world in which they live. Our emergent curriculum is based on “play.”  Childhood is the time when children learn social skills, how to express themselves and work well with others.  We stress cooperation where the children can learn how to accomplish projects together, problem solve and learn to be a contributing member of a larger group.

We combine the best of Jewish content with early childhood social, emotional and cognitive development programs.  With each year of nursery school, we are preparing your child to enter the public/private school environment with tools such as self-esteem, confidence, independence and a willingness to accept new challenges along the way.  We also hope the close relationship between your home and our school becomes a source of enduring friendships and a foundation for continued participation in our synagogue community.

Contact the Pam or Bonnie for more information about any of our programs or to set up a tour of the school.

***FOR CHILDREN IN OUR 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD CLASSES ONLY***

We are excited to be able to offer several weeks of enrichment classes this fall to be held at our school on Mondays through Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. These classes are an optional addition to our nursery school program designed to introduce our children to many new and different activities. Instructors will be teachers from our program as well from outside of our school. Your child's participation is optional, but we encourage you to have him/her participate in at least one class as we plan to have lots of fun!

The fall session enrichment classes include:

MONDAY – WHAT’S JEWISH ABOUT ART?
Every week children will learn about a new famous Jewish artist. Different media will be explored to help children create their own works of art. To set the mood and provide inspiration we will either read a story or listen to different types of Jewish music from all over the world. By the end of the session the children will have created a diverse portfolio. The art gallery will be open to the public and all of the masterpieces will be shown to the families. The exhibit promises to be an amazing and exciting event for the whole family.
Classes will meet September 15, 22, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 10, 17, 24. Note: There will be no enrichment class on Monday, November 3.

TUESDAY - SUPER SCIENCE
This class will demonstrate to children how science affects them each day. We will explore the world around us through many fun and interesting experiments. Your child will learn about solutions, mixtures, and reactions through a hands-on approach to science!
Classes will meet September 16, 23, October 7, October 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25.

WEDNESDAY - HEBREW AND KARATE
Children will receive 45 minutes of Hebrew and 45 minutes of Karate instruction each week.

• Hebrew – Exposure to a new language at an early age will make it easier to learn, so why not expose your child to Hebrew through this innovative enrichment program. Children will learn everyday Hebrew vocabulary through games and activities and receive early exposure to Hebrew letters and their sounds. By the end of the class, you may find that they are starting to speak Hebrew at home! Children will be divided into two groups, one for those who were enrolled last school year and one for new students.
• Karate -- Taught by an amazing black belt karate instructor, children will learn basic karate instruction. The activities will be geared toward increasing their concentration and attention span as well as improving their motor skills.

Classes will meet September 17, 24, October 29, November 5, 12, 19.

THURSDAY– CAFÉ KEF
Café Kef – Café Kef is back again! By popular demand, we are offering this wonderful cooking class created by our very own in-house chef! Kef is a Hebrew slang word for fun and that is just what our children will have! The children will create healthy Jewish and International dishes, and every recipe made will be assembled into your child's first cookbook. Students will learn kitchen safety, measuring, textures, consistencies and much much more while we make and bake delicious foods together.
Classes will meet September 18, 25, October 2, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20.

PLEASE NOTE:

• CLASSES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
• THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP SESSIONS AND NO REFUNDS FOR CLASSES MISSED DUE TO ILLNESS, VACATION, WEATHER, ETC.
• PICK UP TIME FOR THESE CLASSES IS 2:00 pm SHARP.

Download the application now!

* All classes are subject to change.

Shaare Torah runs several programs for preschool aged children and their families. These are great opportunities to meet other families
with children, enjoy Shabbat, and spend time as a family in a Jewish environment. All are welcome and encouraged to participate!

Shabbat Services
There are Shabbat services every Saturday at 9:30 am at the Synagogue. The Torah service starts at approximately 10:15 am when younger children are invited to help open the ark. Each child is given a miniature “Torah” and joins the Torah procession followed by a special story or singing time with Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal. While children are always welcome in services, babysitting is also available in a separate room from 10:00 until the end of services at 12:00 pm.

Tot Shabbat
Preschoolers and their families joyously celebrate Shabbat at our once-a-month “Tot Shabbat” service. After the Torah parade and Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal’s song or story during the main service, children are invited to their own service. Using short prayers, songs, stories and movement, preschoolers and parents celebrate Shabbat as a community. The “Tot Shabbat” service takes place on the second Saturday of each month at about 10:30 am.

Friday Night Service for Families with Young Children
Once a month on Friday evenings, the synagogue holds special early services for families with preschool aged children. Starting at 5:30 pm, the service includes familiar prayers, songs and a story. It is followed by a special Kiddush and snack.

Mommy & Me
Shaare Torah Nursery School offers “Mommy & Me” classes that meet once a week for children ages one year through 18 months. This program is modeled after a nursery school class. Activities include music, art activities, Shabbat and holiday celebrations and more. This class is excellent preparation for the nursery school program for children who are not yet two. Contact the director for more information or to register.

Download more information.