Am Tikvah School

Religious School on Sunday Mornings at Congregation Am Tikvah

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Congregation Am Tikvah (translated from Hebrew as community of the people of hope) prioritizes programming and education for youth and families as a way of looking toward the future. Our teaching philosophy aims for children to get age-appropriate notions of how the lessons of our ancestors play a part in our daily lives. Children learn Hebrew and how to participate in services.  We teach students to become proficient in traditional Shabbat and holiday prayers, while also learning Torah stories, Jewish concepts, songs, and holiday observance. Our wonderful teachers convey these lessons through experiential activities, crafts, and targeted lessons.

Sunday School takes place on Sundays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. On the last Friday of each month at 6:00 pm, families and children attend community Friday Family Shabbat Services and Spaghetti Potluck. This part of the religious school program focuses on the accomplishments of one grade each month. That class is involved in leading the service. The entire Am Tikvah community is invited to this monthly inter-generational gathering that includes dinner afterward in our Social Hall. Hebrew is offered in online classes commensurate with their level, one afternoon each week to children in 3rd grade and up (talk to the office if your child wants to begin learning Hebrew at a younger age).

Our Staff

Rabbi Chayva Lehrman is the spiritual leader of Congregation Am Tikvah and completed her rabbinic studies at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. She designs the curriculum of the Am Tikvah School to grow in depth as children advance through the program. She always has an eye and ear for the spark within each child.

Samantha Martin (aka Sam) serves as the Youth Education Administrator for the Am Tikvah School. She is a parent and passionate advocate for Jewish education. Her daughter is starting third grade at Brandeis and is a self-proclaimed "shul kid" that you'll see running around regularly. 

Talya K. Brass coordinates logistics for B’nai Mitzvah and Tots programs. She is a parent of an Am Tikvah School student and a post-B'nai Mitzvah teen and has been active in legacy Am Tikvah leadership for over a decade. She has degrees in both religion and anthropology and has worked in event coordination for her entire adult life.

Nitza Agam assists in curriculum development and lesson planning and is a longtime Bay Area Jewish educator.  

Cantor Barry Reich teaches the eldest grade of 6^th – 8^th graders. Here is an article that has more information about his background. He is a talented musician, Jewish song leader, and is incredibly kind, patient, and wise. He is also our lead B’nai Mitzvah educator.

Anna Bleviss Whitlatch teaches the 2^nd – 3^rd graders and specializes in early childhood arts education. She grew up in the Am Tikvah legacy community and teaches throughout San Francisco. 

Orr Agam teaches the 4^th - 5^th graders and is a veteran Jewish educator who has taught in many Jewish institutions throughout San Francisco and the Peninsula. 

Dr. Jennifer Levine teaches Hebrew lessons to the Am Tikvah children and has worked in Jewish education for twenty years. She has a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on disability justice and inclusion. She has been an educator at many institutions throughout the Bay Area, lives in Alameda, has two grown children, and enjoys riding her bike.