Beit Sefer Chadash "The New School"
Am Tikvah (the people of hope) prioritize Youth programming and education. Our teaching philosophy first focuses on students becoming proficient in traditional Shabbat and holiday prayers. We teach Torah stories, Jewish concepts, songs, and holiday observance through fun activities. We aim 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.
Sunday School takes place on the first three Sundays of the month. On the fourth weekend of the month, we have a Saturday evening Mincha service, Havdalah, and spaghetti dinner together as a community. This Saturday evening program focuses on the accomplishments of one grade each month. That class is involved in leading the service. This program runs from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. The entire Am Tikvah community is invited and the service is followed by spaghetti dinner together.
Our Staff
Cantor Barry Reich is our Director of Education. 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 one of our experienced B’nai Mitzvah tutors.
Talya K. Brass is our Youth Programs Director (and Executive Director). She is a parent of two Beit Sefer Chadash children and has been active in Am Tikvah leadership for a decade. She is currently finishing her MA in Anthropology at SFSU while also creating a Diversity & Inclusion program through the PTO of her son’s elementary school.
Anna Bleviss Whitlatch is our Early Childhoood Arts Specialist. She grew up in the Am Tikvah legacy community and teaches throughout San Francisco.
Benjamin Kassel is our Middle Grades teacher. He is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley and plans to pursue his Masters in Education. He is a caring and devoted second generation educator. He also plays trombone and was mentored by Cantor Barry Reich in his youth.
Our Curriculum
Sunday school curriculum incorporates Hebrew learning and emphasizes Holidays, rituals, and Jewish values. We use the Make Create Celebrate curriculum for TK - 2nd grade. The Kol Yisrael curriculum for 3rd - 7th grade is split into Aleph, Bet, and Gimmel levels. Third through 8th graders learn some Hebrew on Sundays and also attend weekly evening Hebrew intensive (and fun) class via Zoom
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The 8th - 9th grade have a more free-form class one weeknight per month. They learn comparative religion, cults, mindfulness, Jewish connectivity, Hebrew, and meet other Bay Area teens through collaborative programming.
Tuition
Tuition is $725 for the first child and $580 for each additional child (20% sibling discount). With over sixty hours of instruction throughout the year, this fee is subsidized for all families by the Am Tikvah community.
Registration is online. Upon registration, you will be prompted to pay either in full, quarterly, or monthly. There is no fee for any option. Dues-paying members are eligible for scholarships. Am Tikvah Sisterhood has generously offered these scholarship funds. Todah Rabah! Thank you very much!
You do not need to be a member of Am Tikvah to enroll your child for their first year of Beit Sefer Chadash. Come give it a try! We look forward to getting to know your whole family, and you are welcome to join the synagogue at any time during the year.
Our wonderful Youth Education Committee is comprised of community parents who oversee programming and make sure everything is extra fun and special for our children. Together, we are building a fresh Jewish community on the South side of SF, and there are many opportunities to make an impact on the SF Jewish landscape.
We hope you’ll join us!
B’shalom,
Cantor Barry Reich Talya K. Brass
breich@amtikvah.org tbrass@amtikvah.org
