Beit Sefer Chadash
Am Tikvah (the people of hope) prioritize Youth programming and education. Ourteaching 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 our ancestors and their lessons play a part in our daily lives. Children learn Hebrew and how to participate in services.
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 Programming Director. She is a parent of two Beit Sefer Chadash children and has been active in the Am Tikvah (and B’nai Emunah) leadership for many years. She is currently finishing her MA in Anthropology at SFSU while also creating a Diversity & Inclusion program through the PTO of her children’s elementary school.
First day of school
Sunday, 9/18/22
10 am - 12 pm
Brotherhood Way
Our Curriculum
Sunday school curriculum incorporates Hebrew learning and takes place on the first three Sundays of the month. We use the Make Create Celebrate curriculum for TK - 2nd grade. We use the Kol Yisrael curriculum for 3rd - 7th grade, which is split into Aleph, Bet, and Gimmel levels. Third, fourth, and fifth grades also attend a weekday Hebrew class via Zoom. The 6 - 7th graders learn Hebrew on Sundays (no extra
weekdays). The 8th - 9th grade will have a more free-form class (Sundays only) learning comparative religion, cults, mindfulness, Jewish connectivity, and Hebrew.
On the fourth weekend of the month, we will have a Saturday evening Mincha service, Havdalah, and spaghetti dinner together as a community. This Saturday 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.
Tuition
Tuition for Beit Sefer Chadash for Am Tikvah’s first full year is the same as pre-COVID, $725 per child. This fee is subsidized for all families by the Am Tikvah community. Registration is online. Upon registration, there are options to pay in full, pay a deposit, or 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.
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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
breich7320@aol.com