Lama means why in Hebrew.
Our school is the place to ask questions.
Jewish education is the key ingredient of Jewish continuity, as one generation passes on its wisdom to the next. We believe that Jewish education focused on Jewish culture and heritage develops a meaningful Jewish identity.
We are proud to create an environment for the honest questioning of life’s essential issues. There are no unthinkable thoughts nor any unaskable questions. Only in this way can we hope that our children eventually will become freethinking individuals who affirmatively take ownership of their Jewish identity.
Kindergarten -Second Grade
Our primary students are on a three-year curricular rotation to cover kindergarten, and first and second grades. The curriculum includes Bible stories, Jewish identity, and mitzvot or good deeds as they learn to become good people by being the youngest participants in tikkun olam or repairing the world and making it a better place. They learn about the Jewish holidays throughout as well.
Middle School
Middle school students are also on a three-year curricular rotation. This class studies European Jewish history, American Jewish history and immigration, and Yiddish culture. Seventh and eighth grade students are privileged to have a full year of Holocaust studies This curriculum spans the years 1914 through 1948 and gives middle school students first-hand accounts of the experiences of a variety of people in Europe. In addition, the students visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie. The students literally become the witnesses to the Holocaust, and therefore bear the important responsibility to remember, retell and do whatever they can to prevent injustice, prejudice and ultimately genocide.
Third - Fifth Grade
Third through Fifth Grades Focus
Our third through fifth grade students are on a three-year curricular rotation. In the first year, they study Jewish heroes and history. Jewish children need a cultural literacy about their heritage, and role models to whom they can look when confronted with difficult issues in their lives. A hero is not an idol, and not simply someone who is outstanding in his or her field. Rather a true hero is someone who has overcome an obstacle to succeed, set an important moral or ethical example, or led his or her community in a different and better direction. In the second year, these students study the Jewish life cycle from birth to death; and Jewish literature, including the Bible, Talmud, midrash and contemporary stories. In the third year of the rotation, they focus on “Here and There” with Chicago being the “here” and Israel being the “there.” They learn Chicago Jewish history in the first half of the year, and in the second half, Israel from a cultural perspective, both in historic and modern times.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation
One-year learn to read Hebrew program, in conjunction with Bar/Bat Mitzvah (B Mitzvah) preparation culminating in a B Mitzvah ceremony
Distance Learning
Beth Chaverim offers an innovative and exciting educational opportunity for people who live more than fifty miles from us. The Beth Chaverim Distance Learning Program (“DLP”) allows grade school and middle school students to have a Humanistic Jewish education even if their hometown does not offer the appropriate opportunities. Through the DLP, written materials as well as projects that are grade level appropriate are sent to the student to be completed and returned to the school. Those students who are able are requested to attend Sunday school once a month; for others for whom the distance is too great for monthly attendance, they are encouraged to attend three programs during the school year; and for those for whom the distance is prohibitive, the entire program will be offered via email and regular mail. All supplies, including books and craft project materials will be provided. There is a separate DLP charge that includes membership in Beth Chaverim.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Carolyn & Dan L.
We were so thrilled with all three of our children's B’Mitzvahs. For many reasons, it was exciting to share our Humanistic Judaism with our family and friends through both the thoughtful explanations shared by Rabbi Jodi and the readings and songs led by our closest family members. It was an extremely personalized and meaningful event, far beyond traditional memorization and recitation.
Robin C.
Beth Chaverim Humanistic Jewish Community provided an experience for our family that we were unable to get anywhere else. Ultimately all three of our kids went through the bar/bat mitzvah program at Beth Chaverim, even holding one intimately in our dining room.
Rhea P.
Thank you for a wonderful session today. I really appreciate your thoughtful, detailed answers. Your love of teaching shines through!