VBS Etz Chaim Hebrew School attempts to provide students with frequent interactive learning experiences. We recognize that individuals learn through different media and, therefore, utilize a variety of teaching techniques as well as provide the students with opportunities for expression through dance, music, drama and art. We endeavor to instill a sense of Jewish confidence and competence in each child through participation in the Jewish community and connection to Jewish people around the world. Our hope is to graduate students who will continue their pursuit of Jewish growth and learning.

In the Dalet year, the students begin to prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. They learn and discuss prayers from the synagogue service in class and during weekly study with the Cantor. Special workshops relating to Bar/Bat Mitzvah are held during the year as well. Dalet students have the opportunity to partake in the study of Jewish texts, life cycle events and the history of Israel. During the Dalet year, the students receive an adult siddur to be used at their Bar/Bat Mitzvah, which is marked by a beautiful Siddur ceremony.

* *Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. or Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.**
** Some Shabbat and Sunday programs are required.
 

The long standing tradition that each year the students donate a gift to the synagogue or other community agency, which they create with the help of the art specialist, has been another of the many highlights of the graduating Hei class.

Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. or Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.**
** Some Shabbat and Sunday programs are required.

Eighth and ninth graders in the Midrasha program are given the opportunity to explore their own Jewish identity in the context of the events taking place in our world. Through lively discussions and exciting activities, students are challenged to examine how the values and ethics Judaism teaches relate to their lives today.

NOTE: Midrasha students have the option to enroll in special Bureau of Jewish Education programs and weekend encampments sponsored by our own United Synagogue Youth Department. Information regarding these programs and registration will be given to Midrasha students upon enrollment in our own Midrasha program. The classroom and weekend experiences are designed to encourage the students to express themselves and retain their individuality while studying, praying and socializing within a peer group community.

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The tenth grade year offers a unique chance to study a wide array of topics. One hour each week is spent with the Hebrew School Interm Principal, Afrat Cohen Shamash, learning about the Jewish concept of responsibility in the face of our current reality through various media and techniques. Students are presented with dilemmas of everyday life and must grapple with these using a range of Jewish sources for support. The other hour is lead by Rabbi Ed Feinstein, who examines court cases relating to ethical issues with the tenth grade students using a book entitled "Talmud of Our Times." Students who are enrolled in the Midrasha program are eligible to participate in the Confirmation ceremony at VBS, which takes place at the culmination of the tenth grade year of study.

In the eleventh and twelfth grades, students attend a seminar twice a month led by Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis and Rabbi Ed Feinstein. During the course of the seminar, students not only receive the rare opportunity for intimate discussions with the Rabbis about a variety of crucial topics, but have the ability to develop the coursework in conjunction with the Rabbis to reflect their own needs and interests. Because of the unique structure of these evenings, they reflect mutual growth and meaning in both the lives of the students and Rabbis.

Periodically throughout the year, special programs are conducted jointly between Midrasha and USY (United Synagogue Youth) which deal with the pertinent issues affecting the teenage world today. Students have the opportunity to hear experts in the field speak on important topics and participate in programs which are given Jewish relevance, such as AIDS, the Holocaust, environmental awareness, combating cults, Jews and addiction, suicide prevention, effective communication between teens and their parents, teen stress and anti-Semitism.

Valley Beth Shalom is proud to offer a wide variety of age appropriate school trips to many exciting and interesting places throughout the Los Angeles area Younger grades enjoy excursions to the Skirball Cultural Center where they have guided tours focusing on Jewish holiday celebrations around the world or the Torah and Temple in Jerusalem. At Pesach, some classes take a trip to the Chabad Matzah Factory where they learn about the process of making matzah and wine and actually bake their own matzah at the conclusion of the visit Older classes are also fortunate to visit the Skirball Cultural Center where they learn about Jewish life cycle rituals Each year the He: class takes a trip to the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance.

Unique in Jewish education in the country, the VBS Etz Chaim Hebrew School provides an online education program for the students of our Hebrew School. Periodically throughout the year, curricular material and educational opportunities are sent directly to students of the school via e-mail. These communications are tailored to grade level and offer the opportunity for communication between the school and Hebrew School families, as well as between the teachers them selves and their students. Students and their families are encouraged to explore websites of interest and thereby gain greater knowledge of their Judaism through this "cutting edge" educational program.

Shaare Tikva is a unique one day a week program which offers a Jewish education to children with special learning needs. The program provides highly individualized instruction in Jewish history, culture and celebrations in a small group setting. In addition, Shaare Tikva trains and prepares children for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 am.

Each student is permitted to progress at his/her own pace through the material appropriate to his/her particular grade level. The study of Hebrew language allows the students to acquire a basic Hebrew vocabulary and synagogue reading skills. In addition, a special Siddur has been compiled for the class in order to help the students learn various prayers from the synagogue's service.