Education

Religious School Mission Statement

The Religious School seeks to contribute to each student's moral and ethical education and to provide our graduates with the knowledge and desire to lead an active adult Jewish life.  Towards that end, Temple Beth Ami's Religious School is committed to providing an educational program that encourages the development of children, youth and adults who:

1. Affirm their Jewish identity and bind themselves inseparable to the values and morals of the Jewish people by work and deed.

2. Bear witness to the Brit (the covenant between God and the Jewish people) through the practice of Mitzvot (commandments) as studied in Torah and the classis Jewish literature it has generated and interpreted in light of historic developments.

3. Affirm their historic bond to Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel.

4. Cherish and study Hebrew, the language of the Jewish people as it relates to Tefilah (prayer).

5. Further the causes of justice, freedom, and peace by pursuing Tzedek (righteousness), Mishpat (justice), Chesed (loving deeds), and Tikkun Olam (healing the world).

6. Celebrate Shabbat and the festivals and observe the Jewish Life Cycle Ceremonies marking significant occasions in their lives.

7. Esteem their own person and the person of others; their own family and the family of others; their own community and the community of others.

8. Express kinship with K'Lal Ysrael (the Jewish people) by actively seeking the welfare of Jews throughout the world.

9. Support and participate in the life of the Synagogue.

At Temple Beth Ami, we feel that Jewish education is one of the most important elements of our congregation.  We offer several programs for children, teens, and adults.  Click here for Sunday School and Religious School tuition and enrolment forms.

Our Mommy & Me program (ages 15 months to 30 months) meets at the Temple twice a month on Fridays for 90 minutes. Children will learn about holidays, participate in arts and crafts projects, enjoy challah and juice, and play with other children.

Our Preschool is open five days a week. Children can enroll for five days or combinations of less than five days. The preschool serves children the ages of 2 to 5 years.  For information regarding enrollment, appointments with the director, classroom observation, fees and schedules, please call Sherrie Zadok, preschool director at 661-255-6410.  A message can be left at voice mail box #4, and your call will be returned promptly if Sherrie is not in the office. Click here for more information about our Preschool program.

Our Sunday School begins at age 5. Sunday School is a fun introduction to Judaism, teaching holiday rituals and basic history, introducing the Hebrew language beginning with the Aleph Bet, and using songs, arts & crafts, and play activities to interest the students. Click here for the Sunday School curriculum.

Formal Religious/Hebrew School training begins at age 9 or grade 4, with a comprehensive, professionally developed 4-year curriculum, designed to have the student ready for Bar/Bat Mitzvah by age 13.  We teach Jewish literature, history, and culture, as well as the Hebrew language.  We aim to imbue the child with a love of God and our traditions, pride in our heritage, a knowledge of holidays, music, and art, and an appreciation of Israel and of Jewish values.  Religious School classes are held twice a week. Click here for the Religious/Hebrew School curriculum.

For post-B'nai Mitzvot, a Confirmation class is offered. In addition, Temple Beth Ami offers Adult Education classes and an Adult B'nai Mitzvah program.

If you need more information regarding our Education programs, please contact education@templebethami.org.

Our Education Staff

Our Administrator

Teri Knafla came to Temple Beth Ami with an extensive background in Administration.  This will be her 6^th year as the Administrator and Principal of both the Religious school and Sunday school. Teri adheres to the school's mission statement and keeps the lines of communication open between students, parents, and the Education Committee, as well as the community at large.  Teri leads the teachers' staff meetings and reports to the Education Committee.  She plans and organizes all school activities including the school's Passover and Tu B'Shevat Seders, Chanukah and Purim parties, and other school programs. Teri is a member of the Education committee and Temple Beth Ami's Sisterhood.  Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Teri now lives in Saugus with her husband, Harry, and their son.  In her spare time, Teri enjoys running and cooking for family and friends.

Our Teachers

Dov Hack was born in Poland, raised in Israel, and has lived in the U.S. since 1968.  He went to college in Connecticut, where he also taught Hebrew School.  Having been a member of Temple Beth Ami for seven years, Dov has taught every level of Hebrew in our Religious school and Sunday school programs and currently teaches Hebrew in our Sunday school.  Dov is an engineer by profession.  His hobbies include hiking and riding his bike.  Dov and his wife Sandy live in Valencia, and have two grown children.

Jackie Davis was born and raised near Chicago, and received her B.A. in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University.  During her summers off from college, she worked as a summer camp counselor at Beth Tikvah Congregation.  Jackie and her husband, Norm, moved to Albuquerque, N.M. where she studied at the University of New Mexico and received her M.A. in Linguistics.  Jackie and her family have been members of Temple Beth Ami for eight years.  She has been on the Temple's education committee for a number of years, and currently teaches the Religious school's level 1 Judaica class.  She is also a member of Temple Beth Ami's Sisterhood.    Jackie, her husband, and their 4 children live in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Evalyn Ticknor was born and raised in Israel.  She lives in Stevenson Ranch with her husband and three daughters. Evalyn has been involved with Jewish studies for many years and she is happy to be back teaching after a long hiatus.  Her goal is for students to really get a feel for the Hebrew language as well as learn all of the prayers and rituals necessary for Bar or Bat Mitzvah.  She emphasizes not only the studying of prayers but also their importance and meaning.  When she's not here teaching, Evalyn is usually busy chauffeuring her girls around Santa Clarita!  Evalyn's family has known Rabbi Blazer for many years and she feel fortunate to have the opportunity to teach at Temple Beth Ami.

Anna Kassin was born in Brooklyn, NY into a family with EIGHT brothers and sisters. She stayed local and went to college at Central Yeshivah in Brooklyn. Anna now lives in Canyon Country and works at West Ranch High School, Or Emet, and Temple Beth Ami. In her spare time Anna likes to dance and go to the gym to work out. She recommends the Chicken Soup series of books and baseball is her favorite sport.  Anna has six children and eleven grandchildren. Her favorite Jewish holiday is Pesach.

Our Classroom Aide

Avi Horn helps with the level 2 Hebrew class.  He has tutored Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and has traveled to Israel, having lived in Israel for one year.  Avi will be attending California State University-Northridge in the fall, majoring in Psychology and Film.  Although his studies keep him busy, Avi enjoys drawing, and being with his family and friends.  He lives in the Santa Clarita Valley.

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Quick Links

TBA to help support Homeless
SCV Children and their families.

See the 'walls come down'
as people of different faiths
come together to tackle our
local problem of homelessness.

Find out more at
http://www.familypromisescv.org