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We at Temple Kol Ami are very proud of our supplementary school. The school exists to fulfil the commandment of teaching our children the building blocks of their Jewish identities. We do that by:
- Offering a curriculum that includes Hebrew, Jewish history, strong ties to Israel, Holy Days, Tzedakah, Lifecycle, Torah, Midrash, and Jewish ethics.
- Ensuring that our children enjoy a safe environment, where they can learn, make friends, and have fun!
- Developing the literacy skills in prayer required to follow and participate in our religious services.
- Creating programs where our students are challenged to think and create, both in formal and informal settings.
- Helping parents to make connections with other Temple families and strengthening their ties to our synagogue and the greater Jewish community.
At Temple Kol Ami we believe strongly in the value of Jewish education for our children. We strive to impart in them a solid foundation in the basics of Judaism, as well as appreciation of and love for Jewish values and culture.
In order to facilitate learning for the entire family, our Saturday programs are timed to coincide with adult Torah study/breakfast and services. For children too young to attend our programs, we provide babysitting.
Shabbat Family Time
This is a unique program that encourages family participation in education and observance. Our Saturday morning for children in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 7 begins at 9:00 am with families joining together for songs, stories and school announcements. This segment is led by the Rabbi and Chari Schwartz, the Director of Education. At 9:15, the children’s program of Hebrew and religious instruction begins. At the same time, adults can go to the Boardroom to study Torah with Rabbi Gottlieb and then attend services, which begin at 10:30 am. By holding our classes concurrently with Shabbat worship, we encourage family involvement. We hope to instill an awareness of Shabbat sanctity and joy in our children. Our Saturday school programs continue through the morning and finish roughly at the same time as Shabbat service.
Hebrew School
Our Hebrew education begins in grade 1 with instruction commencing on Shabbat mornings. Children in grade 3 and above attend Hebrew classes on Wednesday afternoons or evenings as well as on Saturday mornings.
Extracurricular Activities
A varied range of programming complements our weekly classes, including Drama and Art Special Interest groups, Sign Language instruction, our Young People’s Choir, the Rikudiyah (Israeli Dance) Group, and a Bible Contest Team.
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At Temple Kol Ami, we are dedicated to providing depth and breadth in Jewish education. The Education committee, in parternship with the Director of Education strives to impart knowledge and to instill a strong and positive Jewish identity in our children. We believe that religious education is best transmitted in a partnership between the synagogue and the home. Our Rabbi and our teachers work with parents and children, serving as educators and role models. Many of our teachers are members of the congregation, and graduates of our school serve as student teachers and assistants. We are a group of committed parents, who believe that the best thing we can do for our children is to prepare them for adulthood through a solid education.
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Temple Kol Ami is committed to life-long learning, with an active Adult Education program that is an essential component of our overall goal of a "Living Judaism". Seminars, mini-courses and private study are led by our Rabbi, guest scholars and by members. These sessions focus on timely, relevant topics related to Jewish philosophy, traditions and ethics. Adult Hebrew study and B'nai Mitzvah classes are also available.
Adult Education offerings have also included:
- Lecture series held at !ndigo Bookstores
- Monthly book club and discussion forum
- Scholar-in-residence weekend programs
- Seasonal family and adult retreats
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