Academic and Social Programs

Our Programs

Oseh Shalom students are “living the learning” in an experiential framework.

Lessons are significant to your child’s sense of Jewish identity and are provided in a positive environment. Weekly electives include multi-sensory and hands-on activities that include cooking, art, and Modern Hebrew as a way to experience Jewish culture. Outside the classroom, learning continues through family Shabbat services and dinners, chuggim, mitzvot, and field trips. We celebrate community in an authentic and creative way.

Lower School Upper School/Teen Programming Bar/Bat Mitzvah Prep

Lower School

Pre-K meets twice a month, on Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Grades K-2nd meet on Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Grades 3rd-5th meet on Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

ShalomLearning: The ShalomLearning program includes classroom and online components, as well as one-on-one tutoring. On Sundays, students learn about Jewish traditions, values, and history through classroom lessons that incorporate technology-based instruction. During the week, students work independently on learning Hebrew and prayers through self-paced online lessons. Once-a-week, students will meet with their teacher via, Skype, Google Hangouts, or FaceTime. to reinforce their independent learning. Online learning schedules are flexible.

Grade 6 meets on Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

This Hebrew class will focus on prayers from the Saturday morning service. Emphasis will be placed on proper prayer pronunciation and deeper prayer meaning/connections. These students will also learn Torah cantillation and Jewish history. They will do one-on-one Hebrew midweek tutoring.

Grade 7 meets on Sundays, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Prep: This class will focus on Torah cantillation and Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation. The teacher will work with the entire class on required Saturday morning prayers and Torah cantillation. Individual lessons will also be conducted on each student’s parsha (Individual sessions will occur through pull out meetings during Sunday School). The Judaics class will be based on the Parasha Project. Students will learn about their Parasha and perform mizvot throughout the year.

Upper School/Teen Programming

For many teens, the only time they see their religious school friends is when they are at Oseh Shalom.

Grades 8th-12th will meet on alternate Sundays from 10:50 – 11:30 am. Students will participate in their Madrichim duties and then attend class during the last time block in the Teen Lounge.

TeenConnect – The TeenConnect program meets the first and third Sunday of the month. The purpose of the club is to provide a hands-on learning environment where teens can actively participate in Jewish life (in and out of religious school) as they progress to adulthood. It is an opportunity to learn leadership skills and initiate tikkun olam projects. We help them answer the question, “What does it mean to be a Jew in today’s adult world?”
Upper School Torah Study – This class meets the second and fourth Sunday of each month. It is designed for students who desire a more academic atmosphere. Students will delve into the Torah, learn commentary from the great Rabbis throughout history, and discuss/debate the modern relevance to central parashah themes. Teens have an opportunity to dig deeper into Judaic liturgy and literature. Students study the Mikraot Gedolot and historical comments from Judaism’s greatest sages, along with modern commentary, as a means of making sense of Jewish laws, values and identity in today’s world.
Our Madrichim Program (Teacher’s Aid) provides an opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills, while staying connected to the synagogue. Teens are encouraged to become Madrichim, teachers’ assistants, and work with the younger children during class and special programs, help in the office or otherwise contribute to the school. Teens can earn community service credit or be paid for their time, earning valuable work experience.

Key Programs

All students participate in learning outside the classroom.

Jewish education is not meant to stop at the classroom door. It is meant to be lived and applied to all aspects of our lives. Therefore, student participation is expected in our key programs.

Family Services– To encourage families to participate in Shabbat, kid -friendly services are held at 7:30 pm on the first Fridays of the month. Attendance is required for students in third through seventh grades. Sababa Shabbat is a half-hour service that is a shorter interactive service for children in kindergarten and younger. Both services are kid and family friendly.
Oseh Experience– The religious school partners with the education and religious committees to create Shabbat and holiday events that incorporate prayer services, learning, fun and social action.
Kabbalat Shabbat– Each class hosts one Kabbalat Shabbat where families will be able to gather for a class meal and then attend services led by the students.
Off Campus and Extended Programs– Community and leadership building are an integral part of Oseh Shalom’s Religious School focus. For this reason, all students will be invited to field trips during the school day and special extended programs like Good Deeds Day.

Oseh Shalom Religious School is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
and the Jewish Federation of Howard County.