Who we are/what we teach
The Aspen Jewish Congregation's Judaic Studies (JS) program mission is to educate students and their families as they become committed Jews living lives of Torah (sacred learning), Avodah (worship), and Gemilut Hasadim (deeds of loving kindness). We hope to graduate students who have the tools and the desire necessary to grow spiritually and to be life-long learners. We endeavor to help our students develop strong Jewish identities and a love of Judaism and Jewish traditions.
A graduate of Aspen Jewish Congregation Judaic Studies program will be able to:
- Participate knowledgably in Erev Shabbat & Shabbat morning services
- Observe Shabbat and the Festivals throughout the calendar year
- Make personal choices informed by Jewish values and traditions
- Feel a spiritual, cultural, and historical attachment to the Jewish people and the Land of Israel
- Have a sense of gratitude for everything in their lives and express this gratitude through acts of tzedakah (charity/justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world)
- Enjoy basic familiarity with the Hebrew language, and appreciate Hebrew as a living language which connects all Jews around the world
- Pursue Jewish learning beyond Bar/Bat Mitzvah and throughout their entire lives
Educational Approach and School Values
Professional Teachers. All of our teachers are trained professional educators. We encourage our teachers to acquire further professional development and to be models of life-long learning. Our curricula are based on the latest innovative approaches to Jewish education.
Individual Attention. Small classes and teacher's aides allow us to provide students with individual attention. When necessary, a specialized approach can be created. We are committed to meeting the needs of each student and his/her family.
Diversity & Egalitarianism. Diversity within the school and congregation is welcomed and viewed as a strength. We welcome interfaith couples and Jews in all stages of their Jewish journeys. All Jews, regardless of gender, are encouraged to fully participate in all aspects of Jewish life, including leading worship. The concept of God is described in a gender-neutral fashion, and the study of Jewish history includes the contributions of women and men.
Tradition & Change. We teach the value of our sacred traditions, as well as the need to adapt tradition to changing life circumstances. We believe that Judaism has always changed to adapt to developing circumstances and reflect the societies where Jews lived. We provide a liberal, progressive approach to Judaism, respecting our sacred past and fully embracing the modern world.
Understanding Why. Students study the 'why' behind Jewish traditions, values, and rituals, so that they can make them meaningful to their own lives. For example, students study the meanings of major prayers and why Jews pray, as well as learning to perform the prayers.
Community. Our school community brings students and their families together. We strive to create a caring community, with mutual respect for all members and a recognition of the divine within each person. In a rural area, far away from any large Jewish community, we provide students and parents with the opportunity to make Jewish friends and to have Jewish social experiences.
Multiple Learning Styles. Students have unique learning styles and come from varied Jewish backgrounds. Through diverse learning activities, group work, and tutoring, we seek to ensure that each child can learn at a comfortable but challenging pace.
Experiential Activities. Students learn by being creative and using all their senses. Therefore, the curriculum involves music, drama, cooking, and arts and crafts, giving students the chance to literally "make the tradition their own."
Skills For Jewish Life. We seek to impart to our students the many tools they will need to participate fully in Jewish life. From leading a Shabbat service to exploring a text, we provide our students with the practical knowledge and skills they will need to be
committed, participatory Jewish adults.
Engagement. It is important that students love to learn and find relevance between their studies and their daily lives. Therefore, all aspects of the curriculum are designed to make links between Jewish tradition and real life. Older students have an opportunity to choose what topics they study.
Continuing Education. Bar/Bat Mitzvah should be the beginning of one's Jewish adulthood, not the end of one's Jewish involvement. Therefore, students who are post- b'nai mitzvah have many opportunities to stay involved, by studying in our confirmation class, serving as aides in JS classes, and participants in other activities.
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The Dan Tribe: Our brand new, downvalley Pre-K, K and 1st grade tribe will spend the year meeting "Cool Jews." Members of our youngest age group will get to "meet and greet" various important Jews personalities, from Abraham to Miriam to Albert Einstein and Hanna Senesh, through history costumes, stories, songs and puppets. We will also work with our Teva theme with age appropriate tips, arts and crafts and field trips. We will also work on a yearlong tzedakah project. We will start working on our alpha-bet and holidays with projects and cooking. All in all the year promises to be a blast from the past!
Dates and Times: Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m.
Teacher: Jessica Slosberg
The Judad Tribe: Our K/1 Aspen tribe will meeting "Cool Jews." Members of our youngest age group will get to "meet and greet" various important Jews personalities, from Abraham to Miriam to Albert Einstein and Hanna Senesh, through history costumes, stories, songs and puppets. We will also work with our Teva theme with age appropriate tips, arts and crafts and field trips. We will also work on a yearlong tzedakah project. We will start working on our alpha-bet and holidays with projects and cooking. All in all the year promises to be a blast from the past!
Dates and Times: Wednesdays from 3:10-4:20 p.m. OPTIONAL CHUG (for early release AES) 1:40 - 3:10 p.m.
Teacher: Jessica Slosberg The Gad Tribe: All aboard our autobus kasum "magical school bus) for a whirlwind tour through history! Our new 2/3 grade Aspen tribe will make exciting stops at all the major events in Jewish history. Each child will spend the year making his or her own timeline that can be displayed at home. We will meet important people and witness miraculous things as we speed through history. The tribe will play with costumes, hear stories and learn songs. In addition, we will also work with our Teva theme with age appropriate tips, arts and crafts and field trips. We will also work on a yearlong tzedakah project. We will continue to work on Hebrew and we will be reading Hebrew by the end of the year.
Dates and Times: Wednesdays from 3:10-4:20 p.m. OPTIONAL CHUG (for early release AES) 1:40 - 3:10 p.m.
Teacher: Jessica Slosberg
Simeon Tribe: All aboard our autobus kasum "magical school bus) for a whirlwind tour through history! We will make exciting stops at all the major events in Jewish history. Each child will spend the year making his or her own timeline that can be displayed at home. We will meet important people and witness miraculous things as we speed through history. The tribe will play with costumes, hear stories and learn songs. In addition, we will also work with our Teva theme with age appropriate tips, arts and crafts and field trips. We will also work on a yearlong tzedakah project. We will continue to work on Hebrew and we will be reading Hebrew by the end of the year.
Dates and Times: Thursdays from 3:30-5 p.m.
Teacher: Jessica Slosberg
Grades: 2nd - 4th grades
The Benjamin Tribe: Our 4/5 grade tribe will be exploring what "Fighting for Survival" means for Jews. Through reading a variety of texts this class will explore some of the more epic time periods and battles in our history. We will use classic texts, stories and art to understand each battle and what it means for us as modern day Jews. In addition, we will also work with our Teva theme with age appropriate tips, arts and crafts and field trips. We will also work on a yearlong tzedakah project. We will continue to work on our Hebrew reading.
Dates and Times: Mondays from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Teacher: Jessica Slosberg
The Zebulon Tribe: This year, the Zebulon tribe (grades 6 and 7) is all about "Shlosha Devarim" (Three Things). We will explore Torah, Avodah (Worship) and Gemilut Chasadim (Acts of Loving Kindness) with three different teachers using three sources: Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings). Even when it is time to dive intoHebrew, we have 3 goals: reading, writing in cursive, and decoding trop symbols. And if that isn't enough, we will be starting Book #3 in the "You Be The Judge" series, in which we solve modern ethical dilemmas using Jewish text. Three cheers for the Zebulon Tribe!
Dates and Times: Mondays from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Teachers: Rabbi David Segal, Cantor Rollin Simmons, and Shereen Sarick
B'nai Mitzvah/Confirmation Class: This class will have an exciting new format, which will pair student interest with current events and exploring "The Lost Stories" or the fun stuff they didn't even know happened- political assassinations, adultery and war. We will also discuss who writes history and what does it mean to our stories. Also, there will be a leadership development aspect to this class to help our students make the transition into adulthood in the eyes of our community. This class is paired with their one-one-one tutoring. NEW Post B'nai Mitzvah Cooking Class: Post B'nai Mitzvah class 8-12 grade: Join us for a relaxed and edible class. This cooking class will learn to make classic Jewish food from babka and bagels to apple cake and matzah balls. We will learn some of the history behind these foods from stories and texts.
Time and Day: TBD Tuition:
Imma/Abba v'Ani: $10 per session or $100 for the year.
K-8th grade: $450 for the year
B'nai Mitzvah year: $1800 includes all private tutoring as well as Bar and Bat Mitzvah Training Judaic Studies Registration is open and ongoing at Aspen Jewish Congregation. Our new program offers fun once-a-week classes for the littlest ones through 9th grade. Special programs, family education, trips, and bar/bat mitzvah preparation also available. Generous scholarships available.
Please contact Jessica Slosberg for more information on any of our programs by calling 925-8245!
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