Our Affiliation
We are affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the association of Conservative congregations in North America.
Family Torah School
(School Year starts – September 2011)
Download Our School Forms
TBS Torah School Calendar 2011-2012
Bruchim Haba’im! – Welcome! At 
Temple Beth Shalom, we educate our young to become mensches (good human beings) who are anchored in their Jewish tradition and identity. Our Family Torah School emphasizes the relationship between teacher and child, parent and child, community and family.
We expose both children and adult to inspiring teachers who exemplify Jewish commitment and love of learning. The synagogue is the backdrop for young people’s emerging Jewish identity. By enabling them to use their talents as they explore different aspects of Judaism through a variety of learning modalities–song, art, text study, interactive games, drama, reading, writing, and active engagement in hands-on world repair. Our kids develop a strong connection to the Hebrew language, Torah, Israel, and the Jewish people.
Our Family Torah School is the only Jewish Conservative School in the Greater Long Beach Area. Any student interested in a Jewish education is welcome. Family membership in the synagogue is now included when you enroll your child(ren) in our Family Torah School. Both new and returning students are invited to enroll immediately.
Family Torah School students have fun at school, enjoying music and festive holiday celebrations, drama and Jewish foods, and an increasing level of involvement in larger congregational activities. Highly trained teachers inspire appreciation and knowledge of Israel and the Jewish People, provide an understanding of Jewish worship ceremonies and celebrations, and teach Hebrew and Torah. Girls and boys study the same material and look forward to the same full participation in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Students are introduced to the Hebrew language at an early age, building their skills through the years so that as they approach the age of bar-/bat-mitzvah they develop fluency, familiarity, and their own understanding of the meaning of the traditional liturgy. Both prayer Hebrew and modern Hebrew are taught in the classroom through textbook study, music, games, and immersion activities. Holiday learning takes place within the classroom, emphasizing different skills in each grade, and the whole school engages in special activities and celebrations, often with the larger congregation.
Students in grades K – 2 meet once a week on Sunday mornings, while students in grades 3 – 7 meet on Sunday mornings and on Tuesday afternoons.
What do we expect to achieve in the Family Torah School?
We believe that a good synagogue school education should and can be a major influence in forming what a Jewish teenager knows (knowledge), knows how to do (skills), and wants to do (attitudes and proclivities). Jewish learning requires a sufficient amount of time to form the foundation for future Jewish living, study and growth. We believe our school program will best impact on these if it integrates elements of informal education and systematically engages in family education. This program needs to start early, continue through adolescence and into adulthood.
For information about Family Torah School or to schedule of tour, please contact Amanda Rudman, Education Vice-President, or Randy Katz, our Director of Education, by calling the Temple Office at (562) 426-6413 or via email.
Download Our School Forms
TBS Torah School Calendar 2010-2011
