Grades K-4
BESTY א (Aleph)
BESTY א is a FREE Shabbat morning religious school program for ALL Kindergarten & 1st grade students. This Shabbat program supplements the curriculum from Talmud Torah and Heilicher. Children from schools throughout the Twin Cities can come together on Shabbat morning and know that they belong with their BESTYs.
BESTY א is an excellent way to introduce or continue your child’s Jewish education and be a part of a warm and fun Jewish community.
BESTY א will provide an engaging, stimulating, and fun environment on your child’s journey of Jewish identity development.
BESTYs will connect with their peers while learning about Torah portions, holidays, and Jewish values. Our students will explore Jewish aspects of home, family, and community while also teaching Hebrew words and letters. They will hear an array of stories, do creative activities and projects, learn prayers, and participate once a month in the “Mini Minyan” Young Family Service and programming on the first Shabbat of every month.
Come be our BESTY!
For additional information, please contact Avi Aharoni@bethelsynagogue.org
Although this is a FREE program, we ask that you please register.
BESTY Schedule
10:00a – 10:30a Mini Minyan (1st Shabbat of month) or T’fillot with all K-4th graders
10:30a – 10:45a Snack
10:45a – 11:45a BESTY Programming
BESTY א (Aleph) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is BESTY א (Aleph)?
A: BESTY is Beth El’s FREE Shabbat morning religious school for ALL Kindergarten – 1st grade students, regardless of school they attend during the week.
A: BESTY is an excellent way to introduce or continue your child’s Jewish education and be a part of a warm and fun Jewish community.
Q: What is the curriculum for BESTY א (Aleph)?
A: BESTYs will connect with their peers while learning about Torah portions, holidays, and Jewish values.
A: Students will explore Jewish aspects of home, family, and community while also teaching Hebrew words and letters. Each morning is filled with a combination of tefilot (prayer), weekly parsha (Torah portion) discussions, activities, and art projects.
Q: Are the Kindergarten and 1st grade classes in the same room?
A: We begin with tefilot (prayers) together with BESTY ב (Bet), our 2-4th graders. We will give both the Kindergarten and 1st grade age groups the opportunity to be together at times, and at other times we will separate for age appropriate curriculum. We will join for a story, song, or activity at the end.
Q: How will the curriculum change for my 1st grade student?
A: We use a rotating curriculum that is meant to be complete in two years. The participants will have a unique experience in kindergarten and 1st grade.
Q: When does BESTY begin/end?
A: September 25th – May 14th (we will send a calendar out to families)
A: Our sessions are consistent with the TaRBuT calendar.
Q: How many sessions are there of BESTY?
A: 28
Q: How much does BESTY cost?
A: BESTY is a FREE program
If you have any questions about the BESTY program, please contact Avi Aharoni, Director of Youth Engagement, at aharoni@bethelsynagogue.org
Grandma Fay’s Shul Bags
Hanging outside of the Sanctuary, these bags contain “quiet toys” to enable children to have a fun and educational time experiencing Shabbat and holiday services with their parents.