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From the
children's voices emanating from our Hebrew School, to a Bar Mitzvah practicing
his Haftarah, to a group of women discussing "Harlots and Heroines - The
Women of Purim," Ohavi Zedek is filled with the sounds of its members immersed
in the educational programs we offer. Our children have the opportuniy to participate
in Hebrew School, Hebrew Chai School and Young Judaea, all excellent and enriching
programs where they can explore who they are as Jews as well as learn Hebrew,
and explore Jewish traditions, holidays and culture. During
the past few years Ohavi Zedek Synagogue hosted a range of classes and lectures
including talks by Rabbi Chaim Potok, Rabbi David Hartman of Jerusalem, Rabbi
Marcia Prager, Bonna Devorah Haberman, Julius Lester and members of the faculty
of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, including Rabbi Bert Vizotsky and
Rabbi Neil Gilman. The
classes and speakers at Ohavi Zedek reflect the wide range of observance of Judaism
and the climate of free thinking that characterizes our synagogue. TOT
SHABBAT (Ages 0-4)
Families with children ages 4 and younger; join us for
our new monthly "Tot Shabbat" program, led by Rabbi David. The program
starts at 11:00am and lasts about 30 minutes. Families are invited to join the
congregation at 11:30am for our community wide Kiddush in the social hall. Please
check the Hebrew School Calendar or the Hebrew
School page for specific dates. Hebrew
School (Grades K-7)
Formal Jewish educational programs are available
for kindergarten through grade 7. Kindergarten through 7th grade generally meets
on Sunday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Approximately one weekend per
month, school meets on Saturday morning instead of Sunday morning. Please check
the Hebrew School Calendar or the Hebrew
School page for specific dates. We
explore Jewish religion and culture through a variety of learning approaches,
including the use of the arts in learning. In our family-oriented Torah curriculum,
parents learn to teach their children the stories of the Torah, and students share
their learning with each other and the rest of the congregation. Students learn
both Modern Hebrew and traditional Hebrew prayers and blessings. Special events
include classes for parents, family dinners and holiday programs. Ohavi Zedek
Synagogue's Associate Rabbi, David
Steinberg, serves as Principal of the Hebrew School. Bar/Bat
Mitzvah Study
An important life cycle event for a young Jewish boy or
girl is the Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah respectively. The bar/bat mitzvah ceremony
consists of the young person chanting the blessings, and his/her Torah portion
which is the Torah portion of the week. One also reads the Haftarah portion. There
are many traditions that accompany the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience. While the actual
day is important and memorable, the years of preparation before are just as enlightening
and vital. Please visit the NEW Bar/Bat Mitzvah
page for further information. Chai
School (Grades 8-12)
Grades 8 through 12 may continue their formal
Jewish education through "Vermont Chai School"
the community high school program that meets Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
at Temple Sinai. It is open to Jewish teens from all synagogues in the region,
as well as those whose families are unaffiliated with any synagogue. A joint venture
of Ohavi Zedek and Temple Sinai of South Burlington, Vermont Chai School encourages
Jewish learning as a lifelong process by offering students in 8th-12th grade courses
on special topics along with opportunities to socialize with Jewish peers. The
non-graded, elective-based curriculum has included classes in Hebrew language,
images of the American Jew in popular culture, and environmentalism, biomedical
ethics, and litigation from a Jewish perspective. The Vermont Chai School meets
Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Temple Sinai and is directed by Temple
Sinai's Education Director, Judy
Alexander. Rabbi David Steinberg of Ohavi Zedek serves as OZ’s liaison
to Chai School. Young
Judaea (Grades 3-12)
Ohavi Zedek's Young Judaea provides exceptional
programming for our community's youth. Three age groups (grades 3-5, 6-7 and 8-12)
host events throughout the year, from camping trips and ski trips to bowling parties
and rock climbing, Israeli dancing and sukkah building. While programs incorporate
Jewish learning and practice, they also place a high value on the social aspects
- Young Judaea's primary goal is to bring Jewish kids together. Click
here for more information on Young Judaea. Adult
Education
Ohavi Zedek offers a variety of classes and special programs
for adults throughout the year. Offerings have included Hebrew, Shabbat meditation,
Hasidic teachings about Pesach, the poetry of Yehuda Amichai, updates on the Middle
East and the Jewish community's response to domestic violence. Please contact
Rabbi Joshua if you have specific
suggestions about what you would like to learn, or for what you might be interested
in teaching the community. Lunch
and Learn
Ohavi Zedek invites members of both OZ and the surrounding community
to come together for an hour that includes a light lunch and a lecture by a member
of the greater community on a topic of general interest. Lunch and Learn takes
place at OZ at noon the on the last Thursday of every month from September through
May. Participation is free, but donations are accepted gladly. Contact Judy Hershberg,
email 802-863-4214. | 
