Walk through the doors of Temple Beth Avodah and you’ll find children and teens in every corner learning, laughing, praying, and experiencing together. For our youth, TBA is a second home, one in which they feel comfortable exploring their identity in a Jewish context with nurturing and supportive adults to guide them. From discussing current events to learning a new melody for a prayer to cooking an Israeli dish, our students engage with Judaism in a variety of ways. We know and understand each child as an individual and meet them where they are. We see ourselves as partners with parents in providing a nurturing and safe environment for exploration and growth. Our holistic approach focuses on social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth. We invite you to join us and see if our program is a good fit for you and your family.  Email us at info@bethavodah.org to find out more or schedule a visit.

 

In the 2026-2027 school year, we are introducing the first of a three-year triennial learning curricular cycle in our Pre-K - Grade 5 classrooms. The triennial learning cycle will provide our students with a robust understanding of Jewish ideas, values, stories, and texts throughout the entirety of their learning journeys at TBA. As students confront the same topics at new levels every three years, they have a higher likelihood of retaining information from previous years. They will also build a stronger foundation in core knowledge areas by learning information within the same subject areas every three years.  

 

YEAR 1: TORAH 

• This curricular year will focus on teaching foundational Jewish stories. It will address important Torah stories and ideas from the Torah, as well as build connections to students’ understanding of God. This curricular year will enhance our students’ basic understanding of Jewish texts, traditional narratives, laws, ethics, and Jewish values and commandments (mitzvot).  

 

YEAR 2: JEWISH TIME 

• This curricular year will focus on celebrating holidays and important moments in Jewish life. Students will learn about the Jewish calendar, explore rituals and teachings around lifecycle events like B’nai Mitzvah and weddings, and learn about our Jewish holidays through celebration, engaging with tradition, and the special liturgy surrounding holidays.  

 

YEAR 3: AM YISRAEL 

• This curricular year will focus on peoplehood, family, and history through the lens of Am Yisrael, meaning the entire Jewish people. It will address important moments and figures in Jewish history, look at students' own families and where their ancestors came from, and explore connections to Israel and the diaspora.  

 

While these themes will be structured largely within our Pre-K - Grade 5 curriculum, core ideas from each year will supplement our older students’ learning. Their curriculum will be informed by these three topics, but focus more directly on issues, ideas, and interests that coincide with our middle and high school students’ ages and stages of life. 

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K - GRADE 5 SUNDAY SCHEDULE​ & CURRICULUM 

• 9:30 -10 a.m. T’fillah for Grades 3 - 5: Our upper elementary students begin the day together with Cantor Snyder in a short, upbeat service. 

• 9 - 11 a.m. Class Time for Pre-K - Grade 2: Our hands-on curriculum focuses on the building blocks of Jewish learning: holidays, values, Torah stories, and Hebrew introduction. Throughout the year there are several family programs to engage parents in learning and connect them with each other.   ​ 

• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Class Time for Grades 3 - 5: Our upper elementary program is focused on experiential learning including creative projects, developing personal Jewish identity, and exploring personal values from a Jewish lens. Throughout the year, parents are invited to join their students for learning and discovery, together. 

• 11 - 11:30 a.m. Shira for Pre-K - Grade 2: Our younger learners join Cantor Snyder at the end of their day for an active music session with Jewish songs and prayers. Students begin to learn Hebrew prayers and songs, and familiarize themselves with Hebrew letters. 

 

Additional Options 

• Saturday Morning Services (select Saturdays throughout the school year) 

• Mini-BAYGL events (Grades 3 - 5) 

  

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​GRADES 3 - 5 WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE AND CURRICULUM​ 

Wednesday classes help our students build a strong foundation in recognizing Hebrew letters and vowels, learning to read prayers, and discovering more about the meaning behind Jewish liturgy. 

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• 3:30 - 3:40 p.m. Mifgash: Students gather by grade for weekly get-to-know-you time where they play games, share about their week, and ease into the Wednesday afternoon session. 

• 3:40 - 4:15 p.m. T’fillah: Whole school prayer experience weekly, led by Cantor Snyder. 

• 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. Hebrew Learning Focus Class Time: Focused on small group Hebrew learning and exploring Jewish values through meaningful activities, discussions, and connections to prayer. 

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GRADE 6 WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE & CURRICULUM 

We recognize that middle school is a time of transition – both in the secular world and in Jewish life.  Through our Wednesday afternoon Gesher (Bridge) program and supplemental opportunities, we help students dig more deeply into their Jewish learning and guide them through the B’nai Mitzvah process and beyond.   

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•  3:30 - 3:40 p.m. Mifgash: Students gather by grade for weekly get-to-know-you time where they play games, share about their week, and ease into the Wednesday afternoon session. 

• 3:40 - 4:15 p.m. T’fillah: Whole school prayer experience weekly, led by Cantor Snyder. Throughout the year, Grade 6 students help Cantor Snyder lead services for the younger students. 

• 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Becoming a B’nai Mitzvah: Class time exploring the importance of becoming a B’nai Mitzvah and finding personal value in Jewish liturgy, traditions, and beliefs, all through the lens of Eilu D’varim, a foundational text in the B’nai Mitzvah curriculum. 

• 5:15-6:15 p.m. Hebrew Learning Focus: Cantor Snyder teaching and guiding students through reading and understanding important prayers for the B’nai Mitzvah process. 

• 6:15 - 7 p.m. Optional Dinner 

 

Our Grade 6 program focuses on B'nai Mitzvah and beyond. Students in Grade 6 dive deeply into preparation with learning and practicing prayers, exploring the meaning of the milestone, and sharing personal thoughts and reflections.  

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Additional Options: 

• Saturday Morning Services (select Saturdays throughout the school year) 

• Jr. BAYGL events (Grades 6 - 7) 

• Shevet middle school boys’ monthly group on Sundays (times vary)  

• Grades 6 Retreat focused on building community 

  

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GRADES 7 - 12 SCHEDULE & CURRICULUM 

Our late-middle school and high school connections emphasis building a safe space for teens to build relationships, strengthen their leadership skills, and explore Judaism in new and exciting ways.  There are many paths to involvement for our late-middle and high schoolers including Midrasha (Learning Center) on Wednesday evenings, Teen Internships, gender-based groups, youth group participation and leadership, and trips and retreats. Classes are split with Grades 7 - 8 together and Grades 9 - 12 together. 

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Midrasha on Wednesdays 7 - 8:30 p.m. with optional dinner from 6:15- 7 p.m. In Grade 7 and 8 students have an opportunity to delve into topics through a Jewish lens, learn about the Holocaust, and ways they can personally contribute to social justice. Our high school students focus on current events, Israel, and contemporary teen issues through a Jewish lens.  

  

Additional Options 

• Teen Internship positions in school, office, or Temple programs (post-B’nai Mitzvah only – details below)  

• Shevet middle school boys’ monthly group on Sundays (times vary)  

• Jr. BAYGL events (Grades 6 – 7) 

• BAYGL events and BAYGL Board leadership (varied times)  

• NFTY-Northeast, JTI, and other regional and national Jewish youth organizations 

• Middle School Retreats focused on community-building and building Jewish identity  

• High School Trips/Retreats including to Israel, New York, Puerto Rico, and other locations.  

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TEEN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, GRADES 7 - 12 

Our teen internship program provides our teens with the opportunity to learn and grow in hands on experiences. The skills they learn on the job as well as in their training help them work collaboratively, plan and execute programs, and improve their relationship building skills. Teens choose one or more internships below to participate in. Internships are paid or unpaid based on the teen’s preference and may be used as community service. In addition to their internship hours, they participate in a training at the beginning of the school year to help orient them to the classroom and working with children. 

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• Sundays Grades Pre-K-Grade 5 Interns (9:15 - 11:30 a.m.)  

• Wednesday Grade 6 Interns/B'nai Mitzvah peer tutors (3:30 - 6 p.m.)  

• Wednesday Grades 3-5 Interns (3:30 - 5:30 p.m.)  

• Office/Technology Interns (varies)