Berman-Lipavsky Religious School – Beth El Congregation

The Berman-Lipavsky Religious School inspires children and families to love Judaism. Through formative, hands-on learning, students experience the enriching possibilities of an active Jewish life. Students translate Jewish values into Jewish action and spark a positive, lifelong connection to the Jewish community.

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Who we are.

We are an inclusive school community of Jewish families raising their children in a home committed to Jewish practice. Through partnerships with our families, we instill a strong sense of Jewish values and unshakeable Jewish identities.

What we believe.

Jewish learning may begin in the classroom, but Jewish identity flourishes at home. We believe students come to know Judaism in religious school and experience Judaism in their synagogue community, but they live Judaism at home. Students regularly gather with our broader Beth El community, which helps families familiarize themselves with the rhythms of the Jewish year and grow together Jewishly.

What we do.

We create a positive environment for our students to connect with Judaism on their terms and cultivate formative, hands-on experiences that help families live an active Jewish life at home, at Beth El, and everywhere in between.

Experience religious school at Beth El.

Our values-based curriculum encourages students to experience Jewish life, not simply study Judaism. Torah values come to life for our students as they put them into action in the real world. Students emerge from these experiences knowing what it means to be Jewish and how to live Jewishly. Having participated in weekly chuggim (electives), tefillah (prayer services), and Hebrew instruction, our students graduate with mature Jewish identities, and knowledge of Jewish values, traditions, wisdom, history, and the Hebrew language.

Beresheet (Pre-K) │Sundays, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

For our eager learners who are four to five years old, we offer a play-based learning experience that incorporates Jewish holidays, values, an introduction to Aleph/Bet and more!

Gan, Aleph and Bet (Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades)│Sundays, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

A dynamic program that focuses on Jewish holidays, values, Aleph/Bet and prayer. Students engage in multi-sensory activities such as yoga yeladim, music and Israeli culture. All students participate in weekly tefillah prayer services.

Kitah Gimel – Vav (3rd – 6th grades)│Sundays, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or virtual mid-week options:

Two options for Hebrew instruction:

Mid-week virtual- families will sign up for 30 minute/once a week session through a virtual scheduling program for individualized Hebrew instruction.
In person- small group sessions for 30 minutes on Sunday before or after religious school

Lapid Learners (seventh graders)│Every other Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

In preparation for their b’nai mitzvah, our seventh graders, known around Beth El as Lapid Learners, dive deep into Jewish tradition through conversations with our clergy, connect with the local Jewish community through hands-on service projects, learn about day-to-day Jewish life, and discover why some people devote their lives to teaching, studying, and practicing Judaism.

Achshav (high school students)│Tuesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Achshav is a three-year leadership development program for high school students, offered by the Beth El and Chizuk Amuno Congregations. Through hands-on learning, social programming, and a capstone 10-day mission to Israel students explore Jewish leadership, examining what a strong leader is and how to become one.

Extra-special opportunities for Students and Families

Shir Hadash (new song) is Beman-Lipavsky’s brand new children’s singing group led by Cantor Melanie Blatt. Reach out to Cantor Blatt for more information.
Gemilut Hasadim VolunTeam
Families come together once a month to participate in hands-on community service. Together, they fulfill the need of community while also delving into discussions that connect to service through service learning activities. Contact Amy Goldberg for more information.
Shabbat Metuka (sweet Shabbat) is the religious school’s monthly Saturday morning service that brings out the sweetness of Shabbat in all who join!

Hebrew School in Your Neighborhood

The Berman-Lipavsky Religious School offers midweek religious school at various neighborhood locations in the greater Baltimore area. Please be in touch with the religious school team if you are interested in this option.