Congregation Beth El - Ner Tamid families are busy juggling careers, kids, financial stressors, and scheduling logistics as well as the emotional well-being of their families. Finding meaningful time to connect with others who have young children can be challenging. As parents and caregivers, we want our children to have opportunities to question, wonder, explore, and connect. Attending our Mini Mensch Academy on Sundays once a month gives everyone the opportunity to connect, inquire about and celebrate Judaism, while singing, dancing, telling stories, crafting, learning about holidays, and more! In addition, our Mini Mensch Academy is involved in Tikkun Olam - repairing the world - and empowering our children to recognize that they can make a difference through acts of kindness and family-centered social action projects.

Every child’s BMitzvah is a journey that they embark on during their Mensch Making Academy experience. Each child is unique and as a result, BMitzvah reflects and supports the individuality of the student. Together with their parents and extended families, the synagogue community nurtures, develops and prepares students for their acceptance of Jewish responsibility while learning Haftarah, Torah and prayer.  We take pride in knowing that these students have explored their Jewish identities and have learned the  foundations necessary that will lead them into Jewish young adulthood.

Post BMitzvah, our 8th, 9th and 10th grade students engage in innovative programming

that continues to help them explore relevant topics and foster friendships. They explore, question and challenge issues that they identify as being important to them including current and historical events, values, rituals and traditions. Students discuss social action and social justice causes and organizations that are important to them and often opt to volunteer for the cause. Speakers, trips and projects help bring student interests to life. (took out the sentence about fostering Jewish identity but thinking I might want to put it back in?) Our Better Together Program connects teens with our Beth Elders - congregants who are 65 years and older, to explore intergenerational issues, encourage friendships and celebrate joyful Judaism!

Students who participate in our Hebrew High program can celebrate being Confirmed with their classmates. Being Confirmed is not merely a religious ceremony. The process of becoming

Confirmed is filled with self-exploration, examining Jewish concepts and beliefs and working together with their peers. Being Confirmed encourages students to take on Jewish leadership positions as Madrichim (teen mentors and role models) while in grades 11 and 12 in the Mini Mensch and Mensch Making Academy. 

Our Junior Congregation services (Grades 3 through 7) are held on select Shabbat morning and holidays during the school year. Using a creatively designed prayer book, this instructional service provides students an opportunity to explore the concept of prayer and take part in services. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend with their children. As an extension of Jr. Congregation, each class prepares a unique service leading the congregation in song, prayer and creative writings from the heart.

Young children through 2nd grade engage in their own Shabbat Morning and holiday services. Shabbat comes alive for young children through music, tactile play, songs, games, storytelling, crafts, movement, and more!  Teachers encourage wonder and questioning. Feeling proud of being Jewish can begin at a young age! Our entire congregational community embraces and welcomes our youngest learners!

Throughout his life, congregant Dick Packel was determined that every Jewish child have an education supporting their emotional, social, and academic needs. Through the generosity of his family, Dick Packel’s vision lives on. Working within the framework of their learning challenges, our certified special education teacher nurtures, supports, and encourages students to engage in activities that support and enhance their individual learning.

Dick Packel had a dream - that all children would have the opportunity to learn, explore and question in a supportive environment. This program is designed for students to become more confident in themselves as learners. Children with special needs, those experiencing difficulty in congregational classroom settings, and students who might benefit from ‘flying a little faster’ with enrichment, receive one-on-one or small group instruction from our Learning Support teacher and help from our specially trained teen teaching assistants (Madrichim). Children learn and experience in unique ways. At the Mensch Making Academy, we nurture and support all students to ensure that they have a rewarding and fulfilling Jewish educational experience. It is our priority that all Mensch Making Academy students have individualized learning opportunities and learn through experiences and methodologies that are best for them. Please contact Ellen Glassman, Education Director at [email protected] to find out more about our inclusive program. 

Since 2002, Congregation Beth El – Ner Tamid has proudly partnered with Federation Early Learning Services, who are specialists in infant, toddler, and preschool programs and have been serving the Jewish and secular communities for over a century.

Our preschool program, known as K’tonton, is ranked in the Top 3% of Delaware County Centers and is both NAEYC  accredited and a Keystone Stars 4A program. That means it has met, at the highest level, all of the standards required by these credentialing organizations.

K’tonton Early Learning Center is an intimate and welcoming center staffed by an experienced teaching and administrative team. Content areas such as reading, math, science, and art are integrated into a central theme that makes learning fun and meaningful.

The staff encourages children to learn through discovery and exploration. Parents are actively involved in the center and families develop strong connections. Our enclosed playground develops healthy bodies and minds. Children regularly use synagogue facilities and the Rabbi visits our classrooms to work with our kids. The Center’s diverse population adds to its already rich curriculum. Multicultural activities include the ethnic backgrounds of all of the children in the classroom.

• 6 weeks to 5-year-olds
• Open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Keystone Star 4 program
• NAEYC Accredited
• Experienced Staff
• Enrichment programs
• Onsite Program
• Clergy Involvement

To learn more, contact Hope Gainous, Interim Center Director, at 610-325-4831 or visit felskids.org