Congregation B'nai Brith Children's School (CBBCS)
Congregation B'nai Brith Children's School (CBBCS) is committed to traditional Judaism informed by progressive thought. We welcome students from diverse backgrounds into our inclusive school community. We strive to nurture our students' identities as individuals and as Jews in a warm atmosphere that invites their families to be active participants.
What We Offer
Nitzanim (Parent/Child Program for 3 and 4 year olds)
- Monthly class on Sundays from 9:30 - 10:30; Parents stay during the class
- Tuition: $200
Gan (Pre-K/Kindergarten) - B'nai Mitzvah (8th Grade)
- Meets Sundays from 9:30am - 12:00pm. Parents stay for a 20 minute tefillah service, then return to gather for a moment of community just before dismissal at noon.
- 4 year olds ready for a weekly drop off program are welcome
- Mixed Age classrooms and a rotating/spiraling curriculum
- Member tuition: $1100
- Non-member tuition: $1950
Madrichim (8th- 12th)
- Continued education on what it means to be an “adult” member of a Jewish congregation
- Get paid to work!
- Learn valuable teaching skills by helping our teachers in the classroom and beyond
- Continue building lifelong friendships with other Jewish Teens
Schedule/Hours
Hours: Sundays 9:30am - 12:00pm
Parents join us as we start our day together as a community with a 20 minute Tefillah service led by Rabbi Eliana. Tefillah offers students a hands-on opportunity to learn prayer and see how prayer can be one way to connect to Judaism and the world. After Tefillah, children engage in various educational activities that align with our curriculum and values until pick up at 12pm.
Sunday (K-8) Dates
Sept 15 - 1st Day Parent Meeting after drop off
Sept 22
Sept 29
October 6
October 13 - NO SCHOOL
October 20
October 27
November 3
November 10 - NO SCHOOL
November 17
November 24 - Parent Bagel Brunch after drop off
December 1 - NO SCHOOL
December 8
December 15
December 22 - NO SCHOOL (WINTER BREAK)
December 29 - NO SCHOOL (WINTER BREAK)
Educational Philosophy and Goals for Our Learners
Our goal is to prepare students for an active, joyful Jewish life where their fundamental values are informed by the teachings they learn here. CBBCS serves as the launching pad for a lifelong love of Jewish learning, fostering positive Jewish feelings and teaching essential skills. Judaism is not something relegated to once a week or studying for a B'nai Mitzvah. Our aim is to show our scholars how Judaism can inform their actions and beliefs every day. Our curriculum includes Jewish holidays, tikkun olam/social action, culture, music, arts, prayer, Hebrew, and Torah, while helping students form lasting friendships. With the skills and knowledge they gain here, they are ready to wrestle with how to incorporate these values into their own lives now and as they become Jewish adults.
Who We Are
Our school, nestled within the Temple B'nai Brith community, emphasizes the uniqueness of our families and scholars, rooted in Jewish values of social justice, respect, struggle, and learning. We offer diverse learning modalities, allowing students to explore their Jewish identity through activities like performing plays, crafting Judaica, and writing divrei Torah (thoughts on the weekly Torah portion) that connect ancient stories to contemporary issues. These projects are student-led—we strongly believe that children, given the time and space, are natural learners who can be trusted to design their own paths. Influenced by the Montessori principle of "Follow the Child," we provide a prepared environment with knowledgeable guides who facilitate self-directed learning. Inspired by Hillel's teaching to love and pursue peace, we educate for peace and justice. Our heritage shapes our lives, and our scholars engage with traditions as dynamic elements that strengthen both them and the traditions.
Where We Learn
Our scholars begin their day in a shul filled with joyful learning. But this is just a starting point. Activities may include visiting food pantries inspired by teachings on leaving the four corners of the field unharvested, exploring contemporary Mikvahs (ritual baths) to see reimagined traditions, or volunteering at homeless shelters during Sukkot to reflect on the responsibility of providing shelter. Our congregation is centrally located in Somerville, providing us the opportunity to engage with both the Somerville community and the larger Boston Jewish community on a regular basis. We also take the children out into nature as much as possible, offering them a connection to the natural world and teaching the Jewish values of environmentalism and care for the physical world around us.
We believe in the power of education to shape a meaningful and engaged Jewish life. Our students are equipped with the skills and values they need to navigate their world as thoughtful, informed Jewish individuals, ready to make a positive impact in their communities.
Mon, December 30 2024 29 Kislev 5785
