June 2015

Dear Families,
I write this on the first rainy day of summer office hours. While it is dreary out, I am dreaming of
brighter skies ahead. A very famous Jewish man, Theodore Herzel, a political activist and writer, was an
amazing dreamer. He dreamt of a time when all Jews would dream of a Jewish homeland. In fact, he wrote
the very famous words, im tirtzu ain zo agada ( , ) if you will it, it is no dream. At TBA and at
the JLP, we have many dreams for your family, and they do not end with a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, in fact, our
dreams for you truly have no end. Our dream is for a lifetime of Jewish living. Our dream is that our home
is only a launching pad for your childs Jewish identity, the place they return to for the roots of what is
important and meaningful to you as a family and that it serves as a guide for their adult journey.
Our JLP theme this year is If you will it, it is no dream! We invite every member of your family to
dream along with us. What will your familys Jewish world look like 20 , 30, even 40 years from now? Will
your children remember what you set as important and meaningful? Will they feel a connection to the
history, language and rituals of their people? Will they have passed your legacy on to their own children?
These are all important questions that cannot be left only to dreams and chance. Together, we must realize
the dream through partnership and participation.

Let us be your guide to Jewish life! We hope that with

each day in the JLP, your family will grow more identified and your child will soar as a young Jewish person.
In this packet, you will find the following information. Some require you to fill out the form and
return to the JLP office. They are starred below and marked on the page with this symbol:
This packet contains:
New Student Orientation Information
Sukkot Festival Information
Important Dates to Remember
Adult Volunteer Form *
Art Supplies Donation Information
JLP Child Learning Profile *
Berhman House On-Line Learning Center Permission Slip (New students in 3-6 only)*
Carpool and New Dismissal Information
Allergy Information and Form*
Calendar
Please be sure to return the forms starred above if they pertain to you or your child. All others are
optional or for your reference only. I wish you a wonderful rest of the summer and look forward to
welcoming you back in September. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at mweiner@tbanj.org
or call 973-994-3950.
Morah Melissa Weiner
Director of Jewish Learning
Temple Bnai Abraham

welcome dreamers
to the

Jewish Learning Program

New Student Orientation

with parent or an adult chaperone
For Tuesday/Thursday Students in grades K-3
Tuesday, September 8, 2015, from 4:00-5:30 pm
this day is for new students only. opening day for returning students is
thursday, september 10

For Monday/Wednesday Students in grades K-3

Wednesday, September 9, 2015, 4:00-5:30 pm
(this opening day for all K-6th grade students)
Tour the building
Sign Up for our On-line Learning Center
Meet the teachers
Understand carpool line
Snacks and stories
Please RSVP to Arleen at alichtenstein@tbanj.org

BOOTH-TASTIC:
A SUKKOT FESTIVAL
at Temple Bnai Abraham

Sunday, September 27
10 am- 12 noon
Food, Crafts, Games, Fun
A Year of Holiday Celebrations
all in one Morning
Free and open to the community
For more information, call 973-994-3950
or visit the Temple website at www.tbanj.org

DATE

DAY

TIME

EVENT

9/8/2015

TUESDAY

4:00 PM

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION (Tuesday/Thursday)

9/9/2015

WEDNESDAY

4:00 PM

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION (MONDAY/WEDNESDAY)

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES ALL STUDENTS

9/10/2015

THURSDAY

4:00 PM

OPENING DAY FOR ALL TUESDAY/THURSDAY CLASSES

9/27/2015

SUNDAY

10:00 AM

BOOTH-TASTIC: SUKKOT FESTIVAL

OPEN TO COMMUNITY

10/05/2015

MONDAY

7:00 PM

SYNAGOGUE SIMCHAT TORAH CELEBRATION

10/13/2015

TUESDAY

5:45 PM

OPENING MECHINAH (SEVENTH GRADE) PARENTS ATTEND

10/23/2015

FRIDAY

7:00 PM

3RD GRADE CONSECRATION

12/11/2015

FRIDAY

6:15 PM

SYNAGOGUE HANUKKAH DINNER & CELEBRATION

2/24/2016 &
2/25/2016

WEDNESDAY or
THURSDAY

4:00 PM

6TH GRADE IN SERVICE DAY

2/26/2018

FRIDAY

7:00 PM

4TH GRADE SERVICE

3/10/2016

THURSDAY

4:00 PM

CONGREGATIONAL PURIM CARNIVAL

3/18/2016

FRIDAY

7:00 PM

THIRD GRADE SIDDUR (PRAYERBOOK) PRESENTATION

4/26

TUESDAY

5:45 PM

SURVIVOR SPEAKS: HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

PARENTS INVITED

5/3/2016

TUESDAY

5:45

SEVENTH GRADE (MECHINAH) STEP UP PROGRAM FOR

FAMILIES

5/4 & 5/5

2016

WEDNESDAY or
THURSDAY

4:00 PM

SURVIVOR SPEAKS: HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

PARENTS INVITED

5/6/2016

FRIDAY

7:00 PM

FIFTH GRADE SERVICE

5/11 & 5/12

2016

WEDNESDAY or
THURSDAY

4:00 PM

ISRAEL CELEBRATIONS

5/19/2015

THURSDAY

4:00 PM

LAST DAY OF CLASSES

Please note, additions of special program will occur. Please check the Temple
calendar and read JLP emails weekly for additions and changes.

Send someone special a sweet new year

Honey Sticks & Notes for Rosh Hashanah
This year, the JLP is sponsoring a honey fundraiser. Order ribbon wrapped
bundles of 10 honey sticks with a card attached for friends and family.
Orders will go home with the children on the opening day of the program.
All proceeds will go towards special programming for the students in the JLP.
1 order: $3.00
10 orders: $27.00 ($3.00 savings)
Your Name: __________________________________________
Telephone #: _________________________________
Number of Honey Orders @ $3 each or 10 orders for $27: ________
Amount Enclosed: ____________ (checks may be made payable to TBA)
Additional Monetary Contribution: ____________
Please send my greetings to the following children:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Please send ______ number of bundles home with my child.
Please return order form and check to the JLP,
300 East Northfield Road, Livingston, NJ 07039
Questions? Call our office at 973-994-3950
Orders must be received by 8/25/2015

JLP Adult Volunteer Form-2015/16

Dear Parents,
We would love to welcome you into our Jewish Learning Program. The JLP has a
small full time staff and many kids- so we often rely on help from our volunteers to
enable things run. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to become involved in the
Temple Bnai Abraham family. Moms, dads, and grandparents are all welcome! If you
are interested in volunteering this year, please complete and return the form below as
soon as possible. It will give us specific information about the ways you would like to
become involved this year.
Thanks!
Julie Sherman, President of the JLP Parent Teacher Organization
Please complete the rest of this form and return to the JLP office.

___
___
___

I would like to volunteer while my child is at the JLP.

I would like to volunteer while my child is in secular school.
I cannot volunteer during the school day, but I would like to help by doing small projects at home.

Preferred days:
___Mon. ___Tues. ___Wed. ___Thur. ___
Preferred times:

___any day with advance notice

___a.m. ___p.m. ___either

I would like to volunteer:

__once a week __every other week __once a month __a few times this year
Please check any of the following ways you would be interested in helping:
___ Holidays and Special Programs
___Club TBA (Junior Youth Group)
___Organizing
___Purim Fundraiser
___Other fundraisers
___Phone Calls
___Clerical tasks such as cutting, stapling, coloring, etc.
___ Costco runs
___ No preference

Childs Name_________________________ Grade: ____________

Parent/Guardian Volunteer ________________________

Phone #________________

E-mail___________________________________________

LEARNING is MESSY! LEARNING is FUN!

Help the Jewish Learning Program children explore Judaism through all their senses!
We are looking for DONATIONS. Here is a partial list of what we need.
Any Crafting Supplies

Plastic Storage Containers

Brown Bags

Dixie Cups

Old Digital Cameras or Camcorders in

Working Order

Stickers

Used Crayons

Toilet and Paper Towel Rolls

Fabric Scraps

Wallpaper Scraps

Egg Cartons

Beads

Buttons

Ribbons

Wrapping Paper

Plastic Table Cloths

Packing Peanuts

Film Canisters

Gently Used Judaic Storybooks

Yarn

Clay

Play-dough

Markers in working order

Scrap paper

Feathers

Glue Guns

Old computers, ipads, must be in working

order and no older than 2010

Pencils/Colored Pencils

Magnets

Velcro

Coffee Filters

Styrofoam Shapes

Foam Craft Shapes

Pipe Cleaners

Wax Paper

Paint Brushes

Childrens Scissors

Glue Sticks

Art Sponges

Jewish Learning Program Child Learning Profile

This information is being collected solely for the purpose of helping your child achieve his/her personal best and will be held in the strictest
confidence. Our goal is to help every child celebrate who they are and how they can contribute to our Jewish community. Please ask your child to
help you answer the questions.
Student name:_____________________________________________

Date____________

1) My child learns best by: (check all that apply):

o Acting out/writing a skit
o Listening to a story read out loud/discussion
o Writing or drawing
o Music-related activities
o Technology
o Reading and presenting information to the class
o Working in small groups
o Working alone
o Working one on one with the teacher or Madrichim( teen aide)
o Other_____________________________________
2) My child follows direction best: (check all that apply)
o Written on the board
o Written for them at their seat
o Verbally from the teacher
o Verbally one to one
o Other________________________________

3) Are there any ways in which we can help your child be more comfortable in class? (check all that apply)
o My child needs frequent breaks out of the room to concentrate best
o My child works best on the floor, away from a desk
o My child needs a quiet space to work
o My child needs to sit near someone who is working on the same task
Other_______________________________________________
4) We know that many of our students have other commitments that sometimes conflict with their time here. Please let us know if there are such
conflicts so that we can make every effort to accommodate their needs:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

5) What are your goals for your childs formal Jewish Education this year? (check all that apply and please add details in the space provided)
o Be connected to other Jewish students
o Be able to participate in worship by reading Hebrew
o Become knowledgeable about Jewish history
o Be engaged in thoughtful discussions around Jewish values
o Become engaged in social action projects
o Make a personal connection to Judaism
o Other __________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
6) Does your child receive any special services in regular school?
o In Class Shadow
o Pull out for extra help
o Organizational help
o Reading Help
o Other
7) Has your child been evaluated and classified as ADD, ADHD, NI or any other special learning situation?
Please be specific:

yes

no

8) It is helpful that you share any educational reports or the education section of your childs Individualized Education Plan that would enable us to
help your child succeed. Please attach a copy with application. Is there an educator or learning specialist from secular school that you would like
us to be in contact with to assist us in planning for your child?

9) Please let us know the parent(s) level of Hebrew and Judaic knowledge. (We would like to provide tools to you so you can partner with us in
helping your child). Please circle.

Feel comfortable with reading Hebrew

Feel comfortable with services

Feel Jewish education is important to me

Would like transliteration to assist in helping my child

PARENT 1

PARENT 2

YES

YES

NO

NO

YES

YES

NO

NO

YES

YES

NO

NO

YES

YES

NO

NO

COMMENT

We thank you for partnering with us in your childs formal Jewish education. We look forward to an exciting and fulfilling year for all of our
students! Please return this form to the JLP office!
9)

Jewish Learning Program On-Line Learning Center

Dear Grade 3-5 Parents,

This is an exciting time: your child is learning to read Hebrew and recite prayers! We
have chosen a unique new learning tool from Berhman House called the Kol Yisrael
Series, the first multi-media Hebrew primer. The series consists of a book and a
matching web-based digital companion. Your child will learn in the book in class and
will practice those new skills at home in animated online activities and computer
games. This combination is a highly motivating way to learn to read Hebrew, and
we think your child will love the program.
With the software, your child will also be able to hear the Hebrew read aloud in an
American or an Israeli accent, reinforcing our work in class.
The software is easy to use. You can access it from anywhere you have a computer and high speed
internet by entering through our schools private space in the Online Learning Center (OLC) hosted by
Behrman House. Heres how to get started:

1. Sign the attached permission form and return it to the school. The school will create an account for
your child. If this is not your first year in the program-YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO THIS! YOUR CURRENT
LOG-IN INFORMATION WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO YOUR NEW CLASS.

2. There are two ways to enter the OLC for the first time:
a. Your childs teacher may send home a sheet with a temporary password and log in

instructions for you. Go to www.behrmanhouse.com and help your child log in using the
email address you chose for your child plus the temporary password provided by the school.
OR

b. Check the email account you provided on the permission form for a message and a onetime link to your childs new BehrmanHouse.com OLC account. Emails come from
education@behrmanhouse.com. Be sure to check spam folders and add this address to
your contacts list to be sure you get OLC emails.

3. Please create a new password the first time you log inmake sure its something your child will
remember!

After completing these steps, your child can log in to the OLC at any time by going to
www.behrmanhouse.com/bholc or clicking Enter the OLC from the Behrman House home page.
User guides and tutorials for the OLC are available at Behrmanhouse.com If you need technical support
at any time, log in and click Get Tech Help to submit a support ticket with any questions. Someone will
answer your query within one business day, and often much sooner. If you have any trouble with your first
time log in, you can contact customersupport@behrmanhouse.com directly.
Nsiah tovahenjoy your journey!
Morah Melissa

NEW STUDENTS IN GRADE 3-5 ONLY

ON LINE LEARNING CENTER PERMISSION SLIP

Dear Parents:
This year, our school will be using the Behrman House Online Learning Center (OLC), a private
and secure online educational platform that provides a safe way to support learning outside the
classroom. We manage our own space in the OLC, and the only people who have access are those
who have been authorized by our school. Using the OLC, students will be able to:
1.

! Practice and review Hebrew or other material we have covered in class, using special
lessons and games developed just for this purpose

2.

! Participate in class or group discussions at the option of, and monitored by, the teacher
(students cannot send private messages to other students)

3.

! View missed work when absent, and see school-wide messages about important events

In order for your child to use the OLC, we must have your written permission using the form below.
We will set up your childs OLC account and enroll him or her into the appropriate classes. You can
learn more about the OLC by visiting www.behrmanhouse.com/olc.
The only information required from you is your childs first name, last name, and a unique per each
child (example: parent 1s email for child 1and parent 2s email for child 2) for email address to be
used just for sign up and any notifications regarding your childs class. *
Once your child is enrolled, he or she will be able to log in to the OLC from any computer with an
internet connection. When your child logs in for the first time, he or she will be asked to review the
Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use with you, and you will be asked to agree to them. In the future, if
you receive notice that either of these have changed, please review them with your child again. You
can access these materials at any time by clicking Privacy Policy/Terms of Use at the very bottom of
any page at behrmanhouse.com.
Thank you for your support as we undertake this new learning initiative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PLEASE PRINT (return to JLP office-NEW STUDENST IN GRADE 3-5 ONLY)
I give consent for the following child to use the Behrman House OLC.
1. Student 1 First Name: _________________ Student Last Name: _____________________
Unique email address:* __________________________________________________
2. Student 2 First Name: ________________ Student Last Name: ______________________
Unique email address:* __________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name __________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________ Date: _____________________

*Please note: if you have more than one child in our school, we will need a permission for each
student, and each student will also need a separate and unique email address to be used for sign up.
Email addresses used for OLC sign up are kept private and used only for OLC and school-related
purposes.

A Guide to Surviving Carpool at

Temple Bnai Abraham
Jewish Learning Program

Tuesday/Thursday
2015-2016
Tuesday/Thursday Procedures and Map
We are excited that our Jewish Learning Program enrollment continues to be so full!. After much careful
planning, it is imperative that all drivers follow the procedures listed below, and follow instructions from
any and all Traffic Safety staff. We need everyones patience and cooperation especially during the
first few weeks of school. The safety of our children and staff is the main goal.
DROP OFF INSTRUCTIONS
Drop off is between 3:45 and 4:00 PM.
ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-6 SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF IN THE LOWER CIRCLE.
ALL STUDENTS IN K-2 GRADE SHOULD BE DROPPED IN THE UPPER CIRCLE NEAR THE SANCTUARY
DOORS. A staff person will be there to greet you.
IF YOU HAVE A MIXED CARPOOL, DROP IN THE LOCATION OF YOUR YOUNGEST CHILD.
SLOWLY drive around the right side of the CIRCLE in a single line and park, discharging the children on the
sidewalk side only. Do not pass another car while in the driveway. 3-6th grade students should gather in
the lower level youth lounge for snack and Kehillah. Students in K-2 should gather in the main entrance
lobby for snack and kehillah.
PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS FOR TUESDAY and THURSDAY (See attached schematic)
1) First Dismissal is at 5:30 pm. We will begin dismissal procedure in the school around 5:24 pm in order to
ensure that we arrive to dismissal on time. If you are picking up early, please park in the third tier (green
tier). Each day, every student will be given a name tag with their name and tier number. They will be
asked to wear these for the first few weeks of school. We will dismiss earlier during the first few weeks to
enable the children to have time to learn and understand the procedure.
2) All carpools will receive a color coded carpool tier assignment before the start of the school year. In
order to be assigned a tier, please have one person from your carpool, email the names of every child in
your carpool to bsmall@tbanj.org.
3) All carpools with a K-2 student should park, with motors off, on the right hand side of the driveway
descending into the lower circle or RED TIER. A carpool is considered a yellow carpool throughout the
week whether the K-2 student is in attendance or not, and regardless of which adult is driving that day.
4) Jewish Learning Program staff will accompany rows of children to the tier to help them find their car.
Only once all cars have been loaded will any instructions be given to restart your car and begin
dismissal.
5) Second Dismissal is at 6:00 pm. Do not arrive before 5:45 pm as the parking lot will be full from the
early dismissal. Please proceed down the main driveway to the lower circle or the red tier (see next
page), following the directions of the facilities staff. All children in K-6 staying until 6:00 pm, will leave
the building through this tier at 6:00 pm.
After all cars have exited, any remaining students will be brought down to the Jewish Learning Program
for pick up in our office. If you are detained please call (973) 994-3950 as soon as possible. Here is to a
safe year! Any questions, please contact the office at 973-994-3950.

Carpool Guide

Tuesday/Thursday 2015-2016
RED TIER

YELLOW
TIER
GREEN
TIER

5:30 pm Dismissal
You will be assigned your
carpool tier in August.
Please email Brenda
Small at
bsmall@tbanj.org the
first and last names of
every child in your
carpool

6:00 pm
Dismissal
Please email Brenda Small at bsmall@tbanj.org the
first and last names of every child in your carpool by
8/1/2015

Guide to Surviving
Carpool at
Temple Bnai Abraham
Jewish Learning Program

MONDAY/WEDNESDAY

After much careful planning, it is imperative that all drivers follow the procedures listed below, and follow
instructions from any and all Traffic Safety staff. We need everyones patience and cooperation
especially during the first few weeks of school. The safety of our children and staff is the main goal.
DROP OFF INSTRUCTIONS
Drop off is between 3:45 and 4:00 PM.
ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-6 SHOULD BE DROPPED OFF IN THE LOWER CIRCLE.
SLOWLY drive around the right side of the CIRCLE in a single line and park, discharging the children on the
sidewalk side only. Do not pass another car while in the driveway. All students should gather in the lower
level youth lounge for snack and Kehillah.
PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS FOR Monday/Wednesday Pick-Up (See attached schematic)
1) First Dismissal is at 5:30 pm. We will begin dismissal procedure in the school around 5:24 pm in order to
ensure that we arrive to dismissal on time. If you are picking up early, please park in the upper circle.
You will pick up in the lower circle, where you dropped your children off. We will dismiss earlier during the
first few weeks to enable the children to have time to learn and understand the procedure.

2) Second Dismissal is at 6:00 pm. Do not arrive before 5:45 pm as the parking lot will be full from the
early dismissal. Please proceed down the main driveway to the lower circle, ALL CHILDREN will leave
the building through this door at 6:00 pm.
After all cars have exited, any remaining students will be brought down to the Jewish Learning Program
for pick up in our office. If you are detained please call (973) 994-3950 as soon as possible. Here is to a
safe year! Any questions, please contact the office at 973-994-3950.

Does your child have allergies?

Help us keep every child safe!-RETURN BY 8/1/2016
July 2016
Dear Parents,
We take the care of your children very seriously. I know many of you indicated on your registration
form that your child(ren) has an allergy. As an extra precaution (if you have not already done so) ,
please do the following:
1) FILL OUT THE ALLERGY ACTION PLAN LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET!
Please take the time to completely fill out the allergy action plan on the reverse side of this
letter. Be sure to attach a picture. These plans will be posted in your childs classroom as a
reminder to our regular staff and any substitutes.
2) All staff will be trained in the use of an EPI-PEN.
If your child requires an EPI-PEN, please obtain an extra for our school. Place the EPI-PEN in a
small plastic container. On the outside of the container, clearly label it with: your childs name
and grade, emergency telephone number, and the EPI-PEN expiration date. Please make
arrangements to exchange any expired EPI-PENS. It will be your responsibility to keep
prescription up to date.
3) Update us on any and all allergy changes.

4) We will contact you when we serve any food.

The Snack Shack will have peanut free snacks, and we will offer a gluten free option. Copies
of allergy forms will be held at the Snack Shack for reference. You may always send your child
with his/her own snack.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Morah Melissa
Morah Melissa Weiner
Director of Jewish Learning
Temple Bnai Abraham

Jewish Learning Program