Register for Religious School 2025/26
School begins Sunday, August 24that Temple Beth El 9:30-12:00.
Midweek classes start Wednesday, September 3rd.
Welcome Back! We missed you!
Religious School
At TBERS we consider teaching your children to be a sacred trust, and we strive to provide an exemplary program for all ages. Our school offers a child-centered program in a positive, loving atmosphere. We continue to be blessed with parents who understand the importance of a Jewish education as a natural pathway to Jewish adulthood. Our parents are active participants in school wide events and holiday celebrations. As many of our students come from interfaith families, we make every effort to make both our children and our parents feel completely welcome. Regardless of upbringing, Jewish education is a family endeavor, and we provide everyone an opportunity to learn in a judgement free environment.
Youth Program
Our Youth Program goes beyond our Religious School. Temple Beth El is a Partner with PJ Library and Knoxville Jewish Day School in a community-wide family programming for all ages through a grant for the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. PJ Library also offers programming for our community children.
For younger children, wonderful pre-school programs are offered at the AJCC.
Religious School
Click here to register for the 2025-2026 school year.
All registration is online.
Every family must register before school begins. We need to prepare for your children and must have this important information.
TBE or HA Membership is required. Families must be primary or secondary members of Temple Beth El or Members of Heska Amuna. If you are not a member, you must complete the ONLINE membership application at the time you register. You do not need to wait for membership approval to send your child to school the first day.
The online registration allows you to pay online using your own credit card. It is done through PayPal but you do not need to have a PayPal account.
Paying online or having a credit card on file in the office is the easiest way to handle Temple payments.
Options for payment 2025-2026:
- ONLINE: Pay in full online using PayPal service (PP account is not needed)
- ONLINE: Pay first half payment online and the 2nd half payment will be deducted from your credit card January 18, 2026.
- ONLINE: Pay first of ten equal payments online. Then a payment will be deducted from your credit card on the 18th of each month (September-May).
- Contact Tina in the office to set up your own payment plan.
We ask that you complete a credit card form opening day to allow Tina to charge your card for future payments. However, Tina will work out a payment plan that works for your family.
2025-2026
First Child: $465
Second+ Child: $445
Midweek Hebrew: $270
For 4th-7th graders (7th graders receive individual prayer instruction.)
Scholarship applications can be requested as a part of the registration processes. You will follow the instructions in the online Religious School Registration form. Assume that you will be approved and send your child to school with everyone else.
For those who have Membership at Heska Amuna only:
You will pay the same tuition as TBE families. Please contact Heska Amuna if you need a scholarship.
Click the links below to go to each form page. You will be able to fill out the form online or download it.
Ages
Our Religious School comprises PreK (4 yrs) and Kindergarten through 7th grade and our Chai Experience for 8th and 9th graders. We offer B’nai Mitzvah preparation beginning with Hebrew in the early grades and Confirmation for 9th graders and older.
Curriculum
We are very proud of our hands-on curriculum available through our partnership with the Institute of Southern Jewish Life. This curriculum offers lessons that are rich in Judaic history, practice, and culture. It is being used by Reform and Conservative religious schools throughout the South. Every lesson includes visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning modalities. Our partnership also offers resources from outstanding educators and innovative programs. Click on this link to learn more. ISJL
Hebrew without Tears
As the Religious School Director and Hebrew teacher, I believe in “Hebrew without Tears.” All children learn differently, and I want to meet your child’s needs through classroom lessons and additional help as needed. Hebrew starts with our youngest students and continues through 7th grade. Our 4th-7th graders attend Midweek Hebrew on Wednesdays. Our students are very proud of what they learn in Hebrew and are enthusiastic participants. I believe it is important to “Know what you say when you pray”, and we build a Hebrew vocabulary as we go. Our B’nai Mitzvah students are top-notch and always feel very proud of leading their own service, reading or chanting Torah, and presenting an original speech. Each service is tailored to the individual abilities and needs of the child, and every child is successful.
What to Expect
On a typical Sunday our children have ISJL lessons, Hebrew, music and T’filah. On other days we enjoy school-wide programming for holiday celebrations and visiting scholars/performers. It is my honor to partner with Rabbi Cantor Raina Siroty in our school. In T’filah we incorporate our love of Torah and music every week. Rabbi is also active in the classrooms and loves to help out in Hebrew. Rabbi Siroty works with the B’nai Mitzvah students to study their Torah portions and prepare their speeches. Naturally, our rabbi is pivotal in our holiday celebrations at school.
Membership
Our Religious School is open to members of Temple Beth El and Heska Amuna Synagogue. Of course, we love to welcome new families to our school. If you are interested in our school, please contact Norma James. normajames@tbeknox.org
