| You're Always Welcome at EHNTJC |
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| Religious School |
| Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation 4500 Dempster Street, Skokie, IL 60076-2093, (847) 675-4141 Fax: (847) 675-0327, www.ehnt.org, email:admin@ehnt.org |
Our Philosophy of Education: Joyful & Responsible Learning
B’ruchim Haba’im! Welcome to the new school year at Ezra Habonim Niles Township
Jewish Congregation. It is our goal to assist your children in becoming practicing,
knowledgeable Jews who will carry on the rich traditions of our people. This is an
awesome goal, but one that is attainable through the partnership of excellent teachers
and dedicated members, committed families and attentive students. As I begin my
first year as Education Director of this school, I pledge that we will continue to create
warm classroom environments with stimulating programs that educate, and a school
atmosphere that cherishes children.
The feelings of Klal Yisrael (peoplehood) and Ahavat Yisrael (the love of all Jews) are
important to our identifying as Jews with other Jews. This sense of community
underlies everything we do. To this end, I ask parents to be a positive force for
involvement in our educational program. We ask that you be a room parent, member
of the parent’s group, or a volunteer in the school. We need your help and strength.
We need your input on how well our program is working for your child and your
suggestions for what you would like to see in the future. As Theodore Hertzl said, “If
you will it, it is no dream!”
Effective education is a partnership between the school, home and student. A Jewish
school can teach Judaism to children, but cannot develop a committed Jew. The
following is a list of areas in which parental support is essential and student
responsibility is crucial.
Parents are responsible for:
• sending students to school REGULARLY and ON TIME, in good condition and
ready to learn (properly fed and rested)
• showing an active interest in what students are learning (asking questions on
the way home, holding discussions at the family table, connecting LEARNING
and DOING in the home, visiting the school, volunteering in some capacity)
• attending family programs, parent conferences, and open house days
• periodic (or regular) attendance at services in the synagogue
• checking homework assignments
• communicating with teachers if problems arise
Students are responsible for:
• consistent attendance and the make-up of missed assignments when absent
• serious application to learning which minimally includes:
o coming prepared with books and supplies
o arriving at class on time
o completing all assignments on time, and
o actively participating in class
• appropriate behavior in school, which minimally includes:
o respect for the dignity of teachers and other students
o respect for synagogue property and school materials (families are
financially liable for damage caused by their students)
o no gum chewing or food in the classroom, except where provided for
as part of the curriculum
o no use of hand-held devices during class
• appropriate dress in school is defined as:
o all males wearing kippot when in the building (encouraged for girls)
o no hats or coats worn during class or services
The school is responsible for:
• providing teachers and staff committed to EXCELLENCE OF INSTRUCTION
• providing excellent support materials
• providing a SAFE and pleasant ENVIRONMENT, conducive to enhanced learning
and SELF-ESTEEM of students
• maintaining ongoing communication with the home regarding curriculum,
programs, student progress, and parental involvement opportunities
Our Program
Primary Grades (Kg, 1st and 2nd): Students study Biblical heroes, Bible stories,
Tzedakah, and Jewish Festivals. A Pre-Hebrew program stressing Oral
Hebrew School (3rd through 7th grade): Classes emphasize Festival Observances,
presented, and integrated with a Hebrew curriculum focusing on prayer. MeetsTwo
days a week-Shabbat and Tuesday
Lehrhaus (8th through 10th grade): Students in grades 8 through 10 undertake Jewish
study side-by-side with their parents in a program leading to Confirmation. These
classes deal with more advanced ethical and moral issues of modern Jewish life,
incorporating studies of comparative Judaism and comparative religion.
Our Faculty
Our faculty is a group of creative, professional educators dedicated to the idea that
each child deserves an exciting Jewish education where everyone feels valued. Their
goal is to provide the future with Jews who will have a strong Jewish identity
throughout their lives, and who, through each of their unique strengths, will help
contribute to the development of the Jewish People.
Our Policy
We at EHNTJC realize that the school tuition and fees can be an extra burden to many
families. Therefore, EHNTJC has several incentive programs designed to help you
start your child's Jewish education. These include school scholarships for those in
need, and specially designed first year dues/tuition packages that allow families to try
out our synagogue and Religious School at very reasonable rates.
B’ruchim Haba’im! Welcome to the new school year at Ezra Habonim Niles Township
Jewish Congregation. It is our goal to assist your children in becoming practicing,
knowledgeable Jews who will carry on the rich traditions of our people. This is an
awesome goal, but one that is attainable through the partnership of excellent teachers
and dedicated members, committed families and attentive students. As I begin my
first year as Education Director of this school, I pledge that we will continue to create
warm classroom environments with stimulating programs that educate, and a school
atmosphere that cherishes children.
The feelings of Klal Yisrael (peoplehood) and Ahavat Yisrael (the love of all Jews) are
important to our identifying as Jews with other Jews. This sense of community
underlies everything we do. To this end, I ask parents to be a positive force for
involvement in our educational program. We ask that you be a room parent, member
of the parent’s group, or a volunteer in the school. We need your help and strength.
We need your input on how well our program is working for your child and your
suggestions for what you would like to see in the future. As Theodore Hertzl said, “If
you will it, it is no dream!”
Effective education is a partnership between the school, home and student. A Jewish
school can teach Judaism to children, but cannot develop a committed Jew. The
following is a list of areas in which parental support is essential and student
responsibility is crucial.
Parents are responsible for:
• sending students to school REGULARLY and ON TIME, in good condition and
ready to learn (properly fed and rested)
• showing an active interest in what students are learning (asking questions on
the way home, holding discussions at the family table, connecting LEARNING
and DOING in the home, visiting the school, volunteering in some capacity)
• attending family programs, parent conferences, and open house days
• periodic (or regular) attendance at services in the synagogue
• checking homework assignments
• communicating with teachers if problems arise
Students are responsible for:
• consistent attendance and the make-up of missed assignments when absent
• serious application to learning which minimally includes:
o coming prepared with books and supplies
o arriving at class on time
o completing all assignments on time, and
o actively participating in class
• appropriate behavior in school, which minimally includes:
o respect for the dignity of teachers and other students
o respect for synagogue property and school materials (families are
financially liable for damage caused by their students)
o no gum chewing or food in the classroom, except where provided for
as part of the curriculum
o no use of hand-held devices during class
• appropriate dress in school is defined as:
o all males wearing kippot when in the building (encouraged for girls)
o no hats or coats worn during class or services
The school is responsible for:
• providing teachers and staff committed to EXCELLENCE OF INSTRUCTION
• providing excellent support materials
• providing a SAFE and pleasant ENVIRONMENT, conducive to enhanced learning
and SELF-ESTEEM of students
• maintaining ongoing communication with the home regarding curriculum,
programs, student progress, and parental involvement opportunities
Our Program
Primary Grades (Kg, 1st and 2nd): Students study Biblical heroes, Bible stories,
Tzedakah, and Jewish Festivals. A Pre-Hebrew program stressing Oral
Hebrew School (3rd through 7th grade): Classes emphasize Festival Observances,
presented, and integrated with a Hebrew curriculum focusing on prayer. MeetsTwo
days a week-Shabbat and Tuesday
Lehrhaus (8th through 10th grade): Students in grades 8 through 10 undertake Jewish
study side-by-side with their parents in a program leading to Confirmation. These
classes deal with more advanced ethical and moral issues of modern Jewish life,
incorporating studies of comparative Judaism and comparative religion.
Our Faculty
Our faculty is a group of creative, professional educators dedicated to the idea that
each child deserves an exciting Jewish education where everyone feels valued. Their
goal is to provide the future with Jews who will have a strong Jewish identity
throughout their lives, and who, through each of their unique strengths, will help
contribute to the development of the Jewish People.
Our Policy
We at EHNTJC realize that the school tuition and fees can be an extra burden to many
families. Therefore, EHNTJC has several incentive programs designed to help you
start your child's Jewish education. These include school scholarships for those in
need, and specially designed first year dues/tuition packages that allow families to try
out our synagogue and Religious School at very reasonable rates.
My name is Trudy Isbitz Brodsky and I am
the new Education Director at EHNTJC in
Skokie, Illinois. I am excited at the
prospect of helping the shul create a vibrant
after-school Jewish education for our
children in kindergarten through tenth
grade. Jewish education is my passion and
my life’s work. I was Director of Programs
and Services at The Kohl Jewish Teacher
Center, Education Director at NTJC,
the new Education Director at EHNTJC in
Skokie, Illinois. I am excited at the
prospect of helping the shul create a vibrant
after-school Jewish education for our
children in kindergarten through tenth
grade. Jewish education is my passion and
my life’s work. I was Director of Programs
and Services at The Kohl Jewish Teacher
Center, Education Director at NTJC,
About our Education Director
Director of Education at Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago and
an educator at NSS Beth El in Highland Park. I have been
called “one of the most creative educators in the Chicago metro
area” by my colleagues. What most excites me is to see
families having fun doing Jewish things together, whether it is
decorating a sukkah or learning how to do a seder for Tu B’
Shevat. But don’t get me wrong, I take Hebrew prayer literacy
very seriously and expect that our students will understand not
only the customs and holidays, but the moral and ethical
underpinnings of Judaism as well.
My credentials include B.S. and M.A. degrees from
Northwestern University and a Master Teacher Certificate from
The Morris Shapiro Institute of the Board of Jewish Education.
Many of you probably know me in one or more of my former
capacities, and I am looking forward to meeting you either again
or for the first time. We are creating a powerful instructional
team of students, parents, teachers and synagogue. Together,
we will work to insure that our children will go forward into the
future as knowledgeable, committed, joyful Jews.
an educator at NSS Beth El in Highland Park. I have been
called “one of the most creative educators in the Chicago metro
area” by my colleagues. What most excites me is to see
families having fun doing Jewish things together, whether it is
decorating a sukkah or learning how to do a seder for Tu B’
Shevat. But don’t get me wrong, I take Hebrew prayer literacy
very seriously and expect that our students will understand not
only the customs and holidays, but the moral and ethical
underpinnings of Judaism as well.
My credentials include B.S. and M.A. degrees from
Northwestern University and a Master Teacher Certificate from
The Morris Shapiro Institute of the Board of Jewish Education.
Many of you probably know me in one or more of my former
capacities, and I am looking forward to meeting you either again
or for the first time. We are creating a powerful instructional
team of students, parents, teachers and synagogue. Together,
we will work to insure that our children will go forward into the
future as knowledgeable, committed, joyful Jews.
Click here to see the September 9, 2011
article about Trudy as the new Educational
Director at EHNTJC in the Chicago Jewish
News!
article about Trudy as the new Educational
Director at EHNTJC in the Chicago Jewish
News!
