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Education : Religious School

Mission Statement

Education Director: Ken Firestone
Education Chair: Marsha Peltz

Ken Firestone Education DirectorEducation Director

Ken Firestone, MSW, MAJS has been deeply committed to many aspects of Jewish educational and communal life throughout his career. His multifaceted background includes his training and working as a psychotherapist, employment as Director of the Young Leadership Division for the Greater Washington UJA Federation, appointment to local, state and national leadership positions for the United Jewish Community (UJC) and professional training and experience as a Jewish educator. Ken’s Jewish experience has been enriched through living and studying in Israel. His studies in Israel included biblical archeology, research on the social structure of the kibbutz and studies at the University of Tel Aviv. He has a keen interest in Jewish mysticism having lived and studied with the Chassidim for several years.

After earning a Masters in Social Work degree, Ken returned to academia to become a professional Jewish educator. Ken’s graduate thesis at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College where he earned his Masters degree in Jewish Studies titled “Accounting for Educational Success in Jewish Supplemental Education” involved ways to better understand what is understood as success in Jewish education in our contemporary society. This work continues to influence his work in Jewish education. He is concurrently a student at Spertus College in Chicago where he is working towards his doctorate degree in Jewish Studies.

Ken’s work in Jewish education has been quite eclectic. It is both deep and wide. He has studied and worked with all of the Jewish denominational movements and is deeply committed to Jewish pluralism and Jewish continuity on many levels. He is also deeply committed to the idea of Jewish study being a life long process. He is committed to the need for Jewish education to be a holistic process that involves the individual student, their family, the congregational community and the society at large. The student is at the nexus of where these points intersect. To Ken, these are the elements that foster a strong and positive Jewish identity.

His educational experiences have given him exposure to wide range of cutting edge educational technologies. These technologies include multisensory learning and active learning methods. These approaches make learning more conducive to learners as it takes into account the individual learning needs of the student. Other approaches to Jewish education Ken incorporates into his work includes experiential learning, informal Jewish education and immersion experiences. Ken is committed to joining Jewish students at whatever point they may be in their Jewish growth and journey.

Ken lives in Lancaster, Pa. with his wife Lauren who works professionally as a psychotherapist. He is the father of four college age children: Ellesheva, Naomi, Rebecca and Jacob.

School Hours

Gan (Kindergarten)* Sundays 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Mechina (1st Grade) Sundays 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Prozdor (2nd Grade) Sundays 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Alef to Hey (3rd –7th Grades) Sundays 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Tuesdays 4:00 p.m.-6:05 p.m.

*Age 5 by September 1st

Curriculum

Our curriculum has two primary components: Hebrew through prayer and Jewish Life. The curriculum is designed to give students a broad overview of Jewish traditions and beliefs. Learning in each grade builds upon what was learned the previous year.

The Hebrew component emphasizes the study of Hebrew through prayer. It combines Hebrew reading skills with a study of selections from the siddur. Upon completion of the course of study the student will be able to: (1) read prayers in the siddur in Hebrew; (2) demonstrate an understanding of key prayer words and concepts; (3) understand the order of prayers in the siddur; (4) participate in and lead prayer services; and (5) participate actively in home ritual observances.

The Jewish Life component allows for focused study of selected topics in each grade. Upon completion of the course of study, the student will be able, on a basic level, to (1) identify the Jewish holidays and the history, customs and rituals associated with each holiday; (2) articulate a personal theology; (3) identify customs and rituals of significant life-cycle events; (4) understand the historical continuity of the Jewish people; and (5) be prepared to become active participants in the Jewish community.

Youth Group

Youth group is an important extension of the educational experience at Or Shalom Hebrew School. Students, beginning in the fourth grade, have the opportunity to participate in youth group activities through Or Shalom Youth Group and USY Kadima programs.

Post B'nai Mitzvah

Eighth through twelfth grade students meet with students from area synagogues to study at the Chester County Branch of the Jewish Community High School of Gratz College. The JCHS mission is to educate Jewish teens to be knowledgeable about the culture, traditions and language of the Jewish people. Students continue their spiritual growth and Jewish learning in an informal setting. The location of the class rotates between the three participating synagogues. For more information call Gratz JCHS directly at 215-635-7305.

Weather Related Closing Information

KYW 1060 AM: Chester County #860

Need Religious School Forms? Click Here for Registration and Volunteer Forms

For more information regarding our religious school program contact: Ken Firestone, Education Director or Marsha Peltz, Chairman of the Education Committee.