ACADEMY 2021-2022
We plan to be live on Sundays in the fall! Scroll down to learn what to expect for 2021-2022.
(Thanks to a generous donor, we have a special incentive for new families with students going into K - 2nd! For more information, check out our FAQ page! Link below.)
THE MISSION of the BHBE Academy is to nurture a thriving community of Jewish students and families, balancing cultural, ritual, and community experiences with core understandings and skills, infused with a deep appreciation for the Hebrew language. We strive to provide students with the tools they will need to lead a meaningful Jewish life in the present time, in an environment that is vibrant, energized, and experientially powerful.
VIBRANT SUNDAY MORNINGS
CORE JUDAIC CURRICULUM
Students discover Judaism in an experiential environment. Torah, Jewish Values, Holidays, Synagogue, Tikkun Olam, Tefillah, Hebrew, Ritual, Israel, Lifecycle, History.
PROJECT BASED LEARNING
K thru 2nd graders learn through fun activities, using all the senses. Plus Israeli dance, music and more!
3rd thru 7th graders explore Jewish holidays in electives such Theater, Art, Circus, and Cooking, and develop rich, celebratory presentations for the community.
TEFILLAH & JEWISH LIFE VOCABULARY
Student-led community tefillah, embellished by student-created audiovisual elements.
(Sunday programming will be structured with safety and flexibility in mind, and may evolve and shift as needed based on conditions and family priorities.)
INDEPENDENT, FLEXIBLE HEBREW
The Hebrew Curriculum is personalized for each student, based on level, grade, and the interests/priorities of the child and family. (3rd-7th grades.) This can include Torah trope, extra B'nai Mitzvah practice, learning to lead the Shabbat morning service, advanced conversational Hebrew, and more. Remote at a convenient time. Individually or with a partner.
ACCELERATED START
Personalized Hebrew allows us to easily integrate late-starting students.
"My children love how the Hebrew is designed for them!" Larry P., Wilmette
"Our 11-year-old son loves the individualized Hebrew, working with two other children who will be celebrating their B’nai Mitzvah around the same time. All three should be able to lead the entire first half of their services. Along the way our son has discovered something he truly enjoys, built his confidence, and surpassed his parents in his Hebrew skills—we couldn’t be prouder." Daniel G., Glenview
FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY & COMMUNITY
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTION
Family programs and Shabbat dinners, community events, class get-togethers, holiday celebrations, school presentations, and more! Plus parents of individual grades take turns sponsoring and running the coffee station in the lobby on Sunday mornings, as the parents of that grade gather and schmooze! (Please note, some of these connecting experiences will be introduced next year gradually, as circumstances evolve, to ensure maximum safety.)
“My kids always feel like they’re a part of something.” Shoshanna R. Skokie
“My favorite thing about BHBE is that it is welcoming and inclusive of everyone, regardless of how observant you are.” Stacy B. Glenview
CHAVERIM: CAMP TUESDAYS/GLOBAL TUESDAYS
Tuesdays in the fall will be hybrid model. (3rd thru 7th grades) We will begin with Global Tuesdays, a remote experience. Our live Tuesday program, Chaverim: Camp Tuesdays, will begin monthly or bimonthly around the middle of the year, based on circumstances and the interests of our families. Both the live and remote experiences may take place on the same days, to give families a choice.
GLOBAL TUESDAYS
Taking advantage of having the world at our remote fingertips, students will experience tours of Israel, visits to Jewish museums, comedians, musicians, artists, and more. Individualized remote Hebrew can also be scheduled on Tuesdays.
CHAVERIM: CAMP TUESDAYS
We will be partnering with regional Jewish camps for facilitated Jewish experiences, time with friends, dinner with Hebrew blessings and Hebrew vocabulary. (3rd - 7th grades.) Individualized Hebrew can be also scheduled live on these Tuesdays.
“The dedicated teaching staff has been fantastic.” Allison K. Evanston
HIGH SCHOOL-AGE MENTORS
MADRIKHIM FULLY INTEGRATED INTO PROGRAM
More than 20 high school students serve as mentored aides in the program, providing role models for their younger siblings and friends.
2021-2022 ACADEMY FAQ
For tuition and membership information, school calendars, and more, click here!
For questions, a conversation about our programming, or to sign up for the 2021-2022 special incentive, please contact Director of Education Aaron Frankel.
STAFF CORNER
LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT OUR TEACHERS!
Laura Lerer, Kindergarten/1st Year Class.
More introductory videos coming soon!
BHBE ACADEMY & FAMILY VIRTUAL WHOLE MEGILLAH
This winter, we asked families in the school and congregation to create short videos based on components of the Purim story. We took these contributions and assembled them into the BHBE FAMILY VIRTUAL WHOLE MEGILLAH!
To view and experience, Click Here!
BHBE ACADEMY & FAMILY VIRTUAL VIDEO SEDER
We asked families in the school and congregation to create videos of 90 seconds or less based on components of the Passover Seder. Then we added conversations and songs with students via Zoom, and wove together the results. Thanks to all those who contributed videos and photos and more! Thanks as well to our Academy teachers and to Cantor Roytman!
To View and Experience, Click here!
FAMILY OSEH SHALOM VIDEO
For our Academy closing program last spring, which took place virtually, we went around the "room" and had each family sing a little bit of Oseh Shalom, which we later wove together into this Oseh Shalom video! It was a fun and vibrant experience and everyone present left feeling energized and full of joy!
View the Oseh Shalom Video Here.
ACADEMY IN THE NEWS!
On December 15, 2019 our Academy students participated in the BHBE Hanukkah Celebration with a great drama performance! Check out the article in the Wilmette Beacon here!
On March 18, 2018, we had a multimedia experience Seder, which included a circus performance. Make sure to check out the article in the Wilmette Life here and in the Wilmette Beacon here!