Chadeish Yameinu

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Navigation
About the School
     What is...
     When, Where, How Much
      Parent Obligations
      Student Obligations
      Who's in Charge
      Problems & Concerns
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      CY School Committee
      Teachers & Staff

Applications
      Kitah Aleph/ Bet
      B'nai Mitzvah

Calendar
      Kitah Aleph/ Bet
      B'nai Mitzvah

      Parent Meetings
Class Location

Fee Schedule
Forms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


About the School: Essential Information
CYCS Essential Info (pdf document)

1. What is the Chadeish Yameinu Community School
and what programs do you offer?
The Chadeish Yameinu Community School was founded in 2003 as an alternative Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation program, serving 10-13 year olds. While the primary focus of the school is Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation, we also provide the Kitah Aleph/Bet Group for 9 & 10 year olds.

2. When, Where, How Much?
Please see the Class Schedule & Parent Meetings (pdf) and School Fees 2008-2009 (pdf) information sheets for these details.

3. What are my obligations as a parent?
B’nai Mitzvah: One parent per family (at least) is required to attend monthly parent meetings. These meetings have been wonderful in the past. They include some study, discussion of personal and practical concerns relating to upcoming bar/bat mitzvah (what to do about including non-Jewish relatives in the service, how to deal with households with one Jewish parent and one non-Jewish parent, keeping it spiritual and not materialistic, etc.).

We also require each family to provide a minimum of six hours of volunteer help to the school in the course of the school year. We expect those parents who are not able to do this to "pay for their time" at the end of the school year at the rate of $20 per hour. We value your time, and even more, value your demonstration to your child that this process is of importance to your family. Please let us know how you would like to volunteer your time:

  • PR for the CYCS
    +Organize a Shabbat meal either at an off-site location or in your home.
    +Host a family learn at your home.
    +Help build a succah.
    +Organize, assist or chaperone a special event.
    +Other:_____________________________________

Ellen Abrams will contact you prior to the beginning of school to follow up on your selection. For more information about parent hours contact Sarah Young at @ 423-8044.

Kitah Aleph/Bet: Parent(s) are invited to attend monthly parent meetings. These meetings have been wonderful in the past. They include some study, discussion of personal and practical concerns relating to upcoming bar/bat mitzvah (what to do about including non-Jewish relatives in the service, how to deal with households with one Jewish parent and one non-Jewish parent, keeping it spiritual and not materialistic, etc.).

We also require each family to provide a minimum of six hours of volunteer help to the school in the course of the school year. We expect those parents who are not able to do this to "pay for their time" at the end of the school year at the rate of $20 per hour. We value your time, and even more, value your demonstration to your child that this process is of importance to your family.

Ellen Abrams will contact you prior to the beginning of school to follow up on your selection. For more information about parent hours contact Sarah Young at @ 423-8044

4. What are my child’s obligations?
B’nai Mitzvah

  • Preparation for Class: We expect regular attendance by our students and for each student to come to class prepared with their books, kippa and a willingness to focus on class material.
  • Attending Services: Each child in the school who is preparing for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is required to attend thirteen services over the course of the school year, before the B. Mitzvah celebration. At least seven of these must be Shabbat morning services. Certain holiday services may qualify, but must be pre-approved.
  • Attendance at Shabbat services, especially morning services and other B. Mitzvahs, is essential for the student to become familiar with the structure and content, to become more comfortable with the process, and to learn about being an active member of a Jewish community. It also offers opportunities in some cases to practice leadership. Your child will be involved in creating his or her own B. Mitzvah service along with Rabbi Eli, and will be drawing from all they have learned in study and observation.
  • The student is required to keep a log of this attendance, with dates and type of service. The log will be reviewed periodically. Three months prior to the B. Mitzvah, if the attendance requirement is not being met, the service and celebration will be postponed until the requirement can be met. (Note that the change of date will entail studying a different Torah portion).
  • Mitzvah Project: In the year leading up to Bar/Bat Mitzvah, all B’nai Mitzvah students are also required to put in a minimum of 13 hours toward a Mitzvah Project in service to the community. All projects need to be approved with Rabbi Eli first. Talk to him if you have questions about the Mitzvah Project. It is the responsibility of each student to track his/her own hours.

Kitah Aleph/Bet
We expect regular attendance by our students and for each student to come to class prepared with their books, kippa and a willingness to focus on class material.

7. Who's in charge?
Our teachers/leaders make day-to-day teaching decisions. The School Committee makes other decisions. The current members of the School Committee are: Debra Sloss, Ellen Abrams, Sarah Young, Carl Pechman and Miranda Allen Brower. Their contact information is here or at the bottom of this information sheet (pdf). Please see the policy information about who to talk to for further details.

8. Who do we talk to if we have a concern or problem?
Our intent is that everyone involved in the school is able to communicate on issues of importance to the school in a reliable and effective manner. To achieve this goal, we have established the following procedures:

• Comments about classroom issues should initially be brought to the teacher involved. The teacher, in turn, can decide if the issue requires the attention of the committee.

• If it seems inappropriate to discuss a classroom issue with a teacher, the committee may be contacted to discuss the issue.

• More difficult questions should be directed to a member of the school committee as soon as possible

• Educational policy issues will be addressed by the committee.

• Registration and logistical questions should be directed to Sarah Young for the 2008-2009 school year. Ellen Abrams is the treasurer and volunteer coordinator.

• If any decisions are to be made involving more than one student, those decisions will be made by the committee.

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Contact Information

The current members of the committee are listed below:
Reb Eli Cohen: 429-6936; rebeli@sbcglobal.net
Debra Sloss (Contact Person for the KA Class): 426-4800; dscloss@pacbell.net
Ellen Abrams (Treasurer): 423-8570; autybe@hotmail.com
Sarah Young (General Contact Person): 423-8044; sarahyo@cruzio.com
Miranda Allen Brower: 460-9118; Miranda@cruzio.com

Teachers/Staff:
Reb Eli Cohen: 429-6936; rebeli@sbcglobal.net
Sephy Elizai: 539-1105; sephyrad@gmail.com
Michelle Newman: 475-5554: michelle_newman18@surfnetusa.com

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Applications

Application for B'nai Mitzvah Class (pdf)

Application for Kitah Aleph/ Bet Class(pdf)

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CYCS Calendar 2008-2009
CYCS Calendar 2008-09 (pdf document)

B’NAI MITZVAH CLASS: 7-8:30 PM
TOTAL: 28 CLASSES + 4 FAMILY LEARNS

September: 11 (Ice Cream Social following class), 18, 25
October: 2, (9 No School = Yom Kippur), 16 = Sukkot Family Learn, 23, 30
November: 6, 13, 20 (27 No School = Thanksgiving)
December: 4, 11, 18 = Chanukah Family Learn/Party (25 = No School)
January: (1 No School=New Year’s Day), 8, 15, 22, 29
February: 5, 12, 19, 26
March: 5, 12 = Purim Family Learn & Skate Party, 19, 26
April: 2, (9 No School= Pesach), 16 = end of Pesach - Pizza night, 23, 30
May: 7, 14, 21= Shavuot Family Learn @ the Beach


KITAH ALEPH CLASS: 7-8:30 PM
TOTAL: 17 CLASSES + 4 FAMILY LEARNS

September: 11 (Ice Cream Social following class), 25,
October: 2, 16 = Sukkot Family Learn, 23
November: 6, 20
December: 4, 11, 18 = Chanukah Family Learn/Party
January: 8, 22,
February: 5, 19,
March: 5, 12 = Purim Family Learn & Skate Party, 19
April: 2, 23,
May: 7, 21=Shavuot Family Learn @ the Beach


PARENTS MEETINGS: 7-8:30 PM
All on the 1st Thursday of the Month (except September & January)
All parent meetings occur on the same nights as the Kitah Aleph Classes
to facilitate participation.


September: 11 – Parent Welcome followed by Ice Cream Social
October: 2
November: 6
December: 4
January: 8
February: 5
March: 5
April: 2
May 7

 

Class Location

Class Location:
First Congregational Church, 900 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
In the Education Building – park in the upper parking lot. In the rare instance when the parking lot is full, you might have to park at Westlake Elementary School next door and walk over.

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Fee Schedule

Chadeish Yameinu Community School School Fees 2008-2009 (pdf)

Thursday B’nai Mitzvah Class (full year)
--$500 before August 15, 2008 or -- $540 on August 31, 2008
Thursday B’nai Mitzvah Class (one semester only)
-- $350*

Thursday Kitah Aleph/Bet Class (full year)
--$400 before August 15, 2008 or --$440 on August 31, 2008
Thursday Kitah Aleph/Bet Class ( one semester only)
--$285*
*This option is for students entering the Kitah Aleph/Bet
or B’nai Mitzvah class late in the year.

For all classes teachers shall meet with each student and assess whether the student will need private tutoring prior to entering the class.

All fees must be paid by August 31st. Additional donations to the school are also welcome. If paying all at once presents a hardship for your family, call Sarah Young @ 423-8044 or Ellen Abrams @ 423-8570 to make special arrangements.

Please remember to submit: Admissions application/Emergency Contact Form & School Tuition Check Please make checks payable to Chadeish Yameinu and note in the subject line which class the check is for.

School Registration and Tuition should be mailed directly to:
(Please do not drop forms off at the school)
Sarah Young
941 Delaware St.
Santa Cruz, Ca.,95060
(831-423-8044)

IMPORTANT:
Please note that to take part in our school, you are also expected to join the Chadeish Yameinu community. CY membership fees for families for 2008-2009 are on a sliding scale from $750.00-$2000.00. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you have particular concerns, please contact the membership chair, Karen “Shira” Belford at 426-9271.

You can download the membership form here (pdf).

Chadeish Yameinu membership is paid separately from school fees.
Please make checks payable to Chadeish Yameinu and note in the subject field that it is for membership dues.
Membership Dues should be mailed directly to:
Karen “Shira” Belford
Chadeish Yameinu
PO Box 3578
Santa Cruz, CA 95063-3588

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 Last updated July 20, 2008 11:02 AM