Kol Chai Silver Award
Our thriving Religion School recently became the first Jewish organisation to achieve a Government backed Silver Quality Framework Award, in recognition of a high level of community based supplementary education. This is after having achieved the Bronze level last year.
The Religion School is headed up by Jacky M. Jacky, who is joined each week by a group of teachers, most of whom are members of Kol Chai and all of whom completed the JDE training (Education department of Movement for Reform Judaism), before joining the school as teachers. Teachers are helped by fully trained assistants who join to make the school and learning, fun and lively.
The team aims to motivate children to learn and enjoy learning at Religion school and encourages all our students to keep learning with us until they go to university. We run classes for each age group with a syllabus of Jewish studies, Jewish knowledge and Hebrew and also focus on being a good person. Singing is a large part of lessons and we learn Hebrew songs together. Classes are small and with many assistants who have been through our school we can offer lots of one to one help.
Classes
Classes run on a Sunday morning from 9:45am-12:30pm. Classes are offered for children aged 5 years and upwards. They take place in a purpose built school close to the synagogue, with some learning in the synagogue. For children 10 years and upwards, we run residential programmes. These are normally in the spring and offer fun and informal education. Children spend the weekend at a local centre run by run by the assistants who are trained youth workers.
Activities
Each year we participate in many events within the school or join with other local synagogues to take part in community events.
Mitzvah Day
Each year in November, Kol Chai joins thousands of volunteers to celebrate Mitzvah Day. Children from synagogues in the area participate in our inclusive event. Children from the Kol Chai religion might get involved in a number of activities. The younger children along with their assistants pack boxes of gifts for Barnado's, and have fun as they undertake the difficult task of covering shoeboxes. Two classes go to Stanmore Common and help the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum in conserving and cleaning up the Common. Older classes go to Neasden and helped pack clothes and bedding for World Jewish Relief. Find out more about Mitzvah Day here.
Many Kol Chai families join the event, helping out in a wide range of events. Some adult members encourage shoppers to donate groceries for The New Hope Trust in Watford, whilst others give up their time and join in fun activities. Each year has some highlighted events. Last year we visited to Pocklington in Northwood (Residential home for Blind and Partially sighted adults). We sang and chatted to the residents.
Recognising our youth
We participate in a range of awards that recognise the contribution of children and young adults in our community. Last year, two of our Religion school children were short-listed for Tikkun Yisrael section.
We take part in the Jack Petchey Awards [link to www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/] for London and Essex. Each year we are able to award up to 10 students a certificate of achievement and recognition.
Festivals
We regularly join with other local synagogues for school, including HEMS (Hatch End Masorti) and also with MNS for other special occasions.
Barmitzvah class
Our barmitzvah/b'not mizvah is a one year course. The course is part of religion school, with dedicated teachers focused on this special year of learning. As part of the year, each child chooses a T'zedakah project of their choice. Examples of projects include: raising money by sponsorship, collecting items and cake sales. The program helps the barmitzvah class to choose a community to work with and to give back through their chosen project.
GCSE course
Our GCSE Jewish studies course is available to students in school years 9 and 10. The AQA course runs over the 2 years and is open to young people from all local communities and other synagogues. A highlight of the course is a visit to Amsterdam to remember Holocaust victims.
