Welcome to Hevre*: a new approach to Jewish Learning
The world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah (prayer), and Gmilut Chasadim (acts of loving-kindness. (Pirke Avot 1:2)
We have used this teaching to inform the educational pillars of Hevre, our new Jewish learning program at CBI for elementary-aged students. Instead of parents dropping off their children every Sunday, the Hevre program includes four distinct kinds of learning experiences. Our program incorporates each kind of learning so that students will not only learn Jewish content, but also form friendships, become a part of the synagogue community, reach out to those in need, and find a home in Jewish tradition.
The world stands on three things, and the Hevre program incorporates them all.
Torah: Haberkorn Hevre, three Sundays/month from 9:30 am – 12 pm.
At Haberkorn Hevre, students enjoy age-level learning in a classroom style with engaging teachers and teenage madrichim (teaching assistants). Using hands-on projects and activities, students experience holidays, values, Torah stories, and Jewish history. Each Haberkorn Hevre session also includes specials like: art, music with the cantor, stories with the rabbis, t’fillah as a whole school community, and social snack time (featuring delicious challah and juice).
Avodah: Shabbat Hevre, four times/year on Friday nights from 5:30 pm – 8 pm.
Shabbat Hevre includes Shabbat dinner, services, and a joyful dessert oneg with the Congregation Beth Israel community. During Shabbat Hevre families will become familiar with Jewish liturgy, have the chance to socialize and build relationships, and share the joy of Shabbat together.
G’milut Chasadim: Healing Hevre, three times/year on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.
Healing Hevre is our chance, as a community, to do acts of loving kindness for one another and the world. Each Healing Hevre morning is a family experience that will include a bagel breakfast, a short Shabbat morning service, and a project that will help to heal the world.
Students in 4th-6th grades will also have a weekly online Hebrew learning lesson.
*Hevre: a Hebrew word meaning ‘buddies,’ ‘friends,’ or ‘the gang.’ We believe that Jewish learning comes naturally when participants form fun friendships and are in authentic relationship with their teachers, their clergy, and their synagogue.
| What | When | Where | Why | |
| Avodah: Shabbat Hevre | Participating in Shabbat services as a family becomes a part of the Jewish life experience. | 4 Shabbat evenings/year Dinner: 5pm Service: 6:15 Oneg: 7:30 | CBI Ballroom & Sanctuary | This builds community, family investment, Jewish literacy, and connection. |
| Gmilut Chasadim: Healing Hevre | A short Saturday morning service followed by a tikkun olam project like: making lunches for NourishPHX, Bens Bells, etc. | 3-4 Saturday mornings/year. Older students may choose to attend the BM service instead. | CBI Ballroom | Tikkun Olam is a meaningful expression of Jewish connection. Shabbat morning services build community & literacy. |
| Torah: Haberkorn Hevre | Age level learning with teachers, set curriculum, t’fillah, and Hebrew. | Sunday mornings 2-3x/month. 9:30-12 | Haberkorn Religious School Building | Consistency, content learning, connecting with teachers and friends. |
| Torah: Hebrew Hevre 4th grade and up | Decoding and prayer hebrew | Either 1 hour online or 1.25hrs in person on Sunday mornings, in addition to 30 minutes in class on Sundays. | Either online (weekdays) or Haberkorn Religious School Building (Sunday mornings) | Connection to Am Yisrael, BM prep |
Hevre Membership Options
Membership models:
Joining a synagogue is a big commitment with many benefits. At CBI, we are grateful to those who join our community. We also understand that not every family is ready to become a member of a synagogue, even though they may be ready to begin a journey of Jewish learning.
In the Hevre program, we understand that full-synagogue membership may not be the right choice for everyone right now. For this reason, we are offering the option of a Hevre-only membership for families with children in grades pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Hevre Option 1: Participate in Hevre as a member of CBI
Benefits of synagogue membership:
- Your membership dues will help Congregation Beth Israel to ‘keep the lights on.’ This is how we support and sustain our Synagogue work.
- Your membership dues include access to our clergy and synagogue for all individual life cycle events, High Holy Days, youth, and other synagogue programs
- Members of Congregation Beth Israel are eligible for need-based scholarships for Hevre
- Membership includes discounted rates & early registration for Camp Stein and Chanen Preschool
| Grade | CBI Member 2022-2023 | Hevre Only member 2022-2023 |
| Pre-k – 1 | $0 | $0 |
| 2 | $350 | $450 |
| 3 | $450 | $550 |
| 4 – 6 | $1100 | N/A |
HEVRE Option 2: “Hevre only” Membership
Hevre Only membership:
- Includes participation in the Hevre Jewish learning program for children in grades 3 or younger. This includes Hevre Shabbat dinners and Saturday morning bagel breakfasts that are a part of these learning times.
- Hevre only members will be welcome to join the CBI community for holiday worship and programming, though some additional costs may apply (click here to learn more about the family bundle for the High Holy Days).
- The CBI clergy will gladly be present with you or your family for any life cycle needs or rituals (weddings, funerals, baby namings), however, additional fees may apply.
- Hevre only membership is not eligible for a scholarship to the Hevre program.
| Grade | CBI Member 2022-2023 | Hevre Only member 2022-2023 |
| Pre-k – 1 | $0 | $0 |
| 2 | $350 | $450 |
| 3 | $450 | $550 |
| 4 – 6 | $1100 | N/A |