To the Parents of my Confirmands in Confirmation Aleph and Bet:

I am writing this directly to you for a number of reasons:

1. Class Time: Our class time is brief - Confirmation Aleph from 10:15 AM until 11:15 am, and Confirmation Bet from 11:30 a, until 12:15 pm. Because of this, I need each of those precious minutes with your child(ren). Please get them to Temple BEFORE the scheduled start of their class on Sundays so we may begin promptly. Thank you!
   
   
2. Curriculum: Confirmation Aleph:
   This year we're scheduled to discuss, debate, and constructively argue about the following: classroom rules; Judaism in all its forms (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist); other world religions (as many as we can get to). Most handouts are available for download on this page.
   
   In addition, we shall participate in service(s) at the Putnam Ridge Nursing Home and visit other houses of worship.
   
   Curriculum: Confirmation Bet:
   This year we're scheduled to discuss, debate, and constructively argue about the following: classroom rules; morals; ethics; values; moral dilemmas; cheating; examine music videos, TV commercials, and TV sitcoms from a Jewish perspective; the Middle East conflict; inter-religious dating and marriage; peer pressure; and finally anti-Semitism. Most handouts are available for download on this page.
   
   In addition, we are going to help the new Religious School children before and during the Consecration Ceremony, and participate in service(s) at the Putnam Ridge Nursing Home.
   
   
3. Parental Involvement: I am hereby inviting parents to come and join in on our discussions. Due to space restraints, I'll need to limit it to two or three guests per class. Below is a list of topics we'll be discussing over this term, so give me a call and let me know which Sunday is good for you, so I can schedule you to join us.
   
   Confirmation Aleph:
   September - January: Judaism
   February - June: Other world religions
   
   Confirmation Bet:
   October - Morals, Values, and Ethics
   November - Cheating
   January - Media and Torah Values - the MTV challenge
   February - Anti-Semitism
   March - Israeli-Palestinian conflict
   April - Peer pressure
   May - Confidences & Inter-religious dating & Intermarriage issues
   
   
4. Unit on Anti-Semitism in America: I'm searching for Temple members who can share personal stories of anti-Semitism encountered here in our country. We'll be starting this unit in February. If you have a story/anecdote you wish to share, let me know.

Questions? Feel free to contact me via email or leave a message for me at the Temple.

Reading materials available for download (Word documents except where indicated):

Beginning Year Note to Parents

Confirmation Aleph

• Judaism
  • 613 Mitzvot
  • Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews
  • Confirmation Beginnings
  • Halakha
  • ITorah - Is Reform Less Religious? [pdf file]
  • Judaism Today
  • Movements of Judaism
  • Orthodox Judaism
  • Conservative Judaism
  • Reconstructionist Judaism
  • Reform Judaism
  • TBE Mission and Vision Statement
  • The Thirteen Articles of Maimonides
  • Colored bracelets: Meaningless fad or important action?
    
    
• World Religions