Religious School 4th-6th Grade Retreat

We are so excited to announce our 4th – 6th  Grade Retreat!

Friday, February 24 – Sunday, February 26, 2023

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Sunday, January 22.

Weekend retreats provide a unique opportunity for Jewish living. In a safe and carefully constructed environment, our students will have the chance to freely express their Jewish identity, to make new Jewish friends, and to realize that Jewish identity is a privilege and an opportunity. 

We hope that your 4th  – 6th grader will attend this retreat weekend filled with fun, new and old friends, the great outdoors, ropes course, camp-style Shabbat, singing, engaging Judaic programs, arts and crafts and much more.

The retreat will be held at Camp Alonim in Simi Valley.
NO transportation will be provided since we are close enough to drive there.

ARRIVAL TIME: 5:45 pm on Friday, February 24       

PICK UP TIME: 11:00 am on Sunday, February 26      

The cost for the retreat weekend is $165.00 per camper which includes food, lodging, and supervision.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO TEMPLE ADAT ELOHIM. 

Allison David, the Associate Camp Director,  will serve as the Director for this weekend. Please make every effort to encourage your child to share in this experience. 

REMEMBER: This retreat is an integral part of the 4th – 6th grade curriculum!

 

Relgious School Teachers

Rikki Fayne 

Rikki Fayne grew up at TAE, and became a Bat Mitzvah and was confirmed here.  She has two daughters, Madeline and Sophia, who have also attended TAE Religious School.  During the week, she teaches 2nd grade, and looks forward to Sundays when she gets to spend time with our kindergarten class learning about our Jewish community.   

Melanie Berman 

Hello, my name is Melanie Berman and I am very excited to be teaching at TAE! My family and I have been members of TAE for over 13 years. My husband Brian and I have three daughters who have all attended  the preschool and are currently in the religious school. I have been teaching for over 20 years. This year I am very excited to be working with 8th and 9th graders!  I am really looking forward to bringing  my passion of teaching and Judaism to the classroom. 

Bilha Samuel 

Shalom, 

My name is Bilha ( BIL-HA) Samuel. I am very excited to be teaching at Adat Elohim this year .  

I was born in Israel . I came to the United States with my family as a teenager and  I attended Fairfax High School. I continued my education and received my B.A in Hebrew Literature and M.A in Education from the American Jewish University. I have taught  in day schoosl and religious schools for over 40 years . I look forward to teaching 6th grade class on Sundays and making the classroom an interactive learning environment. I look forward to meeting the students and the families of Adat Elohim .  

 Carolyn Cunningham 

Hi! My name Is Carolyn Cunningham and I have been involved at Temple Adat Elohim for 30 years. I started as a student, then became a madricha, and finally a teacher. This is my 21st year teaching Religious School at this incredible temple. Last year, I also became the youth group adviser for all 3 youth groups and couldn’t think of a better or more fun job as I am one of the founding members of our Temple youth group.  

I love to cook and have a passion for kids to learn in creative and fun ways. I have been married to the love of my life, Shaun for the last past 3 years.   

As an answer to Covid’s educational challenges, I started my own pod of preschoolers and ran my own summer camp. Temple Adat Elohim is my home away from home and I can’t wait to share all the amazing things it has to offer with my students and their families!. 

Bruce Udelf 

Although Bruce is new to Adat Elohim, he previously taught Religious School for 45 years at synagogues in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and Oakland areas. He has taught every grade from Kindergarten to tenth grade, and was named a Lanier Distinguished Educator (“Educator of the Year”) by the Los Angeles BJE in 2009. Bruce is retired from a career in the field of aging. He has two adult children, and lives in Newbury Park. 

Erin Goldberg 

Hello! My name is Erin and I am so excited to be your teacher this year! I have been teaching religious school for about five years and preschool for seven!  I have my bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I am married to my husband Daniel and we have an almost 4 year old named Livvy and a 7 month old named William. We also have two dogs, Rudy and Zuma! In my free time I love to read, draw, paint, and go hiking! I am looking forward to this school year with everyone! 

Victoria Larson-Green Camp Scholarship Fund

Viktoria was a warm, gifted, and compassionate girl who greatly enjoyed her time at the Religious School at TAE, including the Jewish weekend camps. She wanted to attend a Jewish summer camp, but never had the opportunity. Tragically, we lost her on January 1, 2016.

The Larson-Green family have created the Viktoria Larson-Green Camp Scholarship Fund to honor Viktoria’s memory and her love of Judaism.  Students in 5th – 8th grade can apply to receive a camp scholarship for day or residential Jewish camps. To qualify for a scholarship award, we require the student’s family be members in good standing at Temple Adat Elohim. A written statement by the student must be submitted with each camper’s application and must include:

  • Why you are interested in attending this particular Jewish day or residential camp
  • Why you are applying for a camp scholarship
  • A completed application form (attached)
  • A description of the camp program, if available

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION

Applications should be mailed to the temple office: ATTN Aliza Goland, Viktoria Larson-Green Camp Scholarship Committee, Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

All Scholarships will be sent directly to the camp designated.

The deadline for applying for a camp scholarship for the summer of 2021 is  February 19, 2021.

You will be notified whether or not a camp scholarship is being offered to your child on or before  March 25, 2021.

Jewish Camp Scholarship

Dear Temple Adat Elohim Families,

The Sisterhood of Temple Adat Elohim places a strong value on the importance of providing our children with enriching Jewish experiences, and therefore is pleased to announce the availability of camperships to attend Jewish camps.  These camperships are made possible through contributions to the Marsha Fayne Campership Fund and are supported by other fundraising activities of TAE Sisterhood.

Students in 4th through 10th grade can apply to receive a campership for day or residential Jewish camps.  To qualify for a campership, we require that the student’s family belong to Temple Adat Elohim.  A written statement by the student is to be submitted with each camper’s application and must include:

  • Why you are interested in attending this particular Jewish program
  • Camper’s participation in TAE activities and Jewish life
  • Past campership, if applicable
  • Why you are applying for a campership
  • The name and address of the program, location, dates, and cost
  • A description of the camp program, if available

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION

Applications should be mailed to: Nancy Federman, 32041 Kingspark Ct, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

All checks will be sent directly to the camp designated.  The deadline for applying for campership for the summer of 2021 is Monday, March 1, 2021. An email confirmation of receipt of your application will be sent out by Sunday, March, 2021.

Questions? Please call Nancy Federman at (818) 326-7506.

Below is a list of various Jewish sleep away camps.

Sincerely,

Nancy & Judy

Click on the image below to find out more about each sleep away camp!