Beit Bracha

At Sinai Temple, we consider every child a blessing. That is why it is our mission to enable every child with special needs or learning differences to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah and a Jewish education.

We’ve specifically designed the Beit Bracha program to meet the needs of students with special needs or learning differences. Specific strategies, materials, and methods designed by licensed professional educators will be used to present the same curriculum as the Sinai Temple Religious School.

This unique program is open to both members of Sinai Temple and non-members. If you know of a child that might be interested in our program, please consider contacting us to start a conversation. We look forward to meeting you.

Classes

Beit Bracha offers three main programs to its students depending on age range and interest. The needs of each child enrolled into any program are individually analyzed and accommodated in consultation with parents and our rabbinical and program staff.

When

Sundays

9:30 pm – 12:30 pm

Wednesdays

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Religious School

Beit Bracha’s religious school program places each Beit Bracha student with an individual aide, or chaver, to make mainstream classroom education accessible. Students learn Sinai Temple’s standard religious school curriculum, including bar mitzvah training, Hebrew language skills, holiday and prayer literacy, and Jewish history and culture within an integrated classroom environment. The curriculum includes Hebrew reading, elements of the prayer service, Jewish history, and holidays. Through literature, art and music, students internalize an understanding and love of Judaism. Our religious school program is offered to students between Kindergarten and 7th grade.

When

2-3 Sundays/Month

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Followed by Shacharit Tefillot services

Beit Bracha 2.0

Partnered with Sinai Temple’s Teen Center Youth Program, Beit Bracha 2.0 explores interesting topics such as art, 3D printing and VR, drama, and cooking, and more through a Jewish lens.

Synagogue membership is not required to enroll in classes.

Beit Bracha 2.0 is offered to students between 8th -12th grade.

Beit Bracha Nights

Beit Bracha hosts after-school programs such as ice cream, movie, and trivia nights for all age-groups within the program. Events are held bimonthly and open to parent suggestions. Beit Bracha Nights are a great way to meet and get to know new friends with similar experiences!

For Beit Bracha families, the cost of our programs and synagogue membership are on a fully sliding scale. No family is turned away due to preventative financial circumstances. We are committed to working to support the needs of every student who wants to receive a Jewish education.

Veronica Schweitzer, Director of Beit Bracha

Veronica has a lifelong passion for working with children with special needs, a calling that began over 40 years ago. She earned her B.A. in psychology and a K-9 Teaching Credential from UCLA and then went on to pursue her Special Education Credential from CSUN.

She has since worked with students across the full spectrum of abilities and in various school settings as both a classroom teacher and with one-on-one support.

Now in her second year as Director of the Beit Bracha program, Veronica feels fortunate that her career in Special Education has come full circle. She is deeply committed to the mission of inclusivity and providing every child with individualized support, ensuring they can experience a meaningful and memorable Jewish education-–regardless of ability. It is her hope that each Beit Bracha student and their family feel fully embraced and safe within the synagogue community.

Veronica is the proud mother of three adult children and the grandmother of Emmy and Jonah, both of whom have attended Sinai Akiba Academy since they were toddlers. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering in the community, and finding ways to spread the values of Chesed and Tikkun Olam.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a special time for everyone. We firmly believe that each child is deserving of a memorable and enjoyable Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and that no Bar/Bat Mitzvah service looks exactly the same. Rabbi Nicole Guzik, Cantor Marcus Feldman, and Mr. Aryell Cohen, one of our beloved B’nai Mitzvah instructors, works with each Beit Bracha student to determine the nature of the child’s service and process we will take together to achieve the family’s goals.

Please contact us to help us learn more about your child and start a conversation about what your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah service can look like at Sinai Temple.

Learn More

Partnerships

Currently, Beit Bracha is a partner with the Los Angeles Jewish Federation, Looking Beyond, Fariborz Fred Matloob Foundation, the Sinai Temple Sisterhood and Men’s Club, Camp Ramah, and Etta Israel Center.

For more information, call us at (310) 474-1518