Menu   

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.

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.

Religious school meets on Sundays from 9:30am – 12:30pm, and on Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.

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.

Classes are held from 11:00am – 12:00pm 2-3 Sundays a month, followed by Shacharit Tefillot services. 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.

SEAN ARISON, DIRECTOR OF BEIT BRACHA

Sean Arison’s focus in directing Beit Bracha is to provide an meaningful, individually tailored experience for each Beit Bracha student that allows them to have a memorable and lasting Jewish educational experience, each to their own level. Sean graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Jewish studies. He has worked multiple summers within Camp Ramah’s Tikvah special needs program and volunteered with the ETTA special needs organization. Sean has also taught English abroad in Israel through the MASA Teaching Fellowship, and received a teaching impact certificate from HUC. Sean is passionate about special needs education and committed to achieving the success of every Beit Bracha student.

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.

PARTNERSHIPS


Currently, Beit Bracha is a partner with Vista Del Mar, the Los Angeles Jewish Federation, Looking Beyond, The Jewish Family Service, Fariborz Fred Matloob Foundation, the Sinai Temple Sisterhood and Men’s Club, Our Space, Hevra, Camp Ramah, the Friendship Circle and Etta Israel Center.

For more information, please contact Rabbi Nicole Guzik at (310) 481-3234.