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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 Religious School classes will be based on a mainstreaming approach at appropriate classroom intervals depending on your child’s needs. Beit Bracha is open to all students, kindergarten through 12th grade. Each child is joined by a chaver, an aide, that will get to know your child and be an educational support within the classroom.

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.

blair-leibovitz

BLAIR LEIBOVITZ, DIRECTOR OF BEIT BRACHA

Blair Lebovitz kicked off her 15 year teaching career as a participant in the Teach for America program. She has two Masters Degrees, one in Elementary Education and one in Special Education, from Loyola Marymount University. Blair became faculty at Loyola Marymount University where she taught undergraduate and graduate classes in working with students with special needs. She served as a third grade teacher, Inclusion Specialist, and Resource Specialist in the Pasadena Unified School District and as a Resource Specialist for Horace Mann Elementary School in Beverly Hills. In addition to working with Beit Bracha, Blair is a practicing Educational Therapist, working with students in their school and at home.

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, 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.