Temple Chai Religious/Hebrew School
Temple Chai’s Religious/Hebrew School meets every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 pm in our office at 1931 NW Military Hwy., Suite 231.
Our Education Director, Mr. Ron Heller, was born in Israel, grew up in South Africa, and has lived in the U. S. for many years and in San Antonio since 1999. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore. He is an experienced educator whose past experience includes a 6-year term as Education Director of the Religious School at Temple Menorah in Miami Beach, Florida. During his tenure there the religious school grew from 200 to over 600 students. Mr. Heller was also involved in the creation of Temple Kol Ami in Tampa, Florida.
Mr. Heller is ably assisted by our Associate Education Director, Mr. Howard Koota. Mr. Koota has 30 years of experience as a high school teacher in Brooklyn, NY and 5 years as an administrative assistant to the High School Superintendent of Brooklyn and Staten
Island. Following his retirements he was a substitute teacher for 10
years in both elementary and high school in Florida.
The goals of the school are to teach pre-bar and bat mitzvah students to read, write (both printing and cursive), and speak basic Hebrew and to familiarize them with the prayers and songs in the Siddur so that they can participate in Shabbat and Festival services. Ultimately, our goal is to bring the student to a level where he or she would be able a to lead a Shabbat service. Another goal will be to familiarize the students with the annual cycle of Jewish holidays and festivals. Students will also become acquainted with the Torah by learning the traditional bible stories.
Several textbooks will be used including a primer called "Haveri
Hachadash" and two other texts, "Bible Stories for Jewish Children"
and "All About Jewish Holidays and Customs". A starter set of these
books has been purchased through a generous donation from Ron and
Beatriz Heller/Martiniez in honor of their beloved uncle, Meier Lutman.
For further information call the Temple Chai
office, 210-340-2090.
