Educational Programming at Ohav
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Ohav Shalom is proud to offer outstanding educational programs for students of all ages. For our young students, Ohav Shalom has both an award-winning religious school and an award-winning nursery school program that is unique in its ability to retain its teaching staff year after year. In 2008, Ohav Shalom received the Framework for Excellence Award and in 2009, the nursery school received the Solomon Schechter Gold Award in recognition of its inclusive early childhood education program. We encourage families to learn together in the many holiday and Family Education programs offered throughout the year. For adult learners, Ohav Shalom offers a rich Adult Studies program with opportunities for Jewish learning, experience and growth.
Read More About Our Recent Awards:
Ohav Shalom Talmud Torah Program Receives USCJ Award
[January 28, 2010] The Talmud Torah program at Congregation Ohav Shalom received a Framework for Excellence Award by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism at the USCJ Biennial Convention in December. Ohav Shalom is one of only 22 Conservative Hebrew Schools in New York State to have received this award for 2009.
The criteria for the Framework for Excellence for the Conservative synagogue school include:
- A sufficient number of hours and days to attain the goals set forth for Conservative synagogue schools
- Educators who are leaders, not just administrators
- Rabbinic interest, support and presence on matters of synagogue schooling
- Congregational investment in teacher training, retention and development
- Collaboration with and support of lay leaders, including good committees and a mission of the synagogue that places education front and center
- Commitment to and investment in teenagers, including high school classes, youth activities, summer camp and Israel experiences
- Family education that helps parents fulfill their roles as the primary Jewish educators of their children
Congregation Ohav Shalom has fulfilled all these criteria and is being recognized for "emphasizing a comparatively high level of intensive child or parent commitment expressed in ongoing participation in an aspect of Jewish learning or worship."
"We are extremely grateful to USCJ for this honor," said Rabbi Dan Ornstein. "All of us associated with our Talmud Torah program believe it's enormously important to provide a learning atmosphere in which parents are welcome participants in the education of their children."
Congregation Ohav Shalom Nursery School Receives Solomon Schechter Award
[July 21, 2009] Congregation Ohav Shalom Nursery School recently received the Solomon Schechter Gold Award in recognition of its inclusive early childhood education program.
Three years ago, the Ohav Shalom Nursery School began partnering with Capital District Beginnings to create a school that allows children with special needs to be educated within a typical preschool program. Through this partnership, Ohav Shalom Nursery School has been able to provide a Jewish early childhood experience for many Jewish children who otherwise would have had to leave the school to attend a special education preschool program.
"The guiding principal behind Ohav Shalom Nursery School and Capital District Beginnings is that children should be educated in their typical environments," said Amie Bloom, Ohav Shalom Nursery School Director. "By creating integrated classrooms within the school, children with special needs are educated alongside typically developing peers and are able to receive the special education, speech therapy, occupational therapy or physical therapy they require. Many of our students with special needs are unable to communicate even the most basic wants or needs when they first come to the program. The structure that the integrated classrooms provide, along with the intensive programs, allows them to grow developmentally, to develop friendships, to play with their peers and to truly become involved in the classroom environment."
The Solomon Schecter Gold Award recognizes inclusive early childhood programs that meet a number of criteria including the integration of Judaic curriculum, the celebration of Jewish Holidays, involvement of its clergy in the early childhood program and families of the participants, observance of mitzvot, and maintenance of religious observance required by the Conservative Movement.
"Ohav Shalom has always been actively committed to the full inclusion of all people with special needs," said Rabbi Daniel Ornstein. "Receiving United Synagogue's Solomon Schechter Award for our preschool's integrated classroom program is a source of tremendous pride to all of us in the Ohav family. Mazal tov to Amie Bloom, our preschool director, and her dedicated staff for this great achievement."