1840 University Blvd. West
Silver Spring, MD 20902
301-649-3800
ק״ק הר ציון אגודת אחים
© 2008 Congregation Har Tzeon Agudath Achim. All Rights Reserved.
1840 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, MD 20902 | 301-649-3800 | execdir@htaa.org
Rabbi Reuben Landman, Education Director – education@htaa.org
We have chosen the name Cheder for our religious school to give your children a connection to their ancestors and their past. But, of course, the entire atmosphere is different from that of the traditional cheder. That is why we call ourselves Contemporary. Our teachers are warm and caring, intelligent and encouraging. They have studied education techniques and methods. They are supported and certified by our local Board of Jewish Education, now part of the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning. Moreover, the atmosphere in our Contemporary Cheder is one in which children are encouraged to ask and learn and question in a friendly and challenging environment. We strive to motivate our students to want to come to Hebrew School on their own rather than being forced to do so.
Among the various innovations of The Contemporary Cheder of Greater Washington (CCGW) at HTAA, Hebrew language skills are taught not by grade level but by language groups at different stations. Students move from station to station based on their own growth and achievement. Each child is also able to receive individual tutorial for advancement or to help him/her reach the next station more quickly, but at their own learning pace.
History, customs, observances, arts, study of Jewish Holy texts, prayer, and ethics are taught from books, but mostly experientially and from contemporary examples. Students learn about the Holocaust by meeting and talking to living survivors. They learn about Israel from visiting the Embassy of Israel. We take advantage of living in the Washington area, which has a Jewish museum, embassies, museums in general, B'nai B'rith, Federation, JSSA, synagogues of all varieties (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist). The youth programs and Junior Congregation are integrated into the school program so that our children can broaden their connections and be better prepared for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Torah and Haftarah trope are taught as part of our curriculum, for both boys and girls, and davening (prayer) skills are emphasized.
The curriculum is flexible. The staff meet regularly on a monthly basis for continual evaluation, group planning and upgrading of our program. We take full advantage of being a small school and give our students as much individualized attention as possible, which could not be done in a big school. We are also blessed with a congregation of very educated seniors, in all fields, and we use their expertise as volunteers, along with some of the graduates of our school and the Jewish Day Schools.
I hope you will be as excited as we are about being part of our Contemporary Cheder. Your children are very important to us and we will do our best to make them feel proud of being Jewish, a pride and connection which can only come from an appreciation of who we are and what we stand for as Jews.
Please call us for any questions, comments or information at 301-649-3800 or e-mail: administration@htaa.org. You may also obtain a registration form below.
Registration Form
The Contemporary Cheder of Greater Washington
Sharon Wolfson, ECC Director – preschool@htaa.org
Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim Early Childhood Center offers a quality full day, year round Jewish preschool for children ages 2-5.
We are unique. Truly homelike, our school is based in a cozy house with a beautiful tree-filled backyard. Much more than a playground, our lush, natural environment functions as an outdoor classroom. Our children discover how things grow, observe small animals in their natural habitat and experience the changes in nature as we go from season to season. It is also a place where children build castles, “climb” mountains and “peddle” around the world on trikes.
Our mixed age group offers a source of rich intellectual and social benefits. Older children are role models and all children share their experience, knowledge and abilities with each other.
The HTAA ECC is dedicated to exposing our children to the richness of Jewish values and traditions, while respecting the diversity of our families.
Our program is licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education and Health and Human Services. We are members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Jewish Early Childhood Network, North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, and the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning Early Childhood Network. By intentionally maintaining low child-staff ratios, we are able to consistently provide individual attention to our children. It is our common love of children and families that makes our school a warm community.
Please arrange a visit at your convenience and see us in action. To set up an appointment or for more information, please call me at (301) 649-2348. I look forward to meeting you.
Sharon Wolfson
Early Childhood Director
Rebbitzin Gila Landman
The Rosh Chodesh Series provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the beginning of the new month in an informal setting with lectures by our own Rebbetzin Gila Landman featuring important Jewish women in our lives. The format encourages group discussion, stimulates the sharing of ideas, and enhances social relationships. Enjoy a worthwhile morning, a social hour, and refreshments - without charge.
HTAA Early Childhood Center
Rosh Chodesh Study Group
Congregation Har Tzeon - Agudath Achim
