VTS & Jewish Experiential Learning

We have been working on planning what VTS and TNT will look like in light of the COVID-related news that continues to change over time. Here is what we can share about our health and safety protocols for the opening of school on September 12.

The current plan is to follow the lead of public schools around San Diego, and open for fully in-person classes using safety measures in line with CDC, state and local health guidelines. Under advisement from our COVID advisory team, here are our protocols for school in the Fall: 

1. All in-person classroom teachers will be vaccinated and masked at all times.   

2. Students will remain masked at all times, and appropriate distance will be maintained.   

3. VTS classes too large to space appropriately in the classrooms will be held in larger spaces on campus, and outdoors as much as possible.

4. Small classes where appropriate distancing and ventilation can be maintained may be held in larger classrooms. 

All of these things being said, we know that public health guidelines can change at any time and are doing our best to plan for other contingencies. 

All of these things being said, we know that public health guidelines can change at any time and are doing our best to plan for other contingencies. 

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For Grades K-7, Judaism is brought to life in our Viterbi Torah School (VTS) and Kadima/USY programs. At VTS, our teachers create inviting and interactive classroom environments in which foundational skills are built. In Kadima/USY, children experience what makes it fun and cool to be Jewish in a safe space.

In the Viterbi Torah School (VTS), rabbis and teachers strive to develop responsible and knowledgeable individuals with positive Jewish identities who participate actively and joyfully in Jewish life. Our curriculum offers classes and programs to impart religious character, ethical awareness, and a love of Judaism. Our focus is to provide learning settings that tell the Jewish story as our students learn Hebrew, prayer, Jewish celebrations, texts, ideas, ethics, and values specifically designed for their age. While learning and experiencing together, our youth form friendships and create Jewish community.

In formal and informal settings, our vision is to provide our students, and their families, with holistic Jewish experiences integrating engaging classroom time, the acquisition of Hebrew language skills, authentic moments of prayer, exploration of what it means to be Jewish in our world today, and the celebration of Shabbat and our tradition’s holidays.

We are offering new programs including:
- Shabbat Swap (Gan-6th Grade) – Each grade will lead a family service or a Shabbat dinner as an opportunity to put into practice what they learn in the classroom through an authentic prayer experience.
- Family Program (Gan-6th Grade) – An alternative hands-on program in which parents will engage in Jewish learning alongside their children. This will take place during normal VTS Sunday hours.
- 7th and 8th Grade Excursions – 7th graders will learn about and visit “Jewish San Diego” and 8th graders will travel to Los Angeles.
- Oneg Shabbat – Welcome Shabbat by joining us for an Oneg Shabbat before our Friday evening family service. Families can schmooze, have an appetizer (and a glass of wine for parents) and then participate in a Friday night Shabbat service.

We offer these opportunities to provide you and your family with multiple paths of Jewish expression and engagement. We understand the commitment required to prioritize Jewish education and social experiences in a busy family schedule. Our program seeks to make every moment a child spends with us at Congregation Beth El a meaningful and enriching one. 

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