Congregation Beth Torah announced this week an innovative shift to its members’ financial commitment to the congregation. The board of trustees announced its members will no longer have to pay religious school tuition. Beth Torah is also making another large policy shift by opening up its religious school to everyone in the Jewish community. In doing so, it is increasing its dedication to educating the next generation of Jews in the Kansas City Jewish community.
“Our board of trustees understands that it can be expensive for our members to live a Jewish life. So as a congregation we decided to take steps to decrease the financial burden of being a member,” explained congregation President Linda Zappulla.
“It is also a very tangible commitment of congregational leadership and the entire community to help our children gain a great Jewish education. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}It is a dramatic public statement of the importance of Jewish education to Beth Torah,” she continued.
The congregation has a challenge grant in place to fund this initiative.
“We know that the many Beth Torah families who love the Weiner Religious School will be our ambassadors in sharing this news with the community.”
Zappulla said another reason this change was made is because “we know the world in which Congregation Beth Torah lives today is very different from when we were founded 26 years ago.”
“Yet, as we go through our first generational shift, we find that our values are the same. As we review what hundreds of our members have told us over the last two years, we find our commitment to young families and Jewish education is unwavering.”
Zappulla said the invitation to other families in the Jewish community to send their children to the Weiner Religious School “is extending our value of education outside our walls.” This is the first time the congregation has opened its enrollment, for a fee, to children of non-members. With classes for children in grades Pre-K to 10, Beth Torah has the only religious school in the metropolitan area accredited by the Association for Reform Jewish Educators (formerly NATE).
“This further demonstrates our deep commitment to making it easy for children to receive a Jewish education,” Zappulla noted.
Interim Rabbi Rick Shapiro said that Beth Torah’s new approach to Jewish education is a bold step forward, continuing its history of leadership in Jewish education and the Jewish community.
“They have a clear understanding of the challenges we face in Jewish education today, and they are committed to providing a quality, value-based education to all children who would like one,” the rabbi said.
Congregation Beth Torah describes itself as a forward thinking, Reform Jewish congregation located in central Johnson County, known for congregants dedicated to Torah, lifelong learning, worship and acts of loving kindness. Beth Torah has been welcoming a diverse population of Jews since 1988 and has been nationally recognized for its audacious hospitality. Rooted deeply in the words of Torah, the congregation’s mission is to promote ethical Jewish living, spiritual and personal growth and the continuity of the Jewish people.
“The staff at Congregation Beth Torah is ready to discuss your future in the congregation. Give them a call, we’d love to hear from you,” Zappulla said.
Beth Torah can be reached by phone at 913-498-2212 or at . To learn more about the congregation, visit www.beth-torah.org.{/mprestriction}