Magician & Purim Carnival, Chocolate Seder & More

Learn about our community events and RSVP!

Upcoming Events & RSVP

Event Calendar

Find out what's happening at BJEP this week and throughout the year

View the Calendar

BJEP Blog

Reflections on Mayyim Hayyim

Written by Aly Schenker, BJEP Parent

 

“Where are we going?”
“What is it?”
“Why?”

My two boys, ages seven and ten, were pelting me with questions – none of which I could answer. It was one of those mom moments that felt frustrating.

“It’s this place in Newton that has these special baths and it has to do with Judaism.” It was an inadequate description that felt flat and naive, and yet it was the best I could do. I looked to my husband, the one with a strong Jewish education and rich cultural childhood, who typically fills in the gaps.

(more…)

Relating Moses to Marie Kondo’s Approach to Housework and Taking Care of Our Things

Parashat Yitro and Habits

By Cantor Jeri Robins, BJEP’s Director

The Torah portion, Yitro, is among my favorite in the Torah. This is the part of the Torah where we receive the Ten Commandments. But, the reason that I like it so much is because of how the Torah portion starts. Moses is listening to the grievances of the Israelites, sitting as a judge from the morning until the evening. His father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro), asks him, “what is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why are you sitting alone?” Moses responds that the people are coming to him to help them settle their disputes, so that they will know what to do in order to follow God’s laws. In what I imagine as a combination of humor and exhortation, Yitro replies,

לֹא-טוֹב, הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה, עֹשֶׂה.

“This thing that you are doing, it is not good!” (more…)

Giving Thanks and Incorporating Themes of Justice

As we approach Thanksgiving this year, I want to offer two observations. The first is that there are Jewish connections to the holiday. There is historical evidence that, prior to coming to the New World, the Pilgrims lived among Sephardic Jews in Holland for a brief time. During that period, they would have experienced Sukkot celebrations, which then served as part of the inspiration for Thanksgiving, including eating seasonal foods that would have been harvested, such as apples and squashes. In addition, there are those who say that the cornucopia imagery of Thanksgiving is drawn from the shape of a shofar.

(more…)

Thank You for Your Service

What does it mean to serve?

The definition of “serve” is varied. For example, as an intransitive verb (not having a direct object and, yes, I had to look that up), it has seven different meanings, including:

  • as a servant or in the military
  • to be of use
  • to be worthy of reliance or trust
  • to hold an office
  • to prove adequate or satisfactory
  • to help persons to food
  • to wait on customers
  • to put a ball or shuttlecock in play in games like tennis or badminton.

(more…)

Hineni: “I am ready” and “I am prepared

Shalom! I am so happy to be starting my third year serving BJEP as your Director.

 

As you might expect, the start of school and High Holiday preparations are always daunting for a Jewish professional and no prayer brings that point home more than the Hineni (הִנֵנִי), which reflects on the ability to pray with humility and sincerity, while fearing that one is unworthy of the task. Hineni ִmeans much more than just the perfunctory “here” some of us may remember from attendance in school. Rather, Hineni ִis “I am ready” or “I am prepared” or, more liberally, “I am present and paying close attention to what is being asked of me.”

(more…)

Read all BJEP Blog Posts >> 

Upcoming Events

March 24, 2019
  • BJEP Classes
    Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
  • Legacy and Learning Fair Open House - All Are Welcome!
    Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Come to an open house on a special BJEP day. Join us as our 6th graders get creative and share their family legacies. Students will showcase family recipes, artifacts, and stories. All projects give a window into our unique cultural and Jewish educational program housed on the vibrant Brandeis Campus. Guests will be invited to participate in making a legacy collage art project that will highlight their own family history.

    Interested in cultivating your child’s authentic connection to Jewish tradition, culture, and values? Looking for an independent Hebrew School with passionate teachers and a fun curriculum? Seeking to become a part of a Jewish community?

    BJEP, a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive educational program serving students from pre-K to Grade 7 and their families invites you to join us at one of our Open Houses this Spring. Through an interactive curriculum, BJEP instills in our students a sense of joy and belonging within the Jewish community and knowledge of Jewish traditions and the Hebrew language.

    RSVP to attend and we will reply with information on where to park: https://goo.gl/forms/pHZrrLqOIrqtK3O63
    Questions contact info@bjep.com.

    More details...
  • Legacy Fair - all welcome!
    Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

    Judaism teaches the importance of intergenerational learning, l’dor v’dor - from generation to generation. Join us as 6th graders honor an important family member by presenting their legacy.

    We invite all parents to visit the legacy fair!

    More details...
March 31, 2019
April 7, 2019
  • BJEP Classes K-7
    Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
  • Chocolate Seder & Open House - All Are Welcome!
    Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Blood, frogs, locusts, Hershey kisses, Tootsie Rolls, and chocolate-covered Matzo is all included in our unique BJEP Chocolate Seder. Please join us for a chocolaty twist to celebrate Passover.

    Interested in cultivating your child’s authentic connection to Jewish tradition, culture, and values? Looking for an independent Hebrew School with passionate teachers and a fun curriculum? Seeking to become a part of a Jewish community?

    BJEP, a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive educational program serving students from pre-K to Grade 7 and their families invites you to join us at one of our Open Houses this Spring. Through an interactive curriculum, BJEP instills in our students a sense of joy and belonging within the Jewish community and knowledge of Jewish traditions and the Hebrew language.

    RSVP to attend and we will reply with information on where to park: https://goo.gl/forms/pHZrrLqOIrqtK3O63

    Questions contact info@bjep.com.

    More details...
  • 3rd Grade Family Passover Seder
    Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
April 14, 2019
April 21, 2019
April 28, 2019
  • Family Mitzvah Day - All Are Welcome!
    Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

    This special Family Day is designed to celebrate the BJEP community. Please plan to stay at Family Table with your children.

    There is nothing that feels better than helping others. Please join us to participate in a variety of activities, appropriate for different age groups, BJEP is able to give back to the community, both in Waltham and beyond. Some projects include making sandwiches for the homeless, making dog toys for animals in the shelter, making cards with inspirational messages for kids and young people who are in need. BJEP's Mitzvah Day is one of our favorite days of the year! In the Torah, we learn "na-aseh v'nishma," which means "we will do and we will listen/understand." Our sages understood that, sometimes, the best learning happens through doing!

    Interested in cultivating your child’s authentic connection to Jewish tradition, culture, and values? Looking for an independent Hebrew School with passionate teachers and a fun curriculum? Seeking to become a part of a Jewish community?

    BJEP, a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive educational program serving students from pre-K to Grade 7 and their families invites you to join us at one of our Open Houses this Spring. Through an interactive curriculum, BJEP instills in our students a sense of joy and belonging within the Jewish community and knowledge of Jewish traditions and the Hebrew language.

    RSVP to attend and we will reply with information on where to park: https://goo.gl/forms/pHZrrLqOIrqtK3O63
    Questions contact info@bjep.com.

    More details...
May 5, 2019
  • BJEP Classes K-7, End-of-Year Celebration & Moving-Up Ceremony
    Time: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
  • 7th Grade Graduation
    Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
See full calendar