A major component of the BMA mission is to instill within each child a lifelong love of Torah with adherence to Halacha; love and respect for Klal Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael; commitment to mitzvot; development of positive middot, and proficiency in modern Hebrew.
As part of the Judaic curriculum, Jewish Life programs, events and assemblies are designed to envelop our students in the mastery of Jewish learning, the ruach of Shabbat and chagim, a love of the State of Israel as well as the general appreciation and embracing of Judaism. With the help of our B’not Sheirut and our BMA Judaic Staff, below are some exciting programs that enhance our Jewish Life Programming:
Pre-Shabbat Ruach – In building on the pre-Shabbat ruach experiences of our students in their Early Childhood years, our Elementary and Middle School students benefit from pre-Shabbat ruach assemblies where they learn and sing Shabbat zemirot, dance, give divrei torah, and feel a tremendous excitement for “Shabbat Kallah”. 3 separate pre-Shabbat assemblies have been designed and customized at an age-appropriate level for kindergarten through grade 2, grades 3-5 and middle school. Periodically, the pre-Shabbat assemblies are merged, and “Gesher groups” of students are formed to enable our older and younger students to sing and learn together and to further foster a close-knit BMA student community.
Zimriyah – An end of year school-wide music festival BMA students are featured, showcasing their Jewish ruach and love of Am and Medinat Yisrael through the songs they learned throughout the year at their pre-Shabbat ruach assemblies.
Bracha Bee – Our elementary school students have the opportunity to learn brachot that will help them better understand their relationship to HaShem through praising and thanking Him for the gifts He bestows on each one of us. They will learn brachot that range from food to natural phenomena and the lessons will culminate in an end of the year bracha bee that will test their fluency and understanding of these brachot.
Middle School:
Chidon HaTanach – Our Middle School students participate in a national Torah knowledge competition for middle and high schools from across the country. Middle school students that join this team will meet once a week with their mentor to prepare for the competition.
Middle School Mishmar – Middle school students will have the opportunity to enrich their Judaic learning. This program will highlight BMA Judaic staff as well as guest Rabbanim, presenters and speakers.
Shabbaton – Led by our Jewish Life and our BMA Judaic faculty, each middle school grade will have the opportunity to celebrate the magic of Shabbat together with their friends, teachers and administration.
Community Involvement:
Yahadut Alley – Our main hallway is a space that envelops our students – and each individual who comes through – with an appreciation and love for Judaism and Medinat Yisrael.
Erev Iyun – A monthly Erev Iyun, designed and led by Rabbi Bloom, consists of a monthly hour-long evening of learning and inspiration for the school community. The topics will vary: During specific times of the year עניני דיומא (“seasonal topics”) will be explored while other times, education and parenting will be the focus.
Sephardic Culture – BMA will continue to offer our Sephardic minyan as well as numerous other opportunities for our community to learn, embrace and celebrate Sephardic minhagim.