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Home > Learning > SULAM (Educational Program)

SULAM (Educational Program)

In the fall of 2017, Beth El introduced a new approach to Jewish education, a result of two years of exploring current educational trends and listening to our children and families.

SULAM Beth El takes a hands-on, minds-on, and hearts-on learning to a whole new level, challenging our children to Seek, Understand, Learn, Act, and Marvel as they engage in our Jewish tradition and the world around them.

A sulam in Hebrew is a ladder. In Genesis, we read about Jacob who, in a dream, sees angels ascending and descending a ladder. He wakes from the dream, realizes that God, too, was in that place, which he calls Beth El, the home of God. Our SULAM Beth El represents the ladder of learning where each child is encouraged to energetically ascend at his or her own pace.

 

How do SULAM Beth El children learn? Forget traditional classrooms with desks and blackboards. SULAM Beth El is centered in learning spaces where our children explore individually, in pairs and small groups. They think, discuss, challenge, and grow. They draw, they dance, they sing, they cook, always working toward a specific educational outcome.

Hebrew Language Learning Lab

On Tuesdays, our learners gather in person for our new Hebrew Language Learning Lab. The lab is for learners in 3rd – 6th grade from 4:30-6:15pm on Tuesdays. This program focuses on the how, what, why, when, and where of the prayer service, so learners are set up for success when they begin their B'nei Mitzvah studies. The Learning Language Lab is a fantastic opportunity to build community, strengthen Jewish identity, and simultaneously learn Hebrew.

We will maintain the Zoom option for midweek instruction (with a $180 fee), but we look forward to our learners joining us in person on Tuesdays instead of on Zoom during the 2025-2026 academic school year to hone Hebrew and prayer learning in a supportive and participatory environment.

Join our SULAM Beth El Facebook group for the latest information!

Preschool and Pre-K Programs at SULAM

Gesher (Bridge)

Sundays from 9:30-10:30 when SULAM is in session

Gesher is a class for parents and their little ones (age 0-3) from 9:30-10:30am at Beth El during SULAM. Gesher means bridge. 

This educational opportunity is taught by Beth El member Morah Rachel Eckman. Parents and little ones who sign up are welcome to join us for our SULAM family service from 9:00-9:30 and then go to the Gesher class, or you can arrive just for the Gesher class at 9:30am. The class meets in one of our downstairs classrooms, and we provide a snack each week. Gesher only meets when SULAM is in session. A little about Morah Rachel:

"I was born and raised in NY, and just moved here to West Hartford from El Paso, TX, where I've been living since 2011. I'm a single mom and my daughter, Ellie, is 3 years old. I work from home, and Ellie stays home with me as well. We love going to museums, zoos, and aquariums, so we are very excited to be in an area with so much to explore. At home we love to build and fix stuff (Ellie has all her own tools, but she still loves to take mine), go on bike rides, garden, and bake! We also love to watch movies, and in our house when the credits start to roll, you have to get up and dance!"

If you have questions about this learning opportunity, please email Dr. Eliyahu Krigel at ekrigel@bethelwh.org. 
 

Pre-Gan at SULAM (pre-kindergarten)

Sundays from 9:00-11:30 when SULAM is in session

All potty-trained little ones are invited to join us for our new Preschool program at SULAM called Pre-Gan. Gan means kindergarten and this new opportunity for learning for our 3- and 4-year-olds will be play-based and fun. Move around, sing songs, create beautiful age-appropriate artwork, and bond with new friends! Taught by Morah Sarah, this class is geared toward making learning relevant and meaningful. We are excited to welcome the class of 2039 to our SULAM community! Learn Torah and more about Judaism together in a student-centered and joyful environment.

Please contact Dr. Eliyahu Krigel at ekrigel@bethelwh.org with any questions.

Fri, May 16 2025 18 Iyyar 5785