New Hebrew High School Program at Ohev Shalom Gets Boost from Federation Grant Following Closing of Gratz Satellite

(Richboro, Pa.) Ohev Shalom of Bucks County’s eighth, ninth and tenth-grade students wishing to continue their Jewish education beyond their Bar or Bat Mitzvah now have an innovative new way to do so. Tichon at Ohev, a Hebrew High School program will emphasize learning in an interactive and collaborative setting.

“We are very excited to offer meaningful and valuable programming to bring together Jewish teens so they can learn and socialize. These years are critically important to teens’ Jewish identities,” said Barbara Glickman, principal of Ohev Shalom’s Hebrew School.

Glickman has another reason to be excited. Earlier this month, she learned that Tichon at Ohev was awarded a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s High School Transition Fund. Ohev Shalom was a satellite location for Gratz College before Gratz disbanded suburban campus programming earlier in the year.

Ohev Shalom formed a committee of educators, parents and teens to assess the continuing education needs and desires of its teenagers upon learning of Gratz’ impending departure. “There was a desire to create a learning environment that fostered a strong Jewish identity, a commitment to community service and a positive social setting,” said Glickman. “These priorities have been the framework for creating our Tichon at Ohev curriculum.”

Glickman’s roots in Jewish education run deep. Glickman is the Hebrew School Principal at Ohev Shalom and also worked as a preschool teacher, Hebrew School teacher, and assistant director of the preschool.

In her role as education chairperson, teacher Marnie Dratch is helping supervise program development. “I will be bridging the connection between students, our faculty and our curriculum development,” Dratch said.

Glickman assures parents and teens that the courses will incorporate elements of education, social issues, and will be “very interactive.”

In tenth grade, students have the opportunity to study with their rabbi, Eliott Perlstein, now integrated into the Tichon program. Rabbi Perlstein reflects, “it is exciting for me to learn with young people who I’ve seen grow up in the synagogue. Through discussion, debate, role playing, and mock Knesset, students confront contemporary issues through a Jewish lens.”

The school will meet one night a week and the evening will include a dinner where students can socialize outside the classroom. Special programming will include speakers and workshops on social justice, social activism and other current topics.

“We want the teens to be excited to attend the classes here,” she said.

Cantor Annelise Ocanto-Romo, who just joined Ohev Shalom from Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester, Mass in August, will be teaching classes at Tichon at Ohev. “I am really looking forward to facilitating our teens’ learning through this wonderful new Hebrew High program, Tichon. The excitement will come from exploring the values of our Jewish tradition and creating a partnership with how our teens live their American lives,” Ocanto-Romo says.

Marley Weiner, another Tichon educator, is a fourth year student at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. She arrives at Ohev Shalom after spending a year at the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Weiner will be teaching courses with an emphasis on Israel and the Jewish community both here and around the world. “I am thrilled to share my experiences with the teens. Our approach will keep students engaged and informed while incorporating important social elements and courses that are both relevant and through-provoking,” she said.

Ohev Shalom celebrates the uniqueness of each individual and welcomes diversity within our sacred community. “We are proud that our program includes special educators to accommodate the needs of all students” said Dratch.

“We are all looking forward to a wonderful first year of Tichon at Ohev, and I know our students will as well,” said Glickman.

Ohev Shalom is located at 944 Second Street Pike, Richboro, PA) For more information, visit www.ohev.com or call 215-322-9595.

ABOUT OHEV SHALOM OF BUCKS COUNTY

Ohev Shalom has been serving the Jewish community of Bucks County since its founding in 1976. Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, it is a vibrant and dynamic congregation that is committed to serving the spiritual, cultural, educational and social needs of its congregational family. Ohev Shalom celebrates the uniqueness of each individual and welcomes diversity within our sacred community.

For information about Ohev Shalom, go to www.ohev.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Students celebrate at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official launch of the Tichon at Ohev program on September 9. (Photo credit to FOCUS by alessandro).