The Gordon Schools of Beth David Congregation
(18 Months–Fifth Grade)
The Gordon Schools of Beth David Congregation encompass an Early Childhood Center, Jewish Day School for children through fifth grade, and most recently the Tikvah Center, the only autism-specific program with a Jewish Day School in Florida.
Mission of the Gordon Schools
The Gordon Schools are dedicated to helping children reach their highest potential through our nurturing, child-centered environment and our program of academic excellence. We teach our children to cherish the wisdom and faith of Judaism and embrace its rich heritage.
Our age-appropriate programs promote growth and development in each child’s intellectual, social-emotional, ethical and spiritual domains.
Intellectual:
To inspire Torah Lishmah (a love of learning) that encourages students to be critical and reflective thinkers and promotes a lifelong love of learning in a highly individualized, academically challenging environment. We provide a comprehensive and highly refined, balanced curriculum integrated with innovative developmentally appropriate technological tools. Potential abilities and aptitudes for analytical and creative learning are nurtured in an atmosphere where our children feel happy, secure, confident and free to explore and question.
Social-Emotional:
To encourage V’ahavta L’Rayakha (love thy neighbor), self-sufficient, compassionate, considerate individuals who appreciate their own and each other’s uniqueness and are respectful of their teachers, peers and community.
Ethical:
To teach Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and raise socially conscious, caring children with an active commitment to giving tzedakah (charity), doing mitzvoth (acts of kindness) and engaging in social action. We teach our children to open their hearts and minds to the community, Israel and the world.
Spiritual:
To embrace Kedushah (holiness) and study of the Torah, the connection with God and the sanctification of their lives through prayer and Jewish traditions.
Early Childhood Center (18 Months-Pre-K)
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) program provides unique opportunities for emotional, social, creative, physical, and cognitive development of each child, within a Jewish environment. A warm, loving atmosphere permeates the center. Trained professionals celebrate the uniqueness of each child and facilitate opportunities for learning through "hands on" activities.
The goals of the ECC are to provide each child with a safe and nurturing environment that will meet the developmental stages of each child through:
- - A wide variety of activities that will facilitate the construction of knowledge;
- - Challenging situations that will encourage problem solving;
- - Promoting independence through the exploration of materials;
- - A language and print-rich environment for emergent literacy skills and,
- - A positive, age appropriate Judaic setting. Our Judaic program is seamlessly integrated into all themes, with an emphasis on Jewish values and the celebration of holidays.
For more information about the Gordon Early Childhood Center click here or contact Sandra Huzenman, ECC Director, at shuzenman@bethdavidmiami.org or 305.854.3282 x223.
Parent Seminars
Sandra Huzenman, the Early Childhood Center Director at the Gordon Schools of Beth David Congregation and Adjunct Professor of Early Childhood Education at Jose Maria Vargas University in Pembroke Pines, facilitates an informative conversation once a month about the latest trends in Early Childhood Education. With a different topic each session, Sandra shows parents how to develop the necessary skills that will enable children to be co-constructors of their knowledge.
For more information about monthly parent seminars at Beth David, click here or contact Sandra Huzenman, ECC Director, at shuzenman@bethdavidmiami.org or 305.854.3282 x223.
Gordon Day School (K-5)
The Gordon Day School provides an unparalleled secular and Judaic education and prepares students for success in Miami's elite middle schools. Learning is accelerated, cultivating critical thinking skills throughout instruction. With small classes, students receive more individual attention and more time to fully explore the world around them. Our curriculum combines the highest standards of academic excellence with the rich traditions of our Jewish heritage. We strive to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters growth and creativity.
For more information about Gordon Day School of Beth David, click here or contact Jody Steele, Head of School, at jsteele@bethdavidmiami.org or 305.854.3282 x236.
Tikvah Center
The Tikvah Center is dedicated to giving children on the autism spectrum the opportunity to reach their highest potential in a nurturing, child-centered environment with an individually designed program of learning. Additionally, as part of the Beth David community, our students will be taught to embrace the wisdom and faith of Judaism.
Our program for children 5-10 years old, promotes growth and development in each child's academic, social-emotional, behavioral, ethical, and spiritual domain. Our specially trained teachers use a wide range of highly individualized, research-based intervention strategies to facilitate language acquisition, behavioral skills, and independence. The hope is that our program will build a bridge for our students to achieve inclusion in a typical classroom setting.
For more information about the Tikvah Center, contact Linda Hakerem, Tikvah Center Director, at 305.854.3282 x242 or click here.
Parents' Association (PA)
The goal of the PA is to provide enrichment programs for children, teachers and classrooms through fundraising activities and community participation. The Parents' Association is a great way for parents in the Beth David community to socialize and get involved in their children's education. All Beth David families, including Synagogue, ECC, Day School, Tikvah and Religious School, are welcome to join the PA.
For more information or to join the PA, click here or email Caroline Waldmann, PA Chair, at theweinsteins@gmail.com
Discussion Group for all Parents and Teachers
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) of the Gordon Schools of Beth David is proud to be one of 10 Jewish schools in the country to receive a grant from the Kellogg Foundation to launch parent-teacher dialogues around Ellen Galinsky's book, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. Become part of our learning community by joining parents and teachers in our Mind in the Making discussion group. Open to teachers and parents with children of all ages. For more information about the discussion group, email info@bethdavidmiami.org.