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Bowling Green Jewish Congregation opens religious school
Jewish Sunday School first in Bowling Green History

Bowling Green, Kentucky, August 31, 2001--Congregation Am Shalom, the Reform Jewish synagogue in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is opening a Religious School.  The first Sunday School session will take place at 4:00 p.m. on September 9, 2001 at Am Shalom, ***, Bowling Green.  The program will be open to both adults and children.

Am Shalom was founded in 1999, and is the first Jewish synagogue ever in Bowling Green.  The synagogue is a member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the largest Jewish group in the United States.  Am Shalom officially follows the practices of Reform Judaism; however, the congregation includes many members who come from other branches of Judaism, including Orthodox, Conservative, and Reconstructionist families.  Although there have been Jewish residents in South-Central Kentucky since the 1760s, prior to the establishment of Am Shalom families from Bowling Green had to go to Nashville for worship and religious education.

According to Sunday School teacher C**** ****, "This Sunday School program will be designed with the unique characteristics of Bowling Green in mind.  The plan is to use a loose and informal structure as we need to reach various age and knowledge levels within the same classroom.  Our goal is to help students become acquainted with their faith and to understand and be proud of their heritage.  This is an exciting opportunity to work together to begin a new era of Judaism in Bowling Green."

The Am Shalom Sunday School will discuss Jewish history and culture, teach basic Hebrew, and introduce the meaning, customs, and rituals of the Jewish holidays.  The curriculum will also bring in the social aspects of growing up Jewish in a largely Christian environment.  To that end, the Sunday School program will help Jewish youth understand how to enjoy our similarities and celebrate and respect our differences. 

According to ****, "No study of Judaism would be complete without studying Jewish art, culture, music, and dance.  Certainly we will be studying Hebrew and the Bible.  Most importantly, however, we want to introduce our children to the tenets of Jewish thought and morality."

For more information, please call Am Shalom, or email the congregation at bgshalom@yahoo.com.

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