Please review our Guide to our Religious School
Congregation Agudas Achim Religious School (CAARS) provides a well-rounded education, grounded in Jewish literacy and the development of a strong Jewish identity. Jewish literacy emphasizes Jewish understanding of God and the Conservative Jew’s struggle to live with halacha (Jewish law and tradition) in the modern world. Literacy is based on Torah and prayer, well-versed in reading the Hebrew language. Our children’s identity will be based upon an understanding of Jewish ethical values, concern and identification with K’lal Yisrael (the Jewish People), and knowledge of Jewish culture; all grounded in family, spirituality, and service to God. Our vision of the education at CAARS creates the foundation for life-long Jewish learning and living.
We have started started a Selah School program. Click here for more information.
The CAARS instills in its students a love of being Jewish and an understanding of God. We feel this love is fostered through a comprehensive CAARS curriculum centered on Jewish values, Hebrew and Tefillah, and knowledge of our history. The curriculum develops Hebrew skills, prayer book skills and mastery of the following concepts:
Limmud Torah - Jewish learning
Tzedakah - giving to make the world a more just place
G’milut Hesed - acts of loving kindness
Kibud Av V’aim - honoring parents
Lashon Ha’ra - refraining from hurting others through speech
Emet - truth telling
B’kur Holim - visiting the sick
Tikun Olam - mending the world
Ahavat Yisrael - identifying with the Jewish people and the modern state
Ahavat Habriyot - a loving concern for others
B’tzelem Elohim - All humans are created in the Divine image and should be respected as such
|
Number of students enrolled |
272 |
|
Number of teachers with university degrees |
20 |
|
Number of teachers with advanced degrees |
11 |
|
Number of Madrichim (advanced student helpers) |
30 |
|
Milestone |
Year |
Typical time |
|
Consecration marks the time when our congregation welcomes our youngest students to the beginning of their formal Jewish education. |
Kindergarten |
December |
|
Kabbalat haSiddur marks the public acceptance of our students of their responsibility to learn liturgical Hebrew and one day lead the congregation in prayer. Each child receives a “Sim Shalom” siddur. |
Third grade |
April |
|
Kabbalat haTorah marks the beginning of formal preparation for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. All children receive their own copy of the “Etz Hayim” chumash to prepare for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. |
Sixth grade |
November |
|
Bar/Bat Mitzvah when children reach an age where they become responsible for their own actions andy my lead prayer and other services in the family and the community. |
6th and 7th grades |
According to Hebrew birthdate |
|
Bikkurim (First Fruits) signifying the first fruits brought to the temple as found in the Michnah and the Talmud. |
10th grade |
Shavuot |
|
Graduation |
12th grade |
End of school year |
Funding
Providing our children a Jewish education is a core mission of Congregation Agudas Achim. General fundraising pays for 37 percent of the costs; tuition 36 percent; and special CAARS fundraising accounts for 18 percent. Scholarships underwritten by individuals and contributions from Sisterhood, the Cemetery Fund and the Aytz Chaim endowment account for the remaining nine percent. Please be generous with your time and money in support of CAARS. Donate here
CAARS is a service provided to families of Congregation Agudas Achim to draw us together as a community. Families must be Members in Good Standing in almost all cases. All CAARS Registration is done online and through the school office.
Please contact the school office at 512-735-8420 for further information.
Pray | Learn | Mingle | Meet CAA | Contact Us | Donate | Member Login | Search
7300 Hart Lane, Austin, Texas 78731 (512)735-8400