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October 10, 2003/Tishri 14 5764, Vol. 56, No.3
Har Zion school has 'Framework for Excellence'
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Har Zion Congregation has been recognized by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism as a "Framework for Excellence School."
The Scottsdale synagogue's religious school, serving children in kindergarten through eighth grade, achieved the certification by meeting standards in professional and curriculum development, and family education.
"It was a very long process," said Fran Richter, education director. "It took a full year to ... complete the application, compiling all of our data."
In addition to the high standards the school sets, Richter said the education program at Har Zion is "authentic and meaningful."
"Our program allows everybody who steps into our program to see it as something that's relevant to their everyday life. We don't just teach theory," she explained.
Students, along with their families, are expected to attend Shabbat services at least 10 times per year.
"Our kids know their tefilot (prayers) skills so well that they can go into any synagogue and demonstrate the skills that they have learned," said Richter.
She said that last year's eighth-grade religious school class went on to have 100 percent participation in the Bureau of Jewish Education's Phoenix High School of Jewish Studies (Hebrew High).
"Jewish education at Har Zion does not end with bar or bat mitzvah," she emphasized.
The school, with 161 students, is the first in Scottsdale and the third in Arizona to be designated as a "Framework for Excellence School," according to Richter.
The congregation has been affiliated with the Conservative movement since 1960, and is located at 6140 E. Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale. Call 480-991-0720.
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