New programming and a creative approach to engage students in learning are on the horizon as Morgan Fasbinder takes the helm of Congregation Beth Torah’s Weiner Religious School.
Fasbinder, who was brought on part-time in January while she completes a contract to teach in a public school, will begin her full-time position as principal and administrator in June.
Beth Torah President Larry Myer said that he is thrilled by the changes and programming Fasbinder already has instituted.
“What she accomplished only working part-time while she was teaching full-time was nothing short of amazing,” he said. “We are so excited for her to join us full-time.”
Named the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s 2020 Grinspoon Educator of the Year while teaching Sunday school at Beth Torah, Fasbinder is a long-time member who also attended the religious school, served as a madricha, was a youth advisor, and served on the board of directors.
“I have a passion for keeping my CBT community and Judaism strong and thriving,” Fasbinder said. “My goal is to bring my spirit and energy to the Weiner Religious School drawing our learners closer to Judaism and the Congregation Beth Torah community. I am excited by the potential to create a safe, engaging, creative and fun learning environment that will meet each learner’s need and their family’s needs. I want to create an environment that starts them on a lifelong journey and leads them to pass on their love of Judaism to the next generation.”
As principal of the Weiner Religious School, some of Fasbinder’s responsibilities include Beth Torah’s Sunday school for ages preschool through fifth grade and the Wednesday evening TAG program for students in sixth through 10th grade.
Fasbinder is a bilingual educator who graduated with a 4.0 GPA in elementary education with an endorsement in special education. She is certified as a Spanish language medical interpreter. Now, she is bringing her language skills to focus on integrating more Hebrew into the Weiner Religious School curriculum.
Since taking on the part-time position in January, she has already introduced new activities and brought back some that had lapsed including a Purim carnival that featured dinner, games, costume contest, a DJ, photo booth, and a sensory room. For Passover, there was a chocolate seder. On Sunday mornings, the weekly bagels have been replaced with a rotating roster of breakfast foods. During Sunday morning family worship, all the students learn a Hebrew word of the day. Classrooms periodically participate in grade-level family Shabbat services and Onegs.
In addition to addressing what’s taught in the classrooms, Fasbinder says she looks forward to adding more family activities and events that build community. Some include celebrating more holidays as a Weiner Religious School community, field trips, volunteer opportunities, a Mitzvah Day, watch parties during Chiefs season with activities for kids, and more.
For the older youth, she plans to emphasize learning that reinforces a stronger connection to the community, Jewish values, tikkun olam (repairing the world) and mitzvot.
She also plans to offer youth group-style activities such as the recent lunch and swimming at a community pool.
In June and July, Fasbinder anticipates hosting parent events, offering them a chance to provide feedback and brainstorm how Weiner Religious School can best meet their children’s needs.
This summer, she also looks forward to offering a variety of activities such as an adult night out. Parents will be able to drop off their children at Beth Torah for babysitting and activities while the adults enjoy an evening out.
“There also will be events designed both for CBT members and those who would like to check us out,” she said, “including a hot summer day event featuring food, fun, games and an opportunity for potential members to experience the special Congregation Beth Torah spirit.”
More information about the Weiner Religious School and Beth Torah is available by calling (913) 498-2212 or visiting beth-torah.org.