2024-25 ALMA Registration

Join ALMA!

ALMA (“world” in Aramaic and "soul" in Ladino) is inspired Jewish education for youth and families.

At ALMA, we believe that Judaism matters, and that Jewish life and tradition has the potential to add profound meaning and richness to the lives of our students and families. 

We believe that our students must genuinely enjoy themselves in  order to learn and develop a love of Jewish life and tradition. Our passionate staff work  hard to create a culture that is joyful, in which our students and their families feel respected, engaged, and inspired.

Our dynamic curriculum for students from pre-school through 7th grade  engages students in an active exploration of  Jewish life and tradition through learning about  Jewish values, Jewish time,  and Jewish customs. Our students learn songs and prayers, create ritual objects, and get their hands dirty on our  chava (Abundance Farm). Our  Ivrit (Hebrew) specialist works with ALMA students to develop fluent decoding and our  Tefillah (prayer) specialist helps students  build  comfort with traditional and contemporary Jewish prayers and songs. 

“The world is sustained solely through the breath of the children when they are learning in school alongside their teachers. Talmud, Shabbat 119b”

2024-2025

The 2024-2025 ALMA year begins on September 12 and concludes on May 29. View our full calendar here.

Our pre-K and K/1 classes meet on Shabbat (Saturday) mornings from 10:00-12:00 and our 2nd-7th graders meet both on Shabbat mornings from 10:00-12:00 and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30.

We will be offering a supplemental afterschool time from 2:15-3:30 on Thursdays  prior to ALMA, which will include games, art, and other activities. 

For families  with teens in grades 8th - 12th, check out  CHALLAH, which focuses on deep Jewish learning and fostering Jewish joy. Each session includes dinner, class, and social time led by teen engagement coordinator Aaron Kagan and Rabbi Ariella Rosen. Previous CHALLAH classes have included cooking, music, theater, and fire making. See here for more info.

Tuition

Tuition makes it possible for our program to sustain quality educators and specialists, and to provide materials for students. ALMA tuition covers approximately ½ of the cost of the program. CBI believes in the value of ALMA and Jewish education and financially supports this program, in order to bring lower rates to families. We strongly believe that finances should never be an obstacle to Jewish education. CBI Members may request financial assistance.

Last year’s tuition rate is available for tuition paid in full before June 16. After June 16, the 2024-2025 rates are:

Shorashim ("roots") (Ages 3-5, Pre-K) and Nitzanim ("flower buds") (K/1): $1,040 per year
Amirim ("bundles of grain") (2nd), Ilanot ("trees") (3rd/4th), Arazim ("cedars") (5th), Rimonim ("pomegranates") (6th/7th): $1,800 per year
Thursday Supplemental Care, 2:15-3:30: $285 per year

ALMA tuition fees can be paid one time annually or can be paid in weekly or monthly installments. Full payment is due by March 31, 2025.

* Is your family new to ALMA this year?

Please Select OneYes - Welcome to ALMA!No - Welcome Back!

Section A: Membership

In a world where so many people feel isolated and long for deep connection, CBI offers a unique, inclusive, multi-generational community with a wide range of services, programs, and opportunities for connection. CBI members make a powerful commitment to our Jewish community and help to ensure that it thrives for generations to come.

While CBI family membership is not required for participation in ALMA, we strongly encourage it! In ALMA, we try to build a meaningful and authentic community by encouraging the development of strong bridges between our ALMA families and the broader community at CBI and Abundance Farm.

CBI is a not-for-profit institution and 83% of our budget supports personnel salaries and benefits. Approximately 30% of the budget comes from membership dues from our 515 member households.

CBI is moving toward a fair-share dues model in order to ensure that finances are never a barrier to membership. If you are interested in learning more about CBI membership, we would love to talk with you!  You can also join CBI by filling out the online membership form.

Are you interested in CBI Membership?

I am a current CBI member.I am interested in CBI membership, please have Amy contact me.I am not interested in CBI membership right now.

Registration for Those Seeking Financial Assistance.

Financial aid is available to all member families. We strongly believe that finances should never be an obstacle to Jewish education. We ask that every family commits to some financial contribution, however we are very happy to discuss financial aid options for any CBI member family that may require tuition assistance.

If requesting financial assistance, please schedule a half hour meeting confidential meeting with Rabbi Ariella Rosen to discuss your payment ability at this link.

When the form takes you to billing, select the option "bill to account"; that will allow you to complete the form without paying.

* Are you requesting Financial Aid? If you select yes, please also schedule a meeting with Rabbi Ariella Rosen to discuss your payment ability at the link above.

Please Select OneNoYes - I scheduled a meeting with Rabbi Ariella to discuss my payment ability at the link above.

Section B: Family or Caregiver Contact Information

* Would you like your family to be part of the ALMA Families 2024-25 Directory? Other families would receive your family's primary contact's name and email.

Please Select OneYes, I would like to be part of the DirectoryNo, I would not like to be part of the Directory

* Would you like to opt in to occasional text messages from CBI to the phone number(s) provided with important information about CBI/ALMA and your child/children, such as snow closings or other time-sensitive announcements? Consent is required and you can opt out at any time. Messaging and data rates may apply.

Please Select OneYes, I would like to opt in.No, I do not want to opt in.

* First Name (Primary)

* Last Name (Primary)

* Email (Primary)

* Phone (Primary)

* Relationship to Student(s) (Primary)

* Street Address (Primary)

Street Address Line 2 (Primary)

* City (Primary)

* State (Primary)

* ZIP (Primary)

* Is there a secondary contact?

Please Select OneNoYes, at the same address as the primary contactYes, but at a different address than the primary contactIf there is a secondary contact, all emails and mailings will go to both contacts. In case of urgent need, the primary contact will be notified first

* First Name (Secondary)

* Last Name (Secondary)

* Email (Secondary)

* Phone (Secondary)

* Relationship to Student(s) (Secondary)

* Street Address (Secondary)

Street Address Line 2 (Secondary)

* City (Secondary)

* State (Secondary)

* ZIP (Secondary)

Please make your emergency contact different from your primary / secondary contact. In case of emergency we will call your primary contact first, then your secondary contact, then your emergency contact.

* Emergency Contact Name

* Emergency Contact Best Phone

* Emergency Contact Relationship

* Please list the names of all adults who are authorized to pick up your child from ALMA:

Section C: Student Enrollment Information

Student 1 Information

* Student 1 First Name

* Student 1 Preferred Name

* Student 1 Last Name

Student 1 Hebrew Name (if applicable)

What pronouns does your child use?

* Student 1's Grade as of Fall 2024

* Student 1 Birthdate

Would you like to enroll your child in our Thursday afterschool program?

* Student 1 Allergies or Medications

Please Select OneNoYesDoes your child have allergies or medications we need to know about?

Student 1 Allergy/Medication Details

Please describe allergies and medications with dosage and timing.

* Student 1 Learning Needs: What supports your child to learn better in a classroom?

* Student 1: Does your child have a formal IEP or 504 plan?

Please Select OnePlease select oneYesNo

If applicable, upload your student's IEP/504 plan file here

If you have access to your student's IEP, please upload here for their teacher to review

Student 2 Information

* Student 2 First Name

* Student 2 Preferred Name

* Student 2 Last Name

Student 2 Hebrew Name (if applicable)

What pronouns does your child use?

* Student 2's Grade as of Fall 2024

* Student 2 Birthdate

Would you like to enroll your child in our Thursday afterschool program?

* Student 2 Allergies or Medications

Please Select OneNoYesDoes your child have allergies or medications we need to know about?

Student 2 Allergy/Medication Details

Please describe allergies and medications with dosage and timing.

* Student 2 Learning Needs: What supports your child to learn better in a classroom?

Does your student have a formal IEP or 504 plan?

Please select oneYesNo

Student 2: If applicable and accessible, upload your student's IEP/504 plan file here

Student 3 Information

* Student 3 First Name

* Student 3 Preferred Name

* Student 3 Last Name

Student 3 Hebrew Name (if applicable)

What pronouns does your child use?

* Student 3's Grade as of Fall 2024

* Student 3 Birthdate

Would you like to enroll your child in our Thursday afterschool program?

* Student 3 Allergies or Medications

Please Select OneNoYesDoes your child have allergies or medications we need to know about?

Student 3 Allergy/Medication Details

Please describe allergies and medications with dosage and timing.

* Student 3 Learning Needs: What supports your child to learn better in a classroom?

Student3: Does your child have a formal IEP or 504 plan?

Please select oneYesNo

If applicable and accessible, upload your student's IEP/504 plan file here

If accessible to you, please upload your student's IEP for their teacher to review

Student 4 Information

* Student 4 First Name

* Student 4 Preferred Name

* Student 4 Last Name

Student 4 Hebrew Name (if applicable)

What pronouns does your child use?

* Student 4's grade as of Fall 2024

* Student 4 Birthdate

Would you like to enroll your child in our Thursday afterschool program?

* Student 4 Allergies or Medications

Please Select OneNoYesDoes your child have allergies or medications we need to know about?

Student 4 Allergy/Medication Details

Please describe allergies and medications with dosage and timing.

* Student 4 Learning Needs: What supports your child to learn better in a classroom?

Student 4: Does your student have a formal IEP or 504 plan?

Please select oneYesNo

If applicable and accessible, upload your student's IEP/504 plan file here

If you have access to your student's IEP, please upload here for their teacher to review.

Section D: Release Forms

* ALMA WAIVER OF LIABILITY (24/25) With full awareness and appreciation of the risks involved, I, for myself and on behalf of my family, spouse, estate, heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and personal representatives, hereby forever release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless Congregation B’nai Israel, its board members, officers, agents, servants, independent contractors, affiliates, employees, successors, and assigns (collectively the "Released Parties") from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, directly or indirectly arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me or any member of my family related to COVID-19 or any other infectious diseases, whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise, while attending ALMA, participating in any activities on Congregation B’nai Israel premises or using any of its facilities or equipment. By signing below I acknowledge and represent that I have read the foregoing Waiver of Liability, understand it and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed. I am sufficiently informed about the risks involved in attending ALMA and making use of its facilities and equipment to decide whether to sign this document. No oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement, have been made to me. I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent. I execute this document for full, adequate, and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by the same. I agree that this Waiver of Liability shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that if any of the provisions hereof are found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall be enforced as fully as possible and the unenforceable provision(s) shall be deemed modified to the limited extent required to permit its enforcement as a whole.

By typing my name, I have read and understand the above statement.

* Memorandum of Understanding: ALMA Staff will review appropriate behaviors and expectations with students. Bullying, including cyberbullying, during a session or outside of a session will not be tolerated. Issues and consequences will be addressed with the student and a parent.

By typing my name, I have read and understand the above statement.

* Media Release: From time to time your child's photo may be taken in our classrooms or at special events. We use these photos in our newsletters, on our website, in our Facebook posts and other publicity materials.

Please Select OneI grant permission for my child(ren)'s image to be used in all mediaI do not grant permission for my child(ren)’s image to be usedI grant permission for my child(ren)'s image to be used in the weekly ALMA newsletter only. This newsletter is sent to ALMA families and staff.

If there is any child(ren) in your family you do not want released to media, please write their name(s) here.

Section E: Additional Information

Is there anything else you want us to know about you, your family, or your students as we enter into the school year?

Section F: Payment Information

Your ALMA Tuition Total is below. If you requested financial aid, this total will be adjusted after you speak to Rabbi Ariella Rosen. Please schedule a confidential meeting with Rabbi Ariella at this link.

If you wish to pay with check or are requesting financial aid, please select "bill to account" on the next page. That will allow you to complete the form without payment.

If paying before June 16, use the code "earlybird" on the following page to secure last year's ALMA tuition rates.

Total Amount

Thu, November 21 2024 20 Cheshvan 5785

Congregation b'nai israel 253 prospect street, northampton, ma 01060 (413) 584-3593

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