RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Jewish Studies, Ethics & World Beliefs
Tampa Bay International School fosters an understanding of and respect for religions that people choose to practice around the world. As our students develop an appreciation of cultures and religions that differ from their own, they embark on a journey to become well-rounded global citizens.
TBIS is committed to providing each student with an understanding and appreciation of all religions while respecting religious and cultural diversity. Beginning in Kindergarten, students may elect to take Jewish Studies or Ethics & World Beliefs.
- Jewish Studies provides an in-depth study of Judaism, focusing on Jewish values, the diversity of the Jewish community around the world and an introduction to Hebrew.
- Ethics & World Beliefs investigates how different cultures around the world address ethical and philosophical questions, and explores the world’s major religions by studying their belief systems, traditions, and holidays.
Tampa Bay International School offers Jewish education that showcases inclusivity in action. Enrolled at TBIS are students of many faiths, ethnicities and nationalities, students with diverse abilities, and families from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The student body is half Jewish and many of those children’s families are unaffiliated with a synagogue.
Those who worry that we may be taking an unconventional path for a Jewish school might be surprised to learn that day schools in numerous communities with smaller Jewish populations — like Pinellas County — are making the move to pluralistic student bodies. Our hope is that Tampa Bay International School can serve as a gateway to Jewish connections and be a touchpoint for more Jewish families to have more Jewish educational and spiritual experiences.
“I wanted a place where we could actively promote the Jewish values that are the core values of our school — tikkun olam, tzedakah, shmirat ha adamah and shalom. Repairing the world, justice, caring for the earth and peace are central to our work. I believe in our school. My wife and I send our two children here, so part of the reason I started this school is for them. I feel really blessed to be in the position we are in. We are attracting families who also believe in what we are doing.”
— Bennett Zamoff, Head of School
Our program of Jewish Education is made possible by the generous support of the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast