Kindergarten
The first objective of the Kindergarten year is the introduction of Jewish functional skills such as the blessing over challah, wine and candles, and the recitation and meaning of the Shema. This will allow the children to make the transition from rituals in the home among family to synagogue and extended family. The second objective of this year is to begin the process of seeing the world through Jewish eyes and to study the holidays. Music and art reinforce both of the above objectives. Additionally, basic Hebrew vocabulary is introduced.
Texts:
I Can Celebrate Packets
Let’s Discover the Synagogue
Texts:
I Can Celebrate Packets
Let’s Discover the Synagogue
1st Grade
The objective of the first grade combined course on Jewish values, Torah and God is to encourage students to identify with the Jewish people and our way of life through the values and morals contained in the Torah stories. The objectives for Hebrew study include the introduction of the Hebrew Alef -Bet and the continued building of Hebrew vocabulary dealing with daily life; family home, school, and body parts.
Texts:
Let’s Discover the Alef-BetTeach Me Torah
Let’s Discover God
Texts:
Let’s Discover the Alef-BetTeach Me Torah
Let’s Discover God
2nd Grade
The combined study of God, ethics and community gives the children an opportunity to discuss realistic problems, charity (tzedakah), and personal moral conscience. Children are encouraged to express their feelings about the meaning of God and Judaism. By coming to their own decisions and by drawing on their own experiences stimulated by stories, the students fulfill the objective of gaining deeper knowledge of Jewish ethics and a strong feeling of identity with our people. The objective in Hebrew study is to add the vowels to the Hebrew consonants learned in first grade and begin the process of decoding the Hebrew language in order to develop reading skills. Students continue to learn through music and art in addition to text work, as they acquire more Hebrew vocabulary.
Texts:
Let’s Celebrate
Tiyulim-Journeys: A Jewish Primer
Texts:
Let’s Celebrate
Tiyulim-Journeys: A Jewish Primer
3rd Grade
The core of the third grade Judaic curriculum is the study of holidays and Israel. In the Israel unit, the students “travel” throughout the land visiting kibbutzim, Jerusalem, and the other major cities, revisiting the sites of the biblical stories, and seeing the land through the eyes of boys and girls who live there. The objective is for the students to begin to make a personal connection with the land and people of Israel. This is done through learning how it feels to live, play, make friends, and go to school in the Jewish homeland where the modern and the ancient live side by side. In the Hebrew portion of the curriculum, fluency in reading and building vocabulary are emphasized. Students are introduced to the Mitkadem curriculum that teaches students to read Hebrew and enjoy a sense of accomplishment as they progress through a series of well-organized, stimulating, and self-paced
Texts:
The Book of Jewish HolidaysPassport to Israel
Texts:
The Book of Jewish HolidaysPassport to Israel
4th Grade
The fourth grade Jewish study course provides a forum for intense discussions of and explorations into Jewish concepts of God and holiness. Midrash (stories which clarify obscurity in the Torah) and other commentaries ore discussed as they relate to the study of God and faith development. This course allows the students to engage in the challenge of determining for themselves belief in God and God’s presence in the world. Students also explore the Jewish life cycle and the customs and rituals associated with each life cycle event.Students continue to progress in the Mitkadem curriculum. The prayer goals are Brakhot, Mitzvah Brakhot, Barekhu, Yotzer C Shema, V’Ahavta, Mi Khamokha, Kiddush, and Ma Tovu.
Texts:
Journey of a LifetimePartners with God
Texts:
Journey of a LifetimePartners with God
5th Grade
In the fifth grade students begin their formal study of history. This new academic perspective coincides with their developmental ability to transition from biblical stories to the Torah as history. The objective is for the students to recognize that they are links in a long chain of tradition which has been transmitted from generation to generation. Their study travels from Abraham through the Israelite prophets, includes the lives of the ancient Israelites and continues through the destruction of the Second Temple and the Diaspora in 70 CE. The ethics course investigates the ethical concepts in Torah specifically with regard to the Ten Commandments. Almost every lesson raises moral questions which are primarily related to experiences in the lives of our students. Students continue to accelerate at their own pace in the Mitkadem curriculum. Students are expected to perform the basic prayers from the Amidah and Kabbalat Shabbat service; to develop a generalized meaning of the basic prayers; to explore the personal meaning in these prayers and to understand how the Hebrew language operates. The prayer goals are as follows: Adonai-S’fatai Tiftah, Avot, G’vurot, Kedushah, Sim Shalont, Shalom Ray, L.’kha Dodi, V’Shamru, Shalom Aleikhem, and Birkhot Shabbat.
Texts:
Think Prophets
The History of the Jewish People
Introduction to Jewish History
Texts:
Think Prophets
The History of the Jewish People
Introduction to Jewish History
6th Grade
In the sixth grade students continue their study of Jewish history from the Diaspora in 70 CE through the early 20th century and Theodore Herzl in Western Europe. They are introduced to great thinkers such as Rashi and Maimonides. They build on their knowledge of commentary by more in-depth study of Talmud and Mishnah. The objective is the reinforcement of their understanding of the development of Jewish traditions, and the students’ role in perpetuating the traditions.Hebrew study this year focuses on the continuing acquisition of vocabulary and the basics of Hebrew grammar. The study selections from the prayerbook offer the students interaction with the siddur. The students work on their Torah portions in addition to the prayers and blessings for the Saturday morning Torah service. The objective is to allow students to understand and internalize the interweaving of prayer, worship, Torah, the Hebrew language, and the importance of all of these elements to each member of the Jewish community.
Texts:
Challenge and Change Series 1-3
Texts:
Challenge and Change Series 1-3
7th Grade
The seventh grade program meets Tuesday evenings from 6:00- 9:00 pm. During the first hour students who are preparing for their bat/bar mitzvah will meet for Hebrew tutoring. Those students who have completed their bat/bar mitzvah and no longer require tutoring will meet for an hour of study hall. At 7:00 all students will enjoy a pizza dinner provided by the Linda and Rudy Slucker Religious School before beginning the Judaic studies portion of the program at 7:30.
The Judaic studies curriculum covers three specific topics for the year including Holocaust, Israel and the environment through a Jewish perspective. The students participate in informal educational lessons that combine art, music, drama, cooking and much more. We believe this approach to learning is very successful, particularly in the seventh grade, as it enables the students to grasp the material through hands-on-learning while building community through socialization and fun.
In addition to the curriculum, this year students will also participate in a workshop series featuring three speakers who will impart life skills in time for bat/bar mitzvah celebrations. The first speaker, a representative from Dale Carnegie Training, will provide tips for public speaking, improving communication skills, and reducing social anxiety. The next seminar, taught by an etiquette expert, will focus on how to be a courteous guest at formal events. She will discuss the art of writing a thank you note and she will demonstrate the proper way to make introductions. We’ll also learn everything we need to know about dining as we share a buffet dinner. For the final seminar, students should come in their dancing shoes. A local professional dancing instructor will teach us some popular dances to ensure we are confident and look great on the dance floor during all of the upcoming simchas.
The Judaic studies curriculum covers three specific topics for the year including Holocaust, Israel and the environment through a Jewish perspective. The students participate in informal educational lessons that combine art, music, drama, cooking and much more. We believe this approach to learning is very successful, particularly in the seventh grade, as it enables the students to grasp the material through hands-on-learning while building community through socialization and fun.
In addition to the curriculum, this year students will also participate in a workshop series featuring three speakers who will impart life skills in time for bat/bar mitzvah celebrations. The first speaker, a representative from Dale Carnegie Training, will provide tips for public speaking, improving communication skills, and reducing social anxiety. The next seminar, taught by an etiquette expert, will focus on how to be a courteous guest at formal events. She will discuss the art of writing a thank you note and she will demonstrate the proper way to make introductions. We’ll also learn everything we need to know about dining as we share a buffet dinner. For the final seminar, students should come in their dancing shoes. A local professional dancing instructor will teach us some popular dances to ensure we are confident and look great on the dance floor during all of the upcoming simchas.
8th Grade
The 8th grade also meets on Wednesday evenings. The curriculum explores what it means to be Jewish and how we make informed decisions on matters as Jews. Specifically students explore their connection to Israel, the importance of social action, their relationship to God and middot (Jewish values). Each lesson incorporates art and other hands-on projects.
Shaarey Ateed- Hebrew High
The Sharey Ateed High School classes are taught by the clergy and senior staff. Each grade level meets separately and focuses on a specific curriculum. The 9th grade curriculum addresses “Hot Topics” in the news through a Jewish perspective. Students also study Israel and the current political situation. Confirmation focuses on the Ten Commandments. In addition, the class writes their own creative Confirmation service based upon their insights and their emerging identities. The 11th grade studies “Body Ethics” and examines issues such as tattoos and piercings and what Jewish law says on such matters. In addition, 11th grade also explores Israel and our connection as American Jews. The 12th grade has the opportunity to explore a variety of Jewish subjects of their choosing. They too will write their own Graduation service. In addition to the substantive courses, every evening is infused with art, music and cooking to allow students to explore their Jewish roots through various creative means.