Cirriculum

In first grade, children expand their sense of Jewish identity by learning about Shabbat, Jewish holidays and learning Bible stories from the Creation to King David’s. They learn to appreciate God's creations and how to communicate through prayers, while also discovering ways to perform Mitzvot within their families and communities. Mitzvah projects emphasize topics like helping at home, visiting the sick, sharing, and practicing tzedakah. We introduce Hebrew letter recognition and progressively advance our decoding skills while using tools like 3D mediums or Alef Bet Yoga to accommodate all learning styles. Singing, games and craft are a significant part of the way lessons are taught in 1st grade.

In second grade, students take a deeper dive into the customs and history surrounding Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Our curriculum is anchored in the three core pillars of Jewish learning: Torah, Avodah (prayer), and G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving-kindness). In Torah study, we focus on the time from the Creation to the Exodus. Each lesson zooms in on a specific portion (parashah), helping students draw meaningful connections between the Torah and their everyday lives. Through Avodah, students explore the meaning of prayer and its connection to God, community, and self. They will learn key prayers, including the Shabbat blessings, the Sh’ma, Modeh Ani, and Brachot for food, developing a deeper understanding of their spiritual significance. The concept of G’milut Chasadim guides students in performing mitzvot through personal acts of kindness. They will learn how to incorporate these values into their daily lives, fostering a sense of responsibility toward others. Interactive learning is at the heart of our approach, with lessons brought to life through collaboration, storytelling, discussions, and creative art projects. In Hebrew, we use the "Shalom Uvrachah" curriculum to help students master the Hebrew alphabet and key heritage words, building a strong foundation for language learning. Art, music, and games play a vital role in enriching the weekly lessons, reinforcing what students learn in a fun and engaging way. Additionally, our second graders are introduced to Modern Israel, exploring its culture, geography, and people. Students will learn about the historical significance of Israel and the importance of every Jew’s connection to the land, all while fostering a sense of pride in their Jewish identity.

In 3rd grade, our Torah curriculum centers on history from the Israelites in Mt Sinai to King Salomon. The Avodah (worship) strand explores how we can make the world a more sacred place. Students will learn how to connect with God as someone ‘special,’ engage in prayers like Shehecheyanu or Mi Chamocha, and bring these insights home to share and discuss with their parents. The G’milut Chasadim (Acts of Lovingkindness) strand emphasizes the development and implementation of mitzvah projects. Students will explore our responsibilities to others, including Jews around the world (K’lal Yisrael). They will examine the balance between caring for others and looking out for themselves, using Jewish texts to understand how kindness has a multiplier effect. We aim to incorporate G’milut Chasadim into our daily lives by establishing a “roadmap” for acts of loving kindness and connecting these actions to Jewish holiday observance. Our third-grade curriculum also introduces Jewish life-cycle events. Students will learn about their ceremonies, meanings, and customs.

Our curriculum is divided into three key sections: Torah, Avodah (prayer), and G’milut Chasadim (acts of loving-kindness). In the Torah section, students learn how to locate and read specific texts by book, chapter, and verse, making the Torah accessible to them. Our lessons will cover the Early and Later Prophets (Nevi’im). We will analyze the Prophets from the histories of Joshua, Deborah, Samuel, and Elijah through glowing words of Jeremiah, Hosea and Isaiah. We will explore who they were, how they came to be chosen and by whom, and the different qualities needed to perform their duties. Students will engage in hands-on activities, including discussions, art projects, and reflective notebook entries to track their progress and insights. The Avodah section addresses key questions about prayer, helping students understand the importance of connecting with God, themselves, and the Jewish community. They will discover that these elements work together to create meaningful and effective prayer. In the G’milut Chasadim section, students will relate lessons to their own friends and family, emphasizing the theme of community. They will learn how we can promote shalom bayit (peace in the home), with a focus on honoring one’s parents. Discussions will include the Jewish responsibility to reach out to neighbors, the value of befriending the lonely, and showing compassion to the elderly. Students will apply these values to real-life situations, addressing issues such as bullying and understanding how lashon hara (malicious speech) can harm relationships.

Our 5th grade program is still divided into three major strands: Torah (study); Avodah (worship); and G’milut Chasadim (deeds of loving kindness). In the Torah section of the curriculum, students cover the early history from the Israelites in the Land of Israel up until the times of the Jewish communities of Ashkenaz and Sepharad; from post Biblical to early medieval period. The Avodah strand at this level focuses on the major prayers used in the Synagogue on Shabbat and other holidays. Most of our students are in the second or third year of mid-week Hebrew school where, in addition to Hebrew, they learn the order of the Service. The knowledge of prayer will be expanded upon, and its relevance to and in their lives, giving the students the opportunity to explore different interpretations of various commentaries and Midrashim. The G’milut Chasadim strand teaches our young people the importance of performing acts of loving kindness, many of which contain concepts they have considered and performed at lower grade levels. Student activities will embrace: the importance of community in Jewish life; showing honor to the deceased; welcoming strangers and new members to the community, including Jews by Choice; concepts of justice and speaking out for just causes; and righteous giving without embarrassing a recipient. Fifth graders will also study the ancient history of the Jewish people, emphasizing the spiritual connection between our history and heritage. The curriculum will cover the unique aspects of Judaism as the foundation of monotheism, moving through the Hellenistic era, the persecution under the Romans, and the Babylonian Diaspora. This historical journey will seamlessly transition into the fifth-grade curriculum. Additionally, students will learn this year about Modern Israel and immerse themselves in all aspects of Israel today, meet the diverse people who live there, debate Israel's responses to its challenges, and begin to develop a personal relationship with the Jewish homeland.

In the Torah section of the curriculum, students cover the early history of the Jewish people, starting from the jews in Medieval Europe until the Jewish experience in America during the 1880s; essentially detailing the Jewish history from the Diaspora to the lens of American Jewish life in the late 19th century. The Avodah section of the curriculum focuses on the Torah service. Students experience Torah reading by learning about the ancient practice of reading Torah in the marketplace and through their attendance at synagogue services. Students also learn about the different parts of the Torah service, including the distinct terms and vocabulary (aliyah, bimah, etc.), service elements, and choreography and etiquette. The third and final section, G’milut Chasadim, teaches the students about performing “acts of loving-kindness,” as both a way of fulfilling our covenant with God, and as a way of feeling connected to God. Students look at various world issues (protecting the rainforests, recycling and conserving energy, protection of animals, world health issues, peace, world hunger, civil rights,…), their connection to Jewish texts, and what can be done to help alleviate the problem. Students engage in research and activism to do their part in making a difference in the world.

In this class, we will explore Jewish values and texts that encourage these emerging Jewish adults to make responsible decisions. The curriculum explores, in a more mature approach, the three strands which as the keys to the world: Torah, Avodah (worship emphasizing a more mature look at several holiday and service themes), and G’milut chasadim (showing how Jewish values can help teens and adults deal with issues which may directly impact their lives). The 7th-grade curriculum explores the origins of Zionism, tracing the movement’s development from its founding through the creation of the State of Israel. Students study key historical events, influential figures, and the challenges faced by Israel through modern times. The course fosters an understanding of Israel’s significance to Jewish identity today and its impact on life in the diaspora. This year's curriculum also introduces students to the study, analysis, and discussion of Torah passages, encouraging them to engage with the text critically. Through these discussions, students explore ethical dilemmas and moral lessons derived from the Torah, deepening their understanding of Jewish values. This process fosters thoughtful reflection and meaningful dialogue.

This dynamic curriculum includes a wide range of fascinating subjects, such as Jewish modern history, law, philosophy, ethics, comparative religion, Jewish community life, current events, and even the intersection of Judaism and ecology. Students dedicate a semester to an in-depth study of the Holocaust, immersing themselves in this critical period of history. Through interactive lessons, discussions, and reflective activities, students gain a profound understanding of the events that shaped this dark chapter and the enduring lessons it holds for humanity. The classroom learning culminates in an impactful weekend-long trip to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. This journey not only deepens their knowledge but also fosters empathy as they reflect on their experiences in a supportive environment. Students in this program meet every other week, allowing them to join the madrich program when not in class themselves.