As students progress to second and third grades, our curriculum focuses on seven core values or units, with each unit consisting of four lessons. These 28 lessons delve into Jewish text, history, tefilah, and holidays and incorporate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. By integrating SEL, we empower students to develop positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and build strong character.  

 

To provide a more comprehensive understanding of Jewish values and their relevance in daily life, our curriculum embraces a pluralistic approach. This approach encourages students to appreciate diverse perspectives and promotes inclusivity within the Jewish community.

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Tefilah (Prayer): Tefilah is an integral part of the Religious School curriculum. Students begin to learn the prayers through music. Among our goals is for students to know Reform liturgy, feel comfortable praying in a variety of Jewish settings, and understand the meaning of traditional prayers. This is also an opportunity for them to connect with each other and with their own sense of spirituality through communal singing and worship. 
 

Ivrit (Hebrew): In grades K-3, our younger students engage in Hebrew Through Movement, a program focused on experiential learning. With the guidance of a trained facilitator, students learn Hebrew by listening to and following commands. For instance, when they hear "la-rutz el ha-delet," they eagerly run towards the door. By introducing this interactive method of language acquisition at an early stage, students become well-acquainted with Hebrew letters, grammar, and structure, which greatly aids their prayer studies later on.

Starting in second grade, students receive weekly 30 minute one-on-one Hebrew tutoring sessions, which take place virtually, removing the stress of the classroom. These sessions are designed to teach students how to decode Hebrew and read with fluency and accuracy. Once students have a grasp on decoding, the curriculum moves into prayer. The program is designed to set our students up for success and can be used in conjunction with b’nei mitzvah tutoring. 

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Tutors will be able to progress at the appropriate pace for each individual student. Families can select the time throughout the week that best suits their schedule, and many of our tutors can support students with special learning needs. Please be sure to share with the Department of Lifelong Learning if your student requires any accommodations.

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Havdalah (Distinction): Havdalah is the brief and beautiful ceremony that helps us move from Shabbat into the beginning of the week. We will be using this ceremony at the beginning of each Religious School session to help students transition from the workday world into a sacred time and space of Jewish religion, history and culture. We welcome parents to participate in havdalah with us, not only to take part in this centering, community ceremony, but also to grow comfortable with this ritual which families can incorporate into their home Jewish practice.

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Tzedakah: The mitzvah of righteous giving is an integral part of our Religious School program. Our goal is for students to see themselves both as advocates for organizations whose work they value and as young philanthropists. Tzedakah is collected weekly during school. Recipient organizations are chosen by our faculty. For more information about our tzedakah programs, read “The Case for Tzedakah in Jewish Education.”

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Family Engagement: Our parents and caregivers play a vital role in our school community, modeling the values we want to instill in our children and the lives we want them to lead. We know many parents in our community want to participate in the Jewish education of their children but also have busy schedules that can make it difficult to free up time during the workday. That’s why we are creating many accessible moments that will enable parents to take part in their children’s Jewish learning. 

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Emanu-El Makers: Tinker, create, and play while learning all about Jewish holidays and culture. Emanu-El Maker’s is an opportunity for Religious School Lab students to collaborate on projects and a space for kids not enrolled in the Religious School to get a feel for the community. All are welcome!
 

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