JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CURRICULUM APPROACh
Ethical awareness
Love of Judaism
Social connections
Extension of classroom experiences
Goals—Moments of religious family celebration
3. Tefilah and Hebrew
Goals— Proficient, participatory Jews
Maximize tefilah skills through Hebrew. Primary focus is on Hebrew they will need to actively participate in our congregation – through siddur, humash, the rituals and songs with which we celebrate and mark moments in our community
Skills and opportunities they need to participate in congregational life.
4. Grade-specific curriculum & experiences
Goals— Building blocks
Experiences that are special for each grade to look forward to
When learning about holiday, new themes/angles each year
Hebrew by grade
gan, kindergarten
Core Questions
What does it mean to be a part of a synagogue community? Why is being Jewish special?
UpUpdate this content.
Core subjects
Introduction to:
Synagogue life, Holidays, Torah, Prayer, Shabbat, Jewish Home
Family Programs
Mezuzah creation
Shabbat Celebration
Update this content.
ALEPH, 1ST GRADE
Core Questions
What does it mean to have a “shem tov” a good name?
Learning the Hebrew letters and our Hebrew name. How do we celebrate Shabbat and why? Why do we pray?
Update this content.
Core subjects
Hebrew letter recognition and letter sounds
Hebrew names
Secondary introduction to
Synagogue, Holidays, Torah
Introduction to brachot—blessings and tefillah--prayer
Family Programs
Epic Passover Adventure
Update this content.
bet, 2nd grade
Core Questions
How do we make Shabbat special? Why is Shabbat so important?
How does the Jewish calendar year work?
Update this content.
Jewish calendar—Hebrew Calendar
Shabbat at home—”Home” Siddur
Hebrew— Shalom Uvracha
Letter blending, vowels, writing cursive,
Simple word development, reading and recognition
Intro to the siddur and the Shaharit morning service—Siddur Lev Kehillah
Time Travel
Update this content.
gimmel, 3rd grade
Core Questions
How do we celebrate the holidays of our tradition? What do the Tishre holidays do and what is their focus? What are mitzvot and how do they relate to me?
Update this content.
The Holidays in the Month of Tishre: Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simhat Torah—Tishre Challenge
Food Blessings challenge
Secondary foundation of Hebrew reading and writing—Shalom Uvrakha
Letter blending, vowels, writing cursive,
Prayer—Siddur Lev Sholom
Family Siddur Cover Program
dalet, 4th grade
Core Questions
How do the stories in the Torah inform my daily life and choices? What meaning do I find in stories from 2,000 years ago? What does Avraham teach us about faith?
Update this content.
Explore Judaism as a religion of questioning
Shaharit Morning Service—Siddur Lev Sholom
Hebrew — Hineni Hebrew Series, building proficiency in reading and writing
Havdallah
Monthly – Questions with the rabbi
Family Programs:
Havdallah Workshop
Update this content.
hay, 5th grade
Core Questions
What does it mean to be a part of the Jewish people in creating a relationship with God?
How does one become a leader?
Update this content.
Exodus, Passover and Haggadah
Purim and Megillat Esther
Prayer—Shabbat Shaharit—Morning Service Siddur Lev Sholom
Maariv Evening Service—Siddur Maariv Aravim
Hebrew — Hineni Hebrew Series, building proficiency in reading and writing
Sh'mot Family Program, March 22
vav, 6th grade
Core Questions
How do ancient rituals speak to me and how do I want to incorporate them into my own life? What moments in history inform our practice, thoughts and identity today?
Update this content.
Shabbat Shaharit—Morning Service, Siddur Lev Shalem
Tallit and Tefillin
Torah Service & Torah Trope
Vayikra—Leviticus and Bamidbar—Numbers
Hebrew — Hineni Hebrew Series, building proficiency in reading and writing
Raising the Bar (and Bat) Mitzvah Program
Tallit and Tefillin
Passing the Torah
Update this content.
b'nei mitzvah, 7th grade
Core Questions
What does it mean to become a bar or bat mitzvah? How do I show up in the world as a Jew?
Update this content.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah Skills Preparation
Understanding the meaning of becoming a bar/bat mitzvah and Jewish ethics with the Rabbis
Tzedakah in Action, Mitzvot
Family Programs
B'nei Mitzvah Launch
Saturday learning with the Rabbis (September – January)
Update this content.
8th grade
Core Questions
What is my opinion on the many other topics in Judaism and Jewish culture beyond the skills and rituals?
Update this content.
Jewish beliefs about God
What is Judaism?
What is Conservative Judaism and how is it different than other denominations?
Global Jewry
Special Programs
Trip to Los Angeles, subject to change based on schedule and safety protocols
9th grade
Core Questions:
How can I navigate an ever-changing world through the lens of the Jewish thought?
Core Questions
What is my opinion on the many other topics in Judaism and Jewish culture beyond the skills and rituals?Core Questions
What is my opinion on the many other topics in Judaism and Jewish culture beyond the skills and rituals?Core Questions
What is my opinion on the many other topics in Judaism and Jewish culture beyond the skills and rituals?
Update this content.
Thursday night teens
Core Questions
What are the questions that you as Jewish teens want to explore? How can you play a role in leading our community?
Update this content.
Core subjects
Community dinner
Planning events
Leadership education
Young adult education
Special Programs
Trips each year to be developed
Update this content.