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VTS Curriculum

JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CURRICULUM APPROACh

Congregational Learning = Learning through Experiences
 
Key focus areas: 
Religious character
Ethical awareness
Love of Judaism
 
How are we going to elevate the learning and experiences for our community?
 
1. Holistic Calendar
Goals—Moments of religious family celebration
Social connections
Extension of classroom experiences
 
2. Family Programs & Shabbat Swap
Goals—Moments of religious family celebration
Social connections
Extension of classroom experiences
 

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?

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Core subjects

  • Introduction to: Synagogue life, Holidays, Torah, Prayer, Shabbat, Jewish Home

Family Programs

  • Mezuzah creation 
  • Shabbat Celebration

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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?

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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

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bet, 2nd grade

Core Questions

  • How do we make Shabbat special?
  • Why is Shabbat so important?
  • How does the Jewish calendar year work?

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Core subjects
 
  • 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
     
Family Programs
 
  • Time Travel

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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?

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Core subjects:
 
  • 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 Programs:
 
  • 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?

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Core subjects:
 
  • Introduction to Torah study—Lekh Lekha and Abraham
  • 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

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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?

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Core subjects
 
  • 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
 
Family Programs
 
  • Sh'mot Family Program

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?

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Core subjects
 
  • 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
Family Programs
 
  • Raising the Bar (and Bat) Mitzvah Program
  • Tallit and Tefillin
  • Passing the Torah

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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?

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Core subjects
 
  • 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
  • Passing the Torah
  • Saturday learning with the Rabbis 

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8th grade

Core Questions

  • What is my opinion on the many other topics in Judaism and Jewish culture beyond the skills and rituals?
  • What is Judaism?
  • What is Conservative Judaism and how is it different than other denominations?

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Core subjects
 
  • Jewish beliefs about God
  • Global Jewry
  • Israel
Special Programs
 
  • Trips each year to be developed

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?

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Core subjects

  • Community dinner
  • Planning events
  • Leadership education
  • Young adult education

 
Special Programs

  • Trips each year to be developed

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Sun, September 24 2023 9 Tishrei 5784