JEWISH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CURRICULUM APPROACh
Ethical awareness
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?
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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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- 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
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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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- 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?
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- 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
- 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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- 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
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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- 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
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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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- 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
- 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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- Jewish beliefs about God
- Global Jewry
- Israel
- 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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