- Build connections with our school and congregational family.
- Experience the joy of the Jewish holidays.
- Explore the building blocks of Jewish life with an introduction to mitzvot, Torah, Israel, our Synagogue, Jewish symbols, and the life cycle.
- Explore Israel through a scavenger hunt learning about special objects and places, cities and people.
- Learn Hebrew words and phrases closely associated with Israel.
- Learn the story of each holiday and understand the basic vocabulary, rituals, symbols, traditions, and legends associated with each holiday.
- Build a knowledge and understanding of core Jewish values related to G’milut Chasadim—acts of loving kindness.
- Develop an early understanding of the connection between our behavior and our Jewish values.
- Plan mini-mitzvah projects that demonstrate their understanding of one or more of the Jewish values they learn.
- Learn about Jewish history and how it shapes us today.
- Become familiar with some prominent Jews in American life, as well as the connection between Jewish values and their achievements.
- Develop a recognition of the parallels between the experiences of American Jews and other immigrant groups.
- Explore Jewish values and how they shape our lives.
- Study Jewish texts for how they inform our ethical decisions.
- Explore challenging moral dilemmas and ethical choices and how our Jewish values and texts assist our navigation through difficult waters.
Our Hebrew Students…
- Are introduced to Hebrew words and phrases from the earliest grades through stories, play, and movement.
- Gain an ear for Hebrew, and as they demonstrate a readiness to learn more, they begin more formal instruction.
- Are generally ready for this transition around 2nd or 3rd grade, but very occasionally are ready as early as 1st grade and sometimes not until 4th grade.
- During the initial year of formal study, focus on learning the Alef-Bet and vowel sounds and begin decoding words and short phrases.
- Progress through our Hebrew program at a rate that is comfortable according to their skills and understanding.
- Focus on developing prayer fluency as their skills develop, as well as building an understanding of the themes and meaning of prayers and understanding why we pray.
- Prepare to become B’nei Mitzvah and assume the role of Jewish adults in our congregation or wherever life might take them.