Curriculum
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Third – Sixth Grade
B’nai Mitzvah
Seventh Grade
High School Program (Leadership and Learning Institute): 8th - 12th
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Sunday Mornings
• Experiencing Jewish life
• Discovering Shabbat and holiday traditions through hands-on projects
• Exploring Torah stories and characters through the arts
• Introducing Hebrew letters and basic words
The Kindergarteners discover the meaning and purpose of Jewish ritual objects, culminating their learning with a family ritual object making workshop. The First Grade explores the people, objects, and activities that make up our Temple Emanuel synagogue community. The Second Grade learns about the wider Jewish community. Additionally, students visit with our specialists, engaging in art projects, using our library resources, and enjoying Jewish music. A highlight for these grades is the weekly t'fillah (prayer service) engaging story with a member of our clergy that ends each session.
Third – Sixth Grade
Sunday and Wednesday
Torah Projects: We believe that our sacred texts lie at the heart of Jewish tradition and identity. Each of our elementary grades actively engages in a Torah study project. These projects focus on Jewish text through sophisticated and age-appropriate lenses. As each student uncovers the lessons and values that are relevant to their lives, Torah comes alive in a real and applicable way. At the end of the year all students present their Torah projects to their family and friends at an all school “Shavuot Hagigah.”
Jewish Calendar and Holiday Projects: Our school community celebrates and observes the rhythm of the Jewish calendar together. Each class spends time doing in-depth discovery of a particular holiday, and prepares a display, handout, or presentation for the rest of the school.
Passover: The Exodus from Egypt is a foundational moment in our people’s communal memory. The story is told and re-told each Passover, and our students prepare for this tradition by studying an age-appropriate portion of the Passover story and Passover traditions. The grades then come together for a school community “Hagigah” celebration.
Focus Areas: Each of our elementary grades study an additional Jewish topic that reaches beyond the categories of Hebrew, Torah and Holidays. Their concentrations include:
• Third Grade - explore our relationship with the State of Israel
• Fourth Grade - engage in the study and practice of Tikkun Olam
• Fifth Grade - wrestle with Judaism’s many notions of God
• Sixth Grade - “meet” some of the heroes of Jewish History
Each grade has the opportunity to teach their subject to the entire school community.
Hebrew and Prayer
Students study Hebrew in an exciting and unique setting called a Beit Midrash. Using the Reform Movement’s innovative Mitkadem curriculum, Hebrew learning takes place in a large, all school open “classroom” that emphasizes individualized learning. The program is overseen by a Hebrew coordinator and several Hebrew specialists. The students are guided individually by these experienced teachers, who ensure that all students are receiving personal support and encouragement as they progress in their Hebrew studies.
In our Beit Midrash learning environment, students are encouraged to work individually, together in Hevruta (pairs), in small groups, or one-on-one with a teacher. These varied approaches guide students towards the goal of reading Hebrew prayers with accuracy and fluency in a fun and manageable way. The program challenges students to gain a deeper meaning of our prayers, and provide them with a basic Hebrew vocabulary. The day culminates with a dynamic prayer service for all grades, led by our clergy and religious school leadership. As students master their Hebrew prayers, they can take part in leading the service for the school, which is great practice for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Hebrew Tutoring
We recognize that students have different learning needs, and often enter our program at different times. It is our goal to make Hebrew reading accessible to all of our students. Hebrew tutors will always be available during school to assist students. If students need or desire additional tutoring outside of normal class hours, the Religious School Office can connect families with qualified tutors. All tutors must be approved and supervised by the Religious School Director. Please contact the Religious School Office for more information.
B’nai Mitzvah
Preparing for B’nai Mitzvah is an exciting time in a child’s Jewish learning. Temple Emanuel provides a comprehensive and in-depth B’nai Mitzvah training program. This program includes:
• Parent Orientation Workshop
• Meetings with Clergy
• Private Hebrew tutoring
• Opportunities for community involvement
• Tikkun Olam projects
• For a more detailed explanation of these programs, please consult the B’nai Mitzvah Page
• Individual mentoring with a rabbi of the congregation or community member
The continuation of study through the religious school is a crucial piece of the B’nai Mitzvah year. Students planning to have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanuel must be enrolled and attend our religious school program. For questions concerning this policy, please consult with Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin.
Seventh Grade
Sunday and Wednesday
Hebrew: Group Hebrew study enables students to move through the Hebrew preparations for B’nai Mitzvah with greater ease. The Wednesday Hebrew program concentrates on increasing students facility with reading and chanting the prayers found in our Shabbat morning and afternoon services. We also strive to help students take personal meaning from the prayers they will lead during their Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Students with advanced Hebrew knowledge may be exempt from this program. Contact the Religious School office with questions.
Judaica - Mitzvah Corps: Students explore social activism, discovering different ways to make our world a better place. Includes hands-on experiences: leading community and temple-wide projects to end genocide, addressing environmental and ecological issues, and building relationships with residents of nursing homes and retirement communities. Meets Mitzvah Project requirement for B’nai Mitzvah. Open to 7th and 8th grade students.