Contact: Linda Schultz, Religious School Administrator, gro.tcibcnull@peyibc, 860-233-8215 x233, for more information.
Grades PreK-2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grades 8-9 (Journey Onward)
Grade 10 (Confirmation)
Grades PreK-2
It’s never too early for your child to come to our religious school! Along with you, our parents and families, we will sow the seeds of a joyful Jewish life for our children in Pre K – through grade 2. Starting in Pre K your child will learn simple Hebrew words through songs and
games. In each subsequent grade more vocabulary will continue to be introduced with the use of illustrations, stories and, eventually terrific age-appropriate Hebrew textbooks. We teach through story time, art projects, music, dance and fun, while building a community of young children who blossom and grow under our care. One Sunday per month we hold a weekday service in the sacred space of our beautiful chapel where students can experience the excitement of meeting and learning from our clergy.
Grade 3
CORE COURSES
HEBREW
Students will practice the Hebrew Aleph Bet and become familiar with the vowel sounds. They will practice fluency in reading and will learn simple Modern Hebrew vocabulary. Students will be able to recite the Barchu, Shema and blessings for the Shabbat candles.
Texts: Ot L’Ba’ot Home Study Book
Faculty: Claire Newman – Sunday; Michelle Meyer – Wednesday
HISTORY
The Bible to the Exile – Debbie Sheridan
In this course the students will gain an understanding of their ancestral and Jewish history. They will study the story of creation; Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Noah; Abram and Sarai; Abraham and Sarah; Jacob and Esau; Joseph; Moses and the story of the Exodus.
Textbook: A Child’s Introduction to Torah
ISRAEL
Eretz Yisrael (The History of Israel) – Michelle Meyer
Students will learn about G-D’s covenant with Abraham and the land of Israel and follow the journey of the Jews who left slavery in Egypt to travel through the desert to the ‘Promised Land.’ Students will learn about the destruction of the First and Second Temples and how the Jews came to settle and claim Jerusalem as their Holy City. Students will learn how holidays and festivals are celebrated in Israel.
Textbook: Yisrael Artzeinu
JUDAIC STUDIES
SONG AND DANCE
D.J. Fortine/Eric Schneider/Michelle Meyer/Bruce Badner
Students will learn old and new music from the Reform Jewish camp movement with our new Song Leader D.J. who has spent many years leading music at the Eisner and Crane Lake camps. He will be accompanied by Michelle and Bruce in his musical endeavors, while, on other weeks Eric Schneider will introduce the music of Israel through the sheer physical joy of participating in Israeli dance and song.
THE ARTS OF BEING JEWISH! – TBA
Students will create art and cooking projects while learning about our wonderful Jewish holidays. Taste pomegranates and learn about their special significance in Israel; make a nature picture for Succoth; create your own menorah and stained glass ornaments for Chanukah; taste delicious latkes; eat hamantashen for Purim; and enjoy making your own Passover symbols. We won’t forget Yom Ha’Atzmaut – the celebration of independence for the State of Israel, nor the delicious blintzes for Shavuot!
Note: There is a $30 materials fee for this class.
GRADE 4
CORE COURSES
HEBREW
Students will know the Hebrew Aleph Bet and all the vowel sounds. They will practice fluency in reading and will add more words to their Modern Hebrew vocabulary. Students will be able to recite the Shema and its blessings and will be introduced to the T’fillah (Central Prayer). They will be able to translate simple vocabulary from the Liturgy and will understand the general meaning of the prayers they are studying. There will be a weekly homework assignment.
Textbooks: Z’man L’Tephillah; Ulpan Aleph Beit
Faculty: Sandy Naboicheck – Sunday/Wednesday
HISTORY
After the Exodus; Prophets; Medieval History through the ‘Haskalah’ (Age of Enlightenment) – Ben Beck
Students will be introduced to the Book of Prophets and study some of the writings of our great sages whose ideas, although created long ago, are so relevant to our lives today. Students will learn about the Jewish exile from Jerusalem and will trace the journey of the Jews in the Diaspora (Jews outside of Jerusalem). Students will learn of famous rabbis and teachers and the dawning of the age of assimilation (Jews no longer wanting to be separate from other nations).
Textbook: Journey Through Jewish History
ISRAEL
The Geography and People of Israel – Claire Newman
Students will study the many ethnic races and religions that live in the land of Israel and discover, through use of the Internet, text books and their imaginations to learn how children live their lives in Israel. Students will also learn about Israel’s neighboring countries.
Textbook: Welcome to Israel
JUDAIC STUDIES
HANDS–ON SIDRAH STORIES – TBA
This will be a highly original way of studying stories from our Torah. Each week we will choose a different ‘parasha’ (story) and create sacred objects that will illustrate those stories. Think of Noah’s Ark; think of the building of our Holy Temple; think of the Manna sent down by G-D to the children of Israel in the wilderness and if you don’t know or don’t remember these stories, you will by the end of this semester as you create your own ‘spiritual art’ that will remind you always of our Torah.
MAGIC, MOVIES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! – Ben Beck
Ben Beck will continue with his love for the stories of Harry Potter, but is expanding this class to include other media that will appeal to young students and will teach them lessons about Torah, justice and ethical values. This class will include excerpts from popular children’s literature, scenes from children’s movies and, of course, one or two chapters from the great Harry Potter series. If you have a favorite and think it might be suitable for the class please talk to Mr. Beck and he will be glad to try and incorporate your suggestion into his course.
GRADE 5
CORE COURSES
HEBREW
Students will review the letters of the Aleph Beit as well as the Shema and its blessings. They will study the T’fillah which includes the Avot V’ Imahot and the Gevurot. Students will be assessed throughout the school year as to their progress in this subject. There will be a weekly homework assignment. All students will be asked to participate in Shabbat and other services when appropriate.
Textbooks: Shema Is For Real; Mishkan T’fillah ($36 per student); Ulpan Aleph Beit
Faculty: Norman Schain – Sunday/Wednesday
HISTORY
Challenge and Change in America – Deena Sisitsky
Students will study the path of Jews famous and otherwise who made the journey to America. We will study how life changed for Eastern European Jews in America and what impact they had upon American society. Students will also study the rise of Nazism and the new wave of European immigrants – Holocaust victims and the birth of Israel.
Textbook: Challenge and Change (Vol. 1)
ISRAEL
The Road Trip – Ben Beck
Students will travel the Land of Israel and learn about its various regions, cities and deserts. We will look at the coastal cities, Jerusalem, the Negev and the Galilee. Information about these cities will be gathered using the Internet, along with other sources.
Textbook: Artzeinu
JUDAIC STUDIES
THE MELTING POT – Roberta Tansman
An Adventure in New York
This unique book in the Do-It-Yourself Jewish adventure series for young readers is set in the turbulent Lower East Side of New York at the turn of the century. On every page you are forced to make a decision that will determine your future. Should you sew new clothes in a sweatshop or sell goods from a pushcart? Should you join the new struggling union being formed or take sides with your boss? When you succeed in saving money, should you invest it in your own factory or become a butcher? At each step up the ladder of success, each student makes an individual decision that influences the way he or she continues to read the book. This New York adventure will not only teach about our ancestors’ immigration experiences upon coming to America, but will provoke discussion and the realization that we are all faced with choices and how those choices can affect our whole lives.
ETHICAL DILEMMAS – Debbie Sheridan
Imagine these scenarios….
- Someone wrote unkind graffiti on a bathroom wall about a girl you know and you know who did it. Should you tell?
- A lawsuit is filed in Denver to edit out the ‘dirty bits’ in movies for children under the age of 18. Several directors, including Steven Spielberg and Robert Redford, tried to stop the lawsuit saying that it destroys the art of the movie and that it encroaches on free speech. Do you think that movies and books should be censored to protect unknowing children or other innocent viewers?
- Mrs. Katz, the Hebrew school teacher, confiscates two cell phones from students who are texting in the middle of class. She leaves the room after the class is over and later discovers that the cell phones are missing. The parents claim that Mrs. Katz had no right to confiscate the cell phones, and being that she did, she should be liable for replacing those phones. Do you agree?
Debbie Sheridan will lead lively and very thought-provoking discussions on issues that constantly challenge our morality. Discover what our forefathers had to say on the various topics that will come up in the classroom. We will be looking to you for suggestions and ideas of dilemmas to be discussed.
GRADE 6
CORE COURSES
HEBREW
Students will become familiar with all prayers required for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony. (See Bar or Bat Mitzvah page for details).
Homework assignments will be given and students will be assessed throughout the school year as to their progress in this subject.
Students will be asked to participate in Shabbat and other services when appropriate.
Textbooks: Z’man Likro ,Mishkan Tefilah, Shalom Ivrit
Faculty: Deena Sisitsky – Sunday/Wednesday
HISTORY
JEWS IN THE 20th and 21st CENTURIES – Debbie Sheridan
Students will learn of Jewish politics in Europe, Israel and America and gain a brief knowledge of the history of Islamic religions. Students will discuss what ‘being Jewish’ means and how they foresee the path of the Jewish future. Students will learn about life during the Holocaust by focusing on a very delightful and thought provoking book entitled ‘The Holocaust Cookbook.’ Students will cook and taste some of these delicious recipes as they discover the lives of women who, despite immense hardship, continued to cook good Jewish meals for their families.
Textbooks: Challenge and Change; The Holocaust Cook Book
ISRAEL
THE ISRAEL EXPERIENCE – Norman Schain
As we all know the ultimate Israel Experience is to go there!! However, for many ,this may be a trip to which at present you can only look forward! Our course will encourage students to explore Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) and M’Dinat Yisrael (the new modern land and culture of Israel) for themselves. Students will learn geographical details of the country, comprehend its modern timeline as well as discuss the many cultures, histories, arts and peoples that inhabit this holy land.
JUDAIC STUDIES
JEWS AROUND THE WORLD – Karyn Burns
This course, created by Alexa Mannheim, has been awarded “Most Innovative Program in a Religious School Setting” by the Commission on Jewish Education and Leadership (CJEL).
Did you know that there are Jews who come from Ethiopia? Uganda? Morocco? Egypt? Yemen? Jews live in all parts of the world, and together form a global Jewish community while enjoying their own styles of music, food and culture. Come and learn more about these communities as we explore together the traditions of Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews while listening to their music, reading their stories and tasting their foods and so, so much more!
LIVING AS PARTNERS WITH GOD – Roberta Tansman
Building on the concepts and vocabulary of personal faith, this course will bring students to an understanding of community and the Jewish people’s covenantal relationship with God. How do we add to life’s holiness? By performing mitzvot such as giving tzedakah, offering our time and devoting ourselves to a project that can help others, thus improving the lives of others. Students will learn how we honor our covenant (contract with God) as did our biblical ancestors, our prophets and our modern heroes who dedicated themselves to living as partners with God.
GRADE 7
CORE COURSES
A BLESSING AND A LIGHT – Scott Myers
Last year, this course was given the Weisel Family Education Grant from the Commission on Jewish Education and Leadership (CJEL) .
Students will strengthen their identity as young people of Reform Judaism and their awareness of and ability to communicate with others regarding issues of faith. The class operates as a small group seminar format in which students have the opportunity and are encouraged to explore ideas of interest to them. Topics covered formally include: what it means to choose to be Jewish; core principles of Reform Judaism; Tikkun Olam (the repair of the world); free will; being God’s chosen people; being made in God’s image; understanding the responsibilities of God and humans in our world; all aspects of the Holocaust and its continued relevance (what it was; how it happened; the importance of understanding, remembering and teaching about it); the beliefs of Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, Christianity and Islam relative to Reform Judaism; Zionism and the importance of Israel; and the dangers of standing silent in the face of anti-semitism, religious fundamentalism, and intolerance. In 2009-2010, 7th graders created Spare Change, a program to remember those lost in the Holocaust. Read more about Spare Change.
TURN IT AND TURN IT – MAKING TORAH STUDY ‘COOL’ AGAIN
Rabbi Dena Shaffer
Rabbi Shaffer will encourage our students to think beyond the simple bible stories that they once learned and encourage them to consider Torah in its broadest sense as they are guided through love stories, bloody battles and priestly barbecues!! Each student will have the opportunity to study, discuss and gain insight into their individual Torah assignments, as well as discovering the funniest, craziest and most meaningful events in the sacred book of their heritage.
JUDAIC STUDIES
JEWS, MOVIES AND THE AMERICAN DREAM – Karyn Burns
Through the use of original movies, documentary film, discussion, critique and the occasional bag of popcorn, students will research the history of American film from its origins through the 1960’s through the use of text, film scripts and the Internet. We will offer our students a unique view of our Jewish history through the eyes of the American public. Why was a particular movie awarded an Oscar? How many movies deemed worthy of critical merit were made by Jews? What were the themes of these movies? Students will understand that the first movie moguls came to America with nothing but ambition and a vision for the future. Although they became powerful and wealthy and were determined to assimilate into American society, it was extremely difficult for them to free themselves from the hardships of their Eastern European Jewish past. Hollywood moguls such as Louis B. Mayer, Adolf Zukor and the Warner Brothers, like the prophets, had desired to make the world glorious and just, and probably unbeknownst to themselves, they heralded in their movies a Messianic Age where justice and right overcame all adversity.
TZEDEK! TZEDEK!! TIRDOF JUSTICE! JUSTICE!! YOU SHALL PURSUE!
Roberta Tansman
Ethical principles found in the Bible provide the primary basis for Western law and societal life. The ideals of justice, mercy and due process, particularly, come directly from the Jewish legal tradition. In this course students will study and discuss ideas and laws put forth by our ancient and modern Jewish fathers and mothers, while participating in projects that further the imperative to live our lives with integrity and to pursue social justice. Students will be helped and encouraged to pursue their own ‘Tikkun Olam’ (repair of the world) projects, and will have an opportunity to meet with people in our community who constantly strive to make this world a better place.
WHAT IS ? – TBA
Our students learn a great deal in their secular middle school years and are constantly absorbing the tapestry of our great American history and heritage. We must do the same for them in their Jewish middle school years in order for them to maintain that same pride and knowledge of their Jewish history and heritage. This year, for the first time, we will offer a course that will focus on the Jewish vocabulary of our people. Our 7th grade students will learn the basic meaning of ideas, words and concepts that will come up in their Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies and will take them beyond their Jewish education to date. This course will be equally important and useful to those students who are not yet contemplating becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. What is Haftarah? Kabbalah? Midrash? Talmud? Pirkei Avot? Just a few questions that will be answered in the coming school year.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON – 7th grade
LITURGY
Students will begin their studies with their assigned Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutors. Students are expected to attend all Wednesday afternoon teaching services led by the clergy.
Students will study the Shabbat liturgy and be expected to be able to recite all required prayers. Students will be evaluated as to their knowledge and readiness to lead the Shabbat services.
Text: Mishkan T’filah
Faculty: Rabbi Michael Pincus
THE JOURNEY ONWARD!
A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR AND BY STUDENTS IN GRADES 8 AND 9
FACILITATORS - Carrie Shaw (8th grade) and Jeff Smith (9th grade); Cantor Pamela Siskin (Director of Community Learning)
GOALS:
• To keep our teenagers together as a cohesive social group
• To maintain their connections to the synagogue
• To provide a safe and effective environment for students to voice their opinions and to ask their questions
• To raise awareness of the Jewish perspective in daily living, spiritual searching and world events
Students who participate in this program will help create and design a Jewish experience which will reflect their needs in a modern world, andcreate a ‘kehillah’ (a Jewish community) which will promote confidence and strength in themselves and in one another. This program includes field trips; Tikkun Olam (The Repair of the World) projects; visits to institutions of Jewish interest; participation in temple events and, of course, many chances to socialize and build a team with a strong Jewish identity.
Grade 10 – Confirmation
At Confirmation, students enjoy:
- A weekly class where you will study with our Rabbis
- Family dinners and presentations of topical interest
- An exclusive weekend trip to New York City, to enjoy theater and places of Jewish interest and worship
- A chance to form new friendships and strengthen old friendships
- Opportunities to create programs and worship services
- Pictures of all confirmands will be displayed on our Wall of Confirmation
Contact: Linda Schultz, Religious School Administrator, gro.tcibcnull@peyibc, 860-233-8215 x233, for more information.