JUDAIC STUDIES AND HEBREW
LOWER SCHOOL

Kindergarten

Hebrew letters- the students will be able to recognize and name each letter of the Alef-Bet. They will begin to ractice reading and writing each letter by itselfand learn common sight words.

Parashat Hashvuah (Text Study)- Each week we will read the current Torah portion.  Through role-playing and discussion, we will gain increasingly deeper understanding of each parasha.

Middot/Mitzvoth (Values)- Students will learn about different mitzvoth, such as Achnasat Orhim (welcoming guests) through discussion and through dramatic play
G-d/Tefillah (Prayers)- Students will learn to recite several prayers such as the Brachot Hashachar, Ma-tovu, Shema and much more.

Brachot (Blessings)- Students will learn to appreciate the different foods we eat, and to show thanks with blessings specific to those foods.

Israel & My Jewish Community- The students will explore Israel’s industries, cultures, and all that its wonderful cities have to offer.  We will even have the opportunity to taste various foods of the land, hear its wonderful music, and dance its unique dances in the round.

Holidays- For every holiday our students will gain a deeper understanding of the ritual objects related to the holiday and the reasons for and how we use these objects.

1st Grade

Hebrew Language- The Hebrew program includes reviewing all of the Alef-Bet letters and learning all of the Hebrew vowels. This year is very significant as the students will learn to read Hebrew through the! ”Tal Am” program.   In addition, the children will begin building their Hebrew vocabulary and language skills.

Parashat Hashavuah (Text Study)- Students will read the weekly Torah Portion and gain a deeper understanding of each Parasha through discussions and Midrashim (Rabbinic explanation).

Middot (Jewish Values)- Students will learn about different Jewish values such as “Bikur Cholim” (visiting the sick) and Tzedakah (giving charity).

G-d/ T’Fillah (prayer)- Students will learn to recite several prayers such as “Shacharit” (morning) service, Shabbat prayers and blessings, as well as Jewish holiday prayers. Students will participate every day in a T’fillah service with the whole school.

Israel & My Jewish Community- Students will explore Israel’s industries and culture. One of the main focuses is to explore places in Israel using the map. We also will have fun with Israeli food tasting as well as listening to and dancing to Israeli music.

Jewish Holidays- For every holiday our students will gain a deeper understanding of the rituals and objects related to that specific holiday through literature, music, art, and hands-on activities.

Special Activities- Kabbalat Ha’Siddur- (Receiving the Prayer Book)
This special presentation is for parents, students and families. The ceremony highlights the achievement of the students’ Siddur Studies and demonstrates the progress of their reading skills and their connection to their Jewish heritage.

2nd Grade

Hebrew Language- In second grade, we focus on conversational Hebrew using a of 3-part series of textbooks, which the students will work on from 2nd- 4th grade. Using these texts the students will explore the world of Hebrew as a living language.  Students will also begin learning Hebrew grammer skills to develop their written language skills. Students also will learn to participate in prayer with Hebrew understanding and reading fluency.
       
Parashat Hashavuah (Text Study)- Students will read the current Torah Portion twice a week and gain a deeper understanding of each Parasha by discussions and Midrashim (Rabbinic explanation).

Middot (Jewish Values)-  Students will study different Jewish values such as “G’Milut Chasadaim” (act of love and kindness), “Tzedakah” (giving charity), “Hacnasat Orchim” (welcoming guests) and “Ve’Ahavta Le’Reacha Komocha” (love and respect your friends).

G-d/ T’Fillah (prayer)-  Students will review several prayers in the “Shacharit” (morning) service, Shabbat prayers and blessings, as well as Jewish holiday prayers. The students will gain a deeper understanding of what the prayer is about and how do we apply t’fillah to our daily life. Students will participate every day in a t’fillah service with the whole school.

Israel & My Jewish Community- In this exciting and interactive component of the program, students will explore Israeli history using the map of Israel as well as the story “Ha’Mapa Mesaperet”  (The map tells a story). Jewish Holidays- For every holiday our students will gain a deeper understanding of the laws and customs related to each holiday through literature, music, art and hands-on activities.

Special Activities-

• Kabbalat Ha’Torah- Receiving the Book of “Be’Reshit” (Genesis)
  This is a special presentation for parents, students and family. The ceremony highlights the achievement of the Chumash studies, progress of the students’ reading skills and their connection to their Jewish heritage.
  
  

3rd Grade

Hebrew Language- Students will continue to focus on their conversational Hebrew and prayer, with a special focus on Jewish Values. Students will continue developing their Hebrew grammar and writing skills.

Parashat Hashavuah (Text Study)- Each week we will read the current Torah Portion. We will gain a deeper understanding of each Parasha by discussions and Midrashim. The students will begin the adventure of exploring the Biblical text. It is designed to introduce students to the process of analyzing text and how it conveys its message both in its stories and in the way its stories are told.

Middot (Jewish Values)-  Students will learn about different Jewish values using a program made up of 24 story lessons. Through various types of stories and literature, students learn the important values that influence their lives.

G-d/ T’Fillah (prayer)-  Students will participate every day at T’fillah service with the whole school.  They will begin exploring their own Jewish spirituality and relationship wth G-d throughegends, folktales, Bible stories, full-color photographs and thought-provoking activities.

Israel & My Jewish Community- The students will use a textbook called: “The great Israel Scavenger Hunt” the adventures of Daniel an American boy) and Rivkah (Daniel’s Israeli cousin), and with them to learn about the major cities and sites of Israel, the diversity of Israel’s people and cultures, our modern and biblical ties to the Jewish homeland, and the geography of Israel. In the process, the students are introduced to simple Hebrew vocabulary and the Mitzvah of love of Israel, Ahavat Tzion.

Jewish Holidays- Our Jewish holiday curriculum in 3rd grade will introduce the students to our modern customs and celebrations, together with more ancient traditions and history. We will focus on why we celebrate, how we celebrate, and the mitzvot of the holidays.

Hebrew Curriculum - 4th Grade

Our goal in 4th grade is to teach the Hebrew language so that the students will be able to read it, understand it, participate in prayers and, eventually, communicate with other Jews around the world, including Israel.

The students will be assessed and assigned to an ability level group. Each level of instruction is based on previously learned language skills and vocabulary, so as to ultimately prepare the students for a high level of reading fluency, comprehension and conversational Hebrew.

Students will focus on conversational Hebrew and participate in prayer with Hebrew understanding and reading fluency.  Students will also continue to develop their Hebrew grammer and writing skills.

Judaic Curriculum - 4th Grade

Students will study the book of “Bereshit” (Genesis)from the story of creation to the death of our patriarch Ya’akov and the beginnings of the Jewish people’s sojourn in Egypt.  Students will study each parsha by reading the text to understand what the text says and will use Rashi commentary when the text poses challenges.  Through their learning, students will increase their critical thinking skills and improve their Hebrew language acquisition.

Jewish Life Cycle-  Students will learn about the Mitzvot, Jewish rituals, and customs that surround each important life cycle event in the lives of Jewish families.  Parents will be invited to share in special class celebrations.

The History of the Jews in Arizona- This is a new course that will complement the students’ social studies unit on the State of Arizona in their secular studies.  Students will research the oral histories of the first Jews that moved out west to Arizona and take on their identities.  They will learn what motivated them to move across country and what Jewish life was like for these Jewish pioneers.  Students will visit some of the earliest Jewish institutions in Phoenix.

Jewish Holidays- Students will learn about the Hebrew calendar, the Jewish holiday cycle and specific mitzvot, special prayers added for each holiday and the historical context appropriate to their grade level.

Living As Partners With G-d- Our sages tell us that the very purpose of the Jewish people is to learn to live as a holy community so that we can make our dream of a complete and perfect world become a reality.  We will explore what is means to be a holy people, the idea of a covenant with G-d, Love of Israel, Tikkun Olam, Tzedakah & the holiness of time.

Hebrew Curriculum - 5th Grade

Our goal is to teach the Hebrew language so that the students will be able to read it, understand it, participate in prayers and communicate with other Jews around the world, including Israel.

The students will be assessed and assigned to an ability level group. Each level of instruction is based on previously learned language skills and vocabulary, so as to ultimately prepare the students for a high level of reading fluency, comprehension and conversational Hebrew.

Each unit of study sets appropriate goals for understanding, oral expression, written expression, Jewish religion and culture and language (vocabulary).  Basic reading, writing, and grammer skills will be reviewed and expanded upon.

Judaic Curriculum - 5th Grade

Students will study the book of Shemot from the rise of a new pharaoh who did not know Joseph to the Exodus from Egypt to the construction of the Mishkan (sanctuary) in the desert.  Students will study each parsha by reading the text to understand what the text says and will use Rashi commentary when the text poses challenges.  Through their learning, students will increase their critical thinking skills and will improve their Hebrew language acquisition by reading the text in Hebrew and translating specific verses.  Students will have the opportunity to relate the lives of their ancestors to their lives today and to ask themselves: what is the Torah saying to me?

Jewish History- The history of Jews in America will provide an overview of the 354 year history of the Jews in America, beginning with arrival of the first Jews in 1654 until the present time.  This course will parallel the 5th grade secular studies curriculum of the history of the United States from the colonial times onward.  Students will learn about the significant contributions of Jews in all areas of American life.

Jewish Holidays- Students will review the Jewish lunar calendar, the Jewish holiday cycle and specific mitzvot, special prayers added for each holiday and the historical context appropriate to their grade level.

Being a Mensch- Judaism teaches that each of us affects the world in a profound and extraordinary way.  Our actions affect those around us and make a difference in peoples’ lives.  Maimonides (Rambam) challenged us to imagine that even a single action could “tip the balance, our own balance and the balance of the entire world.”  This unit is designed to guide students on a path to mensch-hood by giving them a tool kit of Jewish values to use for the rest of their lives.

Judaic Studies and Hebrew Middle School Curriculum