Limud (Lifelong Learning)
Through a values-based frame, students explore Torah, holidays, history, sacred ritual objects, Israel, ethics, and more. Each year they revisit the same seven framing values through a different, age-appropriate lens or perspective. Just as we reread the same Torah portions every year and gain something new from them, our learners deepen their understanding of each value through nuance and maturity.
Hebrew
Grades K-3: Our younger students participate in Hebrew Through Movement, an experiential and participatory program designed to help students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to commands shared by a trained facilitator. For example, upon hearing “la-rutz el ha-delet”, students would “run to the door”. By initiating this accessible form of language acquisition at an early age, students are more familiar with the letters, grammar, and structure of Hebrew by the time they begin to study prayers.
Grades 4-5: Our Hebrew program takes on a formalized role with our older students, as they begin to decode Hebrew words and blend letters and vowels together to form words. Once they have mastered the Alef-Bet, students begin to work on reading, chanting, and understanding the prayers we read during Shabbat T’filah, many of which they will lead on the occasion of their B’nai Mitzvah.
T’filah (Prayer)
All K-5 students participate in weekly T’filah (prayer) with their peers. T’filah takes place at the beginning or end of their Religious School day, so families are welcome to join our students during this time. Religious School families are also invited to monthly Rockin’ Shabbat services on Friday nights. Both Religious School T’filah and Rockin’ Shabbat services are musical, interactive experiences led by Rabbi Buyer-Witman and Sheldon Low.
Music
Students in Grades K-3 and the Traditional Grades 4-5 program participate in weekly music classes with Sheldon Low. Sheldon is an experienced educator who uses music to teach about Jewish and Israeli history, culture, and holidays.
