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Temple Israel Religious School Philosophy and Curriculum Goals

At Temple Israel Religious School, we strive to foster a sense of joy and appreciation in our children and their families, as teachers help each student develop:

• A strong sense of belonging to Kehilla (community)
  An ongoing relationship with HaMakom (literally meaning this place, HaMakom also is used in Hebrew as a name for God), and Tefilah (prayer)

• A love for Talmud Torah (lifelong Jewish learning) and

• A connection to Am Yisrael (both the modern state of Israel, and the entire community of Israel) & Hatikvah (literally translated as the hope, Hatikvah, which is the national anthem of Israel expresses the eternal hope that has sustained the Jewish people for centuries.

Click here to go to page with downloadable Religious School Prayer Melodies

We welcome you with JOY to our program:

GAN – Kindergarten – “Baruchim Ha'Ba'im - WELCOME to ALL! ”

In this 2 hour program, students meet once a week to discover the joys of all things Jewish. Through, stories, songs, holiday & Israel celebrations, Hebrew language skill building, mitzvot, and more, our Gan students make a sweet entry into our school and community.

ALEPH – Grade 1 – “Shalom Aleichem - We WELCOME you with PEACE”

Building on what is learned in Gan , our Aleph students are introduced to our 4 hour program, which meets twice a week. Students learn more about holidays and Israel, begin weekly parasha (Torah portion) conversations; begin writing Hebrew script, while increasing Hebrew language skills through games, songs, and more.

BET – Grade 2 – “Tzetchem L'Shalom – We send you off with PEACE”

Reinforcing all that is learned in Aleph, our Bet students learn the Jewish calendar system and can determine the beginning of each new month by the shape of the moon. Hebrew reading and comprehension increases in this culminating year, and as they launch forward, parents present their children with their very own Siddur!

GIMEL – Grade 3 – “Shehecheyanyu – We've come this far”

Our 6 hour program, which meets 3 times a week begins. Building on all that is learned in BET , our GIMEL students begin using the siddur to learn the words, melodies, and meaning of several Tefilot (prayers). Hebrew reading and vocabulary skills increase, as a Lama makes its way into the classroom! Hosting a Tu B'shvat Seder, students learn the agriculture connections between our holidays and the land of Israel . Torah is explored as a continuum from creation to the exodus, helping students learn important values to live by.

DALET – Grade 4 – “V'Kiyemanu - We're growing Stronger”

Reinforcing all that is learned in GIMEL, our DALET students delve deeper into the Tefilah (prayer), and emerge as leaders and role models. Modern Hebrew language skills increase as comprehension is woven into holiday studies and celebrations. Torah exploration continues with an emphasis on our journey to freedom and the imperative to tell this story through our Passover Haggadah.

DALET ENRICHMENT – Grade 4

For those motivated 4th grade students desiring more, we offer 2 additional hours of study on Sundays. As part of this Enrichment experience, students delve deeper into conversational Hebrew and Siddur comprehension.

HEY – Grade 5 – “V'Higiyanu - We've reached this milestone” Introduction to our Pre-Bar Bat Mitzvah Years

Building on all that is learned in Dalet, our Hey students learn how to lead the Shabbat Torah service, and then do so at the end of the year before their families and friends. Each student completes a course in Modern Hebrew Ulpan (language immersion), and has an in-depth survey into Israel as a modern state. Torah exploration continues with a look into the books of Ne'viim (prophets) and Ke'tuviim (writings) where biblical characters are viewed for both their strengths and weaknesses. Hey students also analyze some moral dilemmas and Jewish responses which help to guide our lives.

HEY INTENSIVE – Grade 5

For those motivated 5th grade students desiring more, we offer 4 additional hours of study (2 on Sundays and 2 Thursdays). As part of this experience, students enjoy smaller class size on Sundays, delving deeper into both conversational and biblical Hebrew. During the week, students learn how to read Torah with Rabbi Starr, and take a more thorough look at Mishna (moral dilemmas and Jewish responses)

VOV/ZAYIN – Grades 6 & 7– The B'nai Mitzvah Years “La'Z'man Ha'Zeh! - This is the Time!”

This new program has been designed to help students and families gain comfort and familiarity with the many rites and privileges associated with this the B'nai Mitzvah years. Vov and Zayin students take part in a blend of formal CORE classes, experiential electives, and family learning programs.

VOV – 6th Grade CORE Courses – 4 hours of Program

Reinforcing everything learned in Hey, all Vov students spend 2 hours during the week building connections between both the keva (order and sequence) and kavanah (spiritual meaning), of Tefilah (prayer), while following the weekly parasha (Torah portion), and making meaningful connections to their own bar/bat mitzvah portions. In addition, Modern Hebrew language will be reinforced through conversation and writings.

Vov students spend an additional 2 hours of CORE on Sundays learning the textual basis of several Mitzvot Ben Adam L'Makom (mitzvot associated with our relationship to God), including holiday observances; ritual signs and symbols; the laws of kashrut and Shabbat. Parents are invited into class at the end of each unit (a total of 4 sessions) to learn from and together with their children, and to delve deeper into the “hows and whys” of leading a life of mitzvot. We look forward to your family's participation in this educational series. The total number of Sunday sessions is decreased in order to increase Vov student attendance at Shabbat morning services!

ZAYIN – 7th Grade CORE Courses – 4 hours of Program

Building on everything learned in Vov, Zayin students spend 2 hours during the week exploring Jewish identity and the connection to people hood through a survey of modern Jewish History and the Holocaust. Connection to the land of Israel will be solidified by building “revisiting” all of the modern cities, their landmarks, industries, and most importantly, the people who live there.

Zayin students will spend an additional 2 hours of CORE on Wednesday evenings learning the textual basis of several Mitzvot Ben Adam L'Chavero (mitzvot associated with our relationship with our fellow human beings), including pursuing righteousness; helping those in need; the exercise of speech; and having compassion for all living things. While exploring these ethical commandments, Zayin students will also look into the meaning of Drash (expanding on Torah text) and explore the messages of their own bar/bat mitzvah prophetic (Haftorah) portions. Parents are invited into class at the end of each unit (a total of 4 sessions) to learn from and together with their children, and to delve deeper into the “hows and whys” of leading a life of mitzvot. We look forward to your family's participation in this educational series. The total number of Wednesday evening sessions is decreased in order to increase Zayin student attendance at Shabbat morning services!

VOV & ZAYIN (6th & 7th Grade) Elective Courses

Being able to choose what to study is a privilege of these special 2 years. Students choose how to fill the remaining 2 hours (of their 6 hour program) by selecting two classes from the list below. Each elective course contains an element of text study, creating and sharing with the greater community.

“Spiritual Spices” Jewish Holiday Cooking

Teachers: Bracha Frohlich & Bracha Vaknin

This course is more than a collection of recipes – it is a very special form of communication, encompassing the entire cycle of Jewish holidays and occasions. We hope to reach beyond our students to share the experience of cooking with our community, family and friends within the context of Jewish lifecycle. Students will learn “the spices” – kosher dishes, against the backdrop of “spirituality” – the richness of Jewish life. These two elements are intertwined; the spices of the food derive flavor from the spirit – or the occasion for which it was prepared. This course will incorporate an exciting curriculum based around the central themes of Shabbat, Jewish holidays, Kashrut, blessings, historical events, and ancient food traditions . The goal of this course is to help each student “taste” the excitement and relevance of Judaism.

Art and the Jewish Experience: Holiday Seminar

Teacher: Cindy Kaplan

In this course, we will examine the sequence of selected Jewish holidays, their historical themes, and how our artists have depicted our traditions throughout the ages. Students will examine ways to "beautify” each holiday, and examine their personal connection to each by making thoughtfully planned projects that will express their personal meaning and interpretation. Items of art will be created to keep, to share, to use and to treasure. The course will culminate with a group exhibit of students' work.

Art and the Jewish Experience: Ritual Seminar

Teacher: Cindy Kaplan

Judaism is rich in its objects, symbols, and variety of practices that make us a unique and special people. These ritual items are symbols of pride and love in our daily lives and worship experiences. What we hang on our doors, set at our tables, wear on our bodies, and keep in our homes identify our deep heritage. This course will focus on learning concepts in art and using materials along with learning and understanding the meaning behind everything we will create. All students will be encouraged to express themselves through the Judaica that will be created to keep, to share, and to treasure. This course will culminate in a final group exhibit of students' work.

Jewish Journalism

Teachers: Ariel Dagan & Arnold Cover

Create the Boston Globe of Temple Israel! Let our community read what you think in a newspaper where you'll be the reporters, the editors, and the publishers. Come up with story ideas, investigate and write up the issues of the day, and learn how journalists produce stories that matter. As we develop our skills in news writing, we'll check out Jewish newspapers and magazines from around the world, as well as examples of reporting through the ages that have shaped Jewish life and the societies in which Jews have lived.

Gimilut Chesed Club

Teachers: Ariel Dagan & Arnold Cover

You don't have to be a superhero to change the world. Many of the super heroes in comic books and movies were created by Jewish writers who were interested in changing the world through acts of chesed, selfless acts of helping others. But you won't need a cape or a mask, just the desire to find ways to make the world a better place. Jewish tradition teaches us that “it is not your obligation to complete the task, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it entirely.” Learn how to be effective in making a difference, whether it's a small change affecting the people and the environment of your daily life or your responses to enormous issues that have an impact on the whole planet.

* VOV INTENSIVE

For those motivated 6th grade students desiring more, we offer 4 additional hours of study (2 on Sundays, and 2 on Thursday afternoons). As part of this experience, students enjoy smaller class size on Sundays, delving deeper into both conversational and biblical Hebrew. During the week, students study Torah text with Rabbi Starr, and take a more thorough look at comprehending Tefilah (prayer).

* ZAYIN INTENSIVE

For those motivated 7th grade students desiring more, we offer 3 additional hours of study (Monday, Wednesday & Thursday afternoons). On Wednesdays, students will study with Rabbi Starr, and during the remainder of the week, students will enjoy the opportunity to delve deeper into both conversational and biblical Hebrew in a small group setting. Special recognition will be given to our intensive students at our Zayin Siyyum.