CURRICULUM FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL

JACKSON, MICHIGAN

2009-2010

           Our Jewish tradition teaches that the highest purpose of living is learning in order that we may know how to act and to live as Jews and human beings.  Our goal at Temple Beth Israel’s school is to provide an educational climate in which each child will discover and cultivate a lasting Jewish identity and commitment.

      School and family are partners in the enterprise of Jewish education.  Even with the most up-to-date and creative textbooks, the Religious School is not nearly as significant to your child’s Jewish education as your own home.  A few class hours weekly are only a brief encounter with Jewish learning and values; what really matters in these formative years is what is done in the home to reinforce the learning process.  The hours in religious school are meant to supplement Jewish life; by themselves, they cannot define it.

      At Temple Beth Israel, we plan to make this an enterprise of joy, pride, accomplishment and work.  We hope to engage the hearts and minds of your children, to help them sense the continuity of Jewish tradition, the richness and creativity of Jewish learning, and the possibilities of active, committed Jewish life today and tomorrow. We need also to prepare our children for the implications of living in a non-Jewish environment and to understand and retain their Jewish identity while living in homes in which one parent is not Jewish.  It is hoped that, by learning Jewish values and ethics, our children will become aware that they are members of a world wide Jewish community as well as a world wide human community. 

      We are embarking, together, on a voyage filled with opportunities.  We must work in partnership to make this voyage a positive and exciting one for all of us.  We need and appreciate your involvement.  

ATTENDANCE:

      Students are encouraged to attend regularly. Their learning will  be enhanced by doing so; additionally, from this they will come to an understanding of commitment to their heritage. 

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

      Classes will be held on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 A.M.  Students are expected to arrive for class on time as students who arrive after the start of classes interrupt the class lesson.   

            First Session  9:30 – 10:30

            Snack   10:30- 10:45

            Second Session 10:45-12:00

            Assembly  12:00-12:15  

PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN 

TEACHER:   Stacey Baker 

            We will begin the year with a multilevel  course with a teacher and teacher's aide from our group of recent confirmands. This will enable the different grade-level students to meet in groups for grade-appropriate instruction.  

GOALS

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  1. To develop social and developmental skills in a Jewish context
  2. To provide the basis for a love of Jewish learning
  3. To provide the first steps toward learning Hebrew
  4. For the children to learn basic blessings
  5. For the children to learn about the Temple
  6. For the children to learn about holidays

TEXTS AND MATERIALS 

The Aleph-Bet Story Book. Sarah and David Publishing

This book, used with a classroom CD and workbook, are a highly imaginative and motivating approach to teaching the Hebrew aleph-bet. 

Supplemental Materials. From  Behrman House materials

These materials cover a range of topics including Torah, Shabbat, Jewish life, siddur, haggadah. 

Kitah Aleph

Allaina Caudle

GOALS

1. For children  to learn the Aleph-Bet and basic Hebrews sight-words
2. To develop social and developmental skills in a Jewish context
3. To provide the basis for a love of Jewish learning
4. To provide the first steps toward Jewish literacy
5. For the children to learn basic blessings
6. For the children to learn about the Temple
7. For the children to learn more about holidays

TEXTS AND MATERIALS 

      Let's Explore. Behrman House

            These are a series of pamphlets that explore the different aspects of

             being Jewish.

      The New Siddur Program:Primer. Behrman House

      This book teaches the letters of the Aleph-Bet, their sounds and  combinations. It is the foundation for all subsequent Hebrew learning.  

KITOT Gimmel- Daled (2-4)

Anne Frank/David Frank 

GOALS 

1. To read Hebrew more fluently.
2. To learn more difficult holiday words and prayers in Hebrew.
3. To learn some simple prayers by memory.
4. To review the Jewish holidays as they occur during the year.
5. To learn Jewish symbols and their significance
6. T o become better acquainted with Jewish values.
7. To establish a positive religious experience.

TEXTS AND MATERIALS

The geography, history, society, and culture of Israel a presented in a well-illustrated format.

This book teaches the letters of the Aleph-Bet, their sounds and combinations. It is the foundation for all subsequent Hebrew learning. As student learn to read, Hineni will be added.

Hineni. Terry Kaye.  Behrman House

      This is a three-part series which teaches in Hebrew the prayers found in the siddur. In addition, it discusses concepts and values associated with the prayers.

KITAH Vav 

TEACHER:    Shiri Totu-Frank 

GOALS 

1. To develop Hebrew reading skills .
2. To learn more difficult holiday words and prayers in Hebrew.
3. To learn additional prayers by memory.
4. To review the Jewish holidays as they occur during the year.
5. T o become better acquainted with Jewish values through evaluating personal experiences and the experiences of others
6. To establish a positive religious experience.
7. To learn about the history of the Jewish people.

TEXTS AND MATERIALS 

Hineni Terry Kaye  Behrman House

      This is a three-part series which teaches in Hebrew the prayers found in the siddur. In addition, it discusses concepts and values associated with the prayers. Students will progress to second, third or fourth level books based on their achievements. 

Babaganewz

      This is a values-based monthly magazine, with articles on Torah and Israel. It includes interviews with young Jewish people from all over the world. This will help our youngsters feel a connection to Jews in other places. 

Jewish History Observer , Behrman House

  By means of newspaper-like articles, this book presents Jewish history from ancient to modern times.  

KITAH Zain 

•  

  TEACHERS:  Anne Frank /Shiri Totu-Frank 

Anne Frank teaching Kitah Zion with Shiri Totu-Frank  teaching the Hebrew component. 

GOALS 

•  
  1. To discuss current problems and events in a Jewish Perspective.
  2. To read Hebrew more fluently.
  3. To extend the breadth and depth of students knowledge of  Hebrew prayers and their meaning.
  4. To extend the breadth and depth of students knowledge of Jewish history
  5. To become better acquainted with Jewish values through personal experiences and the experiences of others
  6. To become mindful of current events and their meaning for Jews.
  7. To introduce the students to basic Jewish values.
  8. To introduce students to Jewish sources, resources, and literature

TEXT AND MATERIALS 

Hineni Terry Kaye  Behrman House 

      This is a three-part series, which teaches in Hebrew the prayers found in the siddur. In addition, it discusses concepts and values associated with the prayers. Students will progress to second or third level books, based on their completion of level one. 

Babaganewz

      This is a values-based monthly magazine, with articles on Torah and Israel. It includes interviews with young Jewish people from all over the world. This will help our youngsters feel a connection to Jews in other places. 

Why Be Different? By Janice Prager and Arlene Lepoff.  Behrman House. 

      Some of the issues dealt with in the text are : Being Jewish can mean being different from other people.  Sometimes it requires upholding values different from those taken for granted in our secular society.  Adolescents are searching for answers to some troubling questions. What is the point of prayer?  Can a “good Jew” question the existence of God?  Who decides what is right and what is wrong? 

Readings from traditional and contemporary Jewish sources. To be announced 

These readings will extend the students experience with the resources available to lead a life of Jewish value.