Overview of Sunday Hebrew School Curriculum
Each successive grade level reinforces and expands on the lessons of the preceding grades.
Gan/JK and SK
Judaica Goals:
· Age-appropriate introduction to the values of Judaism, with an emphasis on Mitzvot (commandments) and Tikkun Olam (the principal of improving the world).
Hebrew Goals:
· Incorporating fun, interactive activities, students will be taught Hebrew letters, the alphabet, numbers, days of the week, months and seasons of the year, common words and family names.
Grades 1 and 2
Judaica Goals:
· Explore customs commonly shared in Jewish homes and in synagogue.
· Introduction to Shabbat and holiday customs, prayers and music through crafts and songs.
· Visits with Rabbi Tina, who will meet with students several times throughout the year.
Hebrew Goals:
· Students will continue to learn the letters and be introduced to the vowels.
· Vocabulary reviewed and expanded to include Judaica items and artifacts used in the synagogue.
· Blessings, songs and prayers: students will start to learn the Shabbat and holiday blessings.
Grades 3-4
Judaica Goals:
· Students will continue to learn through ‘hands on’ experiments and experiences, employing stories, food, and music.
· Teaching of Jewish values will introduce Derech Eretz (respectful behaviour), and more in-depth exploration of Tikkun Olam.
· More detailed exploration of individual Holiday customs.
· Learning Brachot (blessings) for Holidays and Shabbat
· Introduction of Jewish life cycle events from Birth to B’nei Mitzvah.
· Start a grade Mitzvot project.
Hebrew Goals:
· Hebrew will continue through decoding, games, and social interactions.
Grades 5 and 6
Judaica Goals:
· As in the earlier grades, teaching will incorporate varied and experiential hands-on activities.
· Study of life cycle events expanded to include Engagement & Marriage through to death.
· Students will learn about the history and traditions of Reconstructionism.
· Age-appropriate introduction to the Holocaust.
· Learn about modern Jewish heroes.
· Completion of class Mitzvot project as well as an individual research project.
Hebrew Goals:
· Hebrew learning will continue through Service prayers and songs.
· Hebrew as part of social interactions.
Grade 6 - pre Bar/Bat Mitzvah leadership
· As ‘seniors’ in the Hebrew school, these students will have a leadership role, helping younger students in lower grades.
· Students will start learning prayers for their own service by learning the appropriate prayers (e.g. prayer for donning tallit (prayer shawl); receiving an aliyah (call to the Torah).
· Students will help plan school holiday programs as well as the “Tour of Israel” program.
All grades: Tour of Israel (new for 2021)
A school-wide, month-long program during which students will experience Israel.
· Learn about the Declaration of Independence.
· Each week students will learn about a new city: Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Eliat.
· Take a virtual tour of the sights and sounds.
· E.g. Prepare a prayer to place in the Western Wall; conduct experiments involving the Dead Sea.
· Learn to make and taste the traditional foods.
All grades: Jewish Holidays and Festivals will be acknowledged as they occur.