Sample Curriculum:
History
From the times of Abraham – the first Jew –until the Era of the Temple, as well as the periods of the Spanish Inquisition and the Holocaust, up to modern times.
Holidays
Lessons on each Jewish holiday: from the High Holidays through the holiday of Shavuot. A deeper understanding of traditions and customs.
Jewish Values and Ethics
Students gain an understanding of the values integrated into Jewish culture and discuss scenarios that have practical applications to our everyday life.
Jewish Customs
Why We Do What We Do – Why is Shabbat such a special day? Why is the Jewish wedding different? Insightful meaning to doing and appreciating the Jewish life-cycle.
Israel
Our program will emphasize the inherent connection of every Jew to the Land of Israel.
Hebrew
Beginning with letter recognition for our beginners, our program leads our students through phonetic decoding and grammar concepts until they attain sufficient Hebrew for Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The students will have textbooks to complete throughout the year.
Synagogue Culture
One of the goals of our program is to make sure that our students feel at ease in any synagogue. They should be comfortable with major parts of the services, recognizing the recited texts and rituals.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Students will participate in a series of Bar/Bat Mitzvah workshops as an introduction to Jewish adulthood. This class also explores the thirteen principles of Judaism by Moses Maimonides and other important texts.
As students near the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the family may choose to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony in New York City or in Israel. Please consult with the Rabbi at least 6 months in advance of your plans.