MAIN LINE REFORM TEMPLE BETH ELOHIM RELIGIOUS SCHOOL /5775 PARENT HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 MAIN LINE REFORM TEMPLE BETH ELOHIM RELIGIOUS SCHOOL /5775 PARENT HANDBOOK Stephanie Schwartz, M.A.ED, Director of Education Erica Capello, Religious School Coordinator

2 August 2014 Dear Religious School Families, I hope you are enjoying the summer weather I have missed seeing your children each week and I am literally counting the days until we kick off the new school year on Sunday, September 7th. I am looking forward to visiting with our new and returning MLRT students, Madrichim, and faculty. I am very excited about the upcoming year and continuing to work with you as a team to creatively engage our students to explore and further develop their Jewish identity in programs filled with fun and captivating Jewish experiential education. MLRT Religious School is not just a place for Jewish education. We hope it is truly considered a second home to our students and families. It is the MLRT Religious School's goal to provide our families with a community of educational, spiritual and social support. Albert Einstein said, An example isn t another way to teach, it is the only way to teach. With your help and the example set by our wonderful teaching faculty, we jump into 5775 with great enthusiasm and energy. Your children will learn the importance of their Jewish identity, Jewish holidays, Jewish traditions, and the Jewish community within our larger secular world. This greater understanding of their religion and culture will hopefully strike a flame inside them that will never go out. This kindled flame is what will be passed from generation to generation and what will keep Reform Judaism alive and strong. At MLRT Religious School, we follow the Union for Reform Judaism s (URJ) curriculum called CHAI. This curriculum has been developed by the Reform Movement and is designed to facilitate lifelong Jewish learning. It focuses classroom learning on Torah (Jewish learning), Avodah (Jewish living) and G milut Chasidim (Jewish caring). CHAI lessons are based on the Understanding by Design curriculum development model, which is widely used in the field of general education. CHAI lessons utilize an approach that begins with desired outcomes in mind. The lessons aim to nurture enduring understandings, values that have lifetime meaning for all Jews. We have also incorporated the use of the conversational Hebrew curriculum called Hebrew Through Movement (HTM). HTM is a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands. This curriculum starts with a foundation in modern spoken Hebrew but has as its goal making the prayers in our siddur, as well as synagogue and Jewish vocabulary, more easily accessible to those with limited learning time. HTM introduces Hebrew in a playful and meaningful way, creating a positive first link for children with Hebrew. You, as parents, have the strongest impact on your children's interest in their Jewish studies. I sincerely hope to see all of you at our PACT (Parents and Children Together) programs because together we can make lasting impressions for your children. By attending with your children, it affirms your interest and pride in their Jewish academic achievement and encourages them to take part in and complete special religious school projects and initiatives, one of which is our Mitzvah Mensch Program Please be on the lookout for information on our MLRT Religious School Committee and our MLRT Family Network activities. If you are interested in getting involved in the Religious School committee and being a part of the team that helps make change in our school program, please contact Mary Kamplain marykamplain@yahoo.com or Lisa Greenblatt Greenblatt5@comcast.net. The MLRT family Network chair, Jamie Forman jamie@yourmediacoach.com, will be working with me and our school faculty to help communicate school news and to connect our Religious School community through fun family events throughout the school year. Please know my door is always open and I welcome both parents and students for conversations about their MLRT experience, Judaism or any issue where I can lend my support. I look forward to a wonderful year together. Shanah Tova U Metukah, Stephanie Schwartz, M.A.ED sschwartz@mlrt.org (610)

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5 Main Line Refrom Temple Beth Elohim 410 Montgomery Ave. Wynnewood, PA (610) Main office (610) School office (610) After-hours emergency Religious School Faculty and Staff T Chia Afriat Or Ben-Ari Aya Bleicher-Nugent Rabbi Lauren Brody-Hyett Shoshana Blum Bracha Camron Alison Cohen Debra Cohen Deena Herman Max Molinari Gaby Millman Brad Gellman Miriam Goldberg Ross M. Levy Nancy Neff Andrew Nutinsky Jodi Pines Sarah Beth Podell Troy Podell Keren Pressman Zach Simon Sharon Snyder Sarah Thomas Avi Zohar Stephanie Schwartz Director of Education sschwartz@mlrt.org Erica Capello Religious School Coordinator ecapello@mlrt.org Rabbi David Straus ii Thiaafriat@yahoo.com orbenari@gmail.com sleeslash@comcast.net laurenbrody@hotmail.com shoshy90@gmail.com Brachac48@gmail.com alisoncohen725@gmail.com chocodeb3@comcast.net deena.roemer@gmail.com mam574@drexel.edu gfleek@gmail.com bgphotos@gmail.com tefeym@comcast.net rlevy@mlrt.org nancylneff@gmail.com anutinsky@gmail.com jodigailpines@gmail.com spodell@urj.org Podellteacher@gmail.com keliash@hotmail.com Simonsays811@gmail.com norahs1111@aol.com sathomas929@gmail.com Egozo2@yahoo.com

6 Rabbi Richard Hirsh Interim Rabbi Rabbi Geri Newburge Interim Rabbi Cantor Marshall Portnoy Melissa Johnson Executive Director iii

7 Table of Contents Main Line Reform Temple Beth Elohim Religious School Mission Statement Page 1 SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Contact Information Page 2 Opening Days School Hours Attendance Page 3 Arrival Dismissal Late Arrival and Early Pick-up Walking Home Inclement Weather Visitors to the School Page 4 Traffic Patterns and Other Safety Regulations RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EDUCATION Educational Philosophy Page 5 Curriculum Kindergarten Page 6 First Grade Page 7 Second Grade Page 8 Third Grade Page 9 Fourth Grade Page 10 Fifth Grade Page 11 Sixth Grade Page 12 Seventh Grade Page 13 Parent Child Classes Bar/Bat Mitzvah Students with Special Needs Confirmation Page 14 The Tribe - Eighth and Ninth Grade Program Madrichim Program Page 15 Confirmation The Post - Eleventh and Twelfth Grade PARENT AND CHILD EXPECTATIONS Parent Involvement Page 16 MLRT Mitzvah Mensch/Tzedakah Page 17 Mitzvah Marvel Cards Behavioral Expectations and Discipline Page 18 PACT Programs (Family Education) Page 19 Hebrew Proficiency Page 20 Hebrew Through Movement Ultimate Hebrew Showdown Challenge Service Expectations Page 21 YOUTH ACTIVITIES Youth Groups Page 22 Junior Jammers Congregational Service Learning Trip for B nai Mitzvah Families (6 th 8 th grades) BECOME AN INVOLVED PARENT PTO Page 23 Religious School Committee Parent Feedback Kehillah Lower Merion iv

8 Main Line Reform Temple Beth Elohim RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT At Main Line Reform Temple Religious School, we partner with parents to creatively engage our students to explore and further develop their Jewish identity individually and within the larger community. And you shall teach them diligently - Deuteronomy 6:7 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT At Main Line Reform Temple Religious School, every student will be able to find their own answer to the question being Jewish matters to me because... Faith is taking the :irst step even when you don't see the whole staircase. - Martin Luther King, Jr. i

9 CONTACT INFORMATION SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: The Religious School Office phone number is (610) s may be sent to Erica Capello at for the Religious School office and for the Director of Education, Stephanie Schwartz. Please note that communications may not be checked from Friday sundown until after Shabbat ends on Saturday night. The Religious School office is open between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, between 9:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. In case of an emergency before or after school hours, call (610) OPENING DAYS Sunday Religious School September 7, 2014 Grades K-6 Early 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. (opening day ONLY - September 7, 2014) Grades K-6 Late 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. (opening day ONLY - September 7, 2014) 7 th Grade Tuesday nights September 9, :00pm 8 th and 9 th Grades/The Tribe Retreat Program September 9, :00pm 10 th Grade Confirmation Tuesday nights September 9, :00pm Grades 3-6 Early Session Wednesday nights September 10, :00pm Grades 3-6 Late Session Thursday nights September 11, :00pm 11 th and 12 th Grades Post-Confirmation Thursday nights October 1, :00pm A Parents Bagel Brunch will be held at the start of Early and Late sessions on Opening Sunday, September 7, We will welcome parents back to school, schmooze, learn about new programs, and parents will hear about the goals of our school, upcoming programs, and be able to ask specific questions about MLRT Religious School. Following the Parents Bagel Brunch, there will be an opportunity for parents to go to the classrooms to meet their children s teachers and hear about their plans for the school year. REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS Sunday Early Session Religious School Grades K-6 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Sunday Late Session Religious School Grades K-6 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Tuesday Religious School & Confirmation 7 th & 10 th Grades 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday (Early session) Religious School Grades 3-6 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Thursday (Late session) Religious School Grades 3-6 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Thursday Post-Confirmation 11 th &12 th Grades 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. ii

10 ATTENDANCE Regular Religious School attendance is essential to our students progress and growth and their successful Religious School experience. Instructional continuity is interrupted and the valuable interaction that occurs with teachers and among fellow students is lost when a student is frequently absent, tardy or dismissed early from school. Frequent absences create difficulties for students in keeping up with class work and may discourage incentives for future progress. Excessive absences also tend to lower the status of the importance of Religious School in the eyes of the student and may negate our efforts to raise the School s standards. Parents should make every effort to maintain their children s regular attendance in order for students to enjoy the full rewards of their Religious School education and experience. Parents must notify their child s teacher if their child is going to miss class. ARRIVAL, DISMISSAL, WALKING HOME, AND VISITORS Entrance to the Religious School is through the main Temple lobby. o o o o ARRIVAL: Classes begin at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Promptness is essential to maximize the learning experience. On Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, students who arrive early may purchase snacks at our snack bar in the Tabas Lobby, outside the Religious School office doors. Students arriving for Wednesday or Thursday Religious School before 3:55 p.m. are expected to gather in the Circular Lounge where they can snack, do homework, or hang with their friends. Students are asked to remain in the Circular Lounge until 3:55 p.m. when the classrooms open. Teachers often need the time before then to prepare for class. DISMISSAL: Classes end at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. respectively on Sunday, at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Parents must pick up students promptly at the close of school. LATE ARRIVAL and EARLY PICK-UP: Promptness is essential to maximize the learning experience. Students who arrive late often find it difficult to catch up with the class and will often miss some of the fun classroom bonding activities. Early dismissal requests should be made only for reasons of urgency. Any such requests should be in writing and given to the Religious School Office (not classroom teachers). After the Director signs the note, it will be given to the teacher. If you need to pick your child up early, you must go to the School office and sign your child out. Your child will not be allowed to wait for you outside the building, nor may parents call the office and request that students be sent outside or be brought down to the office in advance of parent arrival. This is for the safety of all students and for our staff to have an accurate count of students in the classroom in the event of an emergency. WALKING HOME: If your child will be walking home from Religious School, please send a note on the first day of school authorizing the School to allow your child to leave School grounds without an adult to supervise him or her. Students are required to check out with their classroom teachers before leaving the School grounds. o INCLEMENT WEATHER: MLRT Religious School's closing number is On weekdays, when the Lower Merion Schools (number 302) dismiss early, cancel after school activities or are closed for the day due to inclement weather, our school is automatically closed. Listen for our school's closing number on KYW, 1060; NBC, 10; ABC, 6. We will also post inclement weather notices on the MLRT website at iii

11 VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL MLRT encourages parents to take an active interest in the Religious School. Parents should feel free to visit the school and to observe classes. We ask parents to comply with the following rules which pertain to such visits: 1) Parents are asked to contact their child s teacher prior to a visit. There are certain times when a classroom visit is inappropriate due to special programming or particular curricular needs. 2) In order to avoid distractions and disturbances during the class, parents are asked to arrive when class begins or during break time. Parents are asked to remain until the end of the class. Only students registered in MLRT Religious School may attend. PLEASE DO NOT BRING FRIENDS OR RELATIVES TO CLASS WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE AND PERMISSION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. TRAFFIC PATTERNS AND OTHER LIFE-SAVING REGULATIONS The following traffic regulations are to ensure your children s safety. Your cooperation in observing these regulations is mandatory and may avoid an accident or save a life All students must be picked up in front of the building. Absolutely no pick up of children on Penn Road, N. Wynnewood Ave., or Montgomery Ave. Cell phone use is prohibited while picking up or dropping off at MLRT. Drivers must be vigilant as students cross. No pick up allowed on the incline to the Temple driveway (the road between N. Wynnewood and the main doors of the Temple). A teacher will be placed there and the students will not be allowed to pass. No idling please turn off your car when waiting in line before dismissal. Pick up of all students at dismissal will be as follows: 1. All children will be picked up at the end of the cone line along the Temple s sidewalk. 2. Every family/carpool will be asked to display a placard in their front window with the names of all students being picked up. There will be a designated faculty member who will be reading those placards to have students sent to the car line for loading. 3. A no parking policy will be implemented on ALL diagonal parking in front of the building. This will enable us to add cars to the three lanes leading into our parking lot. 4. Please enter and exit the parking lot in the direction indicated: ALWAYS ENTER FROM WYNNEWOOD RD, EXIT TO PENN RD. 5. The lane closest to the building is for pass-through only; NO PICK UP IS ALLOWED. 6. Teachers will be present at dismissal to oversee these instructions. Please observe all these instructions, and let your children know that they must comply with them. iv

12 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY At Main Line Reform Temple Religious School, we want our students to feel successful and to appreciate being part of a caring community as they engage in Jewish study. We want them to understand why being Jewish matters: that they can and should be proud to be Jewish, and to know and experience the particular values of Reform Judaism. We insist that our students treat each other according to the highest principles of Jewish conduct. Our teachers provide a stimulating atmosphere with an acceptance of individual differences. MLRT Religious School is based on three main ideals: inspiring a positive attitude about being a Reform Jew; teaching significant Jewish knowledge; and promoting meaningful involvement in and service to the community. MLRT Religious School recognizes our role as a support system to your family. We provide information and skills for living Jewish life to supplement the Jewish values and practices that are part of your family. We will make every effort to give modern relevance to the traditions of Judaism, so that you can live the middot (values) and do the mitzvot (deeds). We understand that our families are each unique, and are aware that families find themselves at different levels of observance and practice of Jewish rituals. We encourage our families to continue to grow Jewishly; to learn and study with us, and to experience and draw from the deep riches of our tradition. We want to journey Jewishly together, and to support one another in this journey. We strive to consciously create community and connections in all that we do. We are here to share in one another s joys, accomplishments and simchas, and to support one another through life s challenges and difficulties. At MLRT Religious School, we take education seriously. We strive to help our students and families develop comfortable, enduring approaches to contemporary Jewish living, rooted in the experience of a welcoming synagogue community, meaningful worship and knowledge of Jewish values, customs and history. Our school seeks to instill in all of our students a love of the Jewish people and the land of Israel. We encourage parents to be involved in the school, your child s classroom, our incentive programs, and to help review material at home. We encourage families to learn together. As Reform Jews, we are especially dedicated to helping our students understand our responsibility to the community. For us, this includes helping God repair the world. Toward this end, we ask students to consistently donate small amounts of Tzedakah, and each class will engage in ongoing service projects. We believe that the most valuable Jewish learning comes through action and experience. MLRT is proud to be a welcoming and diverse community. We know that families are diverse in their composition, and are welcoming of all who seek to join us whether married, single, or divorced; Jews by choice, gay or lesbian. We know that Jews today can be of many colors and races. We are committed to welcoming interfaith families into our community, and know that many of our children have parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins who are not Jewish. Our staff is trained to be sensitive and responsive to our diversity, and to be supportive of the many choices that our families have made. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. We are here to serve as a resource for you and your extended family. We strive to help individuals, interfaith couples and families, particularly non-jewish partners, feel connected to and a part of our community. We provide a welcoming place of people of diverse religious backgrounds, sexual orientations and ethnicities. We are committed to supporting a diverse and v

13 welcoming community for all our members. vi

14 KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM SUMMARY Kindergarten gives the students a solid foundation for all further instruction. Students will develop a basic understanding of Jewish holidays, bible, and Jewish values through the utilization of stories, music, games and art to accommodate the Kindergartener s developing attention span. Kindergarten will also focus on the importance of having or developing positive attitudes towards Jewish education. Holidays & Shabbat The emphasis of Kindergarten is on holiday and Sabbath traditions. Students will be able to identify the symbols for each of the following holidays: Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim, and Passover. The students will become aware of the blessings, and the rituals (both home and synagogue) associated with each holiday. Jewish Values The Kindergartener will be introduced to the Jewish values of Tzedakah and doing Mitzvot. He/she will be able to explain what these Jewish values are and how they can be practiced. They will learn about our responsibility to one another and explore personal practices related to their Jewish family identity. Hebrew The students will understand basic Hebrew words related to the classroom, holidays and festivals. ע ב ר ית) Kindergarteners will experience our exciting, new Hebrew curriculum, Hebrew through Movement a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to,(בּ ת נוּע ה Hebrew commands in a playful and meaningful way. Bible The Kindergartener will recognize the stories found in the book of Genesis, such as: Creation, Noah, and Joseph and his brothers. Also with the study of the Bible, the students will begin to learn about God and God s importance in Judaism. Israel The Kindergartener will learn about the importance of Israel to the Jewish people and will be able to locate Israel on a map. Music & Prayer The music program will complement these themes with blessings and songs, which include: Hinei Mah Tov, Shema, HaMotzi, Kiddush (short), Shabbat Candle Blessings, and many more. Additional Objectives 1. The students will develop a sense of Jewish identity. 2. The students will develop a strong sense of belonging and comfort within the Temple, with the Rabbis, Cantor, educator and the Religious School faculty. 3. The students will develop a strong sense of importance towards helping others in the world through the act of performing mitzvot and giving Tzedakah. 4. The students will develop a sense of enjoyment and pride towards being Jewish and living a Jewish life. 5. The students will celebrate Jewish holidays together with their community either at Temple or at home. vii

15 FIRST GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY With an emphasis on experiencing the pleasure of Jewish activities, first graders will develop favorable Jewish attitudes towards Jewish learning, customs and traditions. The first grade class will begin to use the CHAI: Learning for Jewish Life Curriculum. First graders will discover their selves in the Jewish story, and what it means to be a part of the Jewish people (Am Yisrael Chai). First graders will develop positive connections to Judaism in order to build their Jewish identity and their comfort with being Jewish. Holidays & Shabbat The emphasis of the first grade is to focus on Holiday experiences and how participating in them connects them to the story of the Jewish people. The first graders will use their five senses to build a love for the Jewish holidays. First graders will continue to reinforce concepts about the holidays and Shabbat through stories, ritual objects, artworks, and creative activities. The students will understand why Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, and Shabbat. Jewish Values and Synagogue The first grade students will be introduced and will understand the different parts and purposes of the synagogue. The first grade students will also study Jewish values of Tzedakah and the importance of Mitzvot will be continued. The focus will shift more towards doing Mitzvot in the community and the importance of being included in the Jewish community. Hebrew The first graders will build on their understanding of basic Hebrew words related to the classroom, holidays and festivals. The students will also recognize the difference between English and Hebrew letters along with their shapes and sounds. First graders will experience our exciting, new Hebrew curriculum, Hebrew through Movement ית בּ ת נוּע ה),(ע ב ר a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands in a playful and meaningful way. Bible Through hands-on learning, games and discussion, first graders will learn the history of the Jewish people. First graders will be able to identify the following from the Bible: Adam and Eve, Creation, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Esau, and Joseph. The first graders will continue to learn about God and God s relationship to the Jewish people. Israel The first grader will continue to learn about the importance of Israel to the Jewish people, locate Israel on a map, and recognize the flag. First graders will start to discuss the differences between America and Israel. Music & Prayer The music program will complement these themes with blessings and songs, which include continuing to review the blessing learned in Hinei Mah Tov, Shema, HaMotzi, Kiddush (short), Shabbat Candle Blessings, Alef Bet, First and Second Chanukah Candle Blessing. Additional Objectives 1. The students will continue to develop a sense of Jewish identification. 2. The students will continue to develop a strong sense of belonging and comfort within the Temple, with the Rabbis, Cantor, educator and the Religious School faculty. 3. The students will develop a strong sense of importance towards helping others in the world through the act of performing mitzvot and giving Tzedakah. 4. The students will develop a sense of enjoyment and pride towards being Jewish and living a Jewish life. 5. The students will develop a sense of pleasure and enjoyment when celebrating Jewish holidays together with their community either at Temple or at home, while developing a sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community and realizing the link between themselves and the Jewish people in the Torah. viii

16 SECOND GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY Second grade will continue with the CHAI: Learning for Jewish Life Curriculum. Second graders will learn about how they are part of the Jewish people by exploring their relationship with the Jewish community and with God through the lenses of Torah, Avodah (finding sacred connections to God, community and self), and G milut Chasadim (performing personal acts of loving kindness, connecting us to our community). Holidays & Shabbat The second graders will take the knowledge they have already received and learn new concepts about holidays and Shabbat; exploring more deeply the different rituals and reasons for celebrating the holidays. The second grader will be able to retell the story of Hanukkah and recall the reasons Jews celebrate Sukkot, Tu B Shevat, Purim and Passover. Jewish Values Second graders are introduced to the concept of G milut Chasadim (personal acts of loving kindness). second graders will gain a basic understanding of what G milut Chasadim is and how they can perform personal acts of loving kindness in their everyday lives to help make the world a better place. Hebrew Second grade focuses on Hebrew reading readiness. Second graders will master the Hebrew alphabet and will continue to build on their already established Hebrew vocabulary. Second graders will experience our exciting, new Hebrew curriculum, Hebrew through Movement ית בּ ת נוּע ה),(ע ב ר a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands in a playful and meaningful way. Bible Second graders will study the Book of Sh mot (Exodus). Second graders will learn about the transformation of the Israelites from slaves into the Jewish people. Israel Building on what the students have already learned, second graders will continue to learn about the people of Israel as well as taking a close look at cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Music & Prayer Our music and prayer program continues with prayers that are more sophisticated, such as Shehecheyanu, all of the Chanukah Blessings, Modeh Ani, and Shabbat Blessings. Additional Objectives 1. The students will continue to develop a sense of Jewish identification. 2. The students will continue to develop a strong sense of belonging and comfort within the Temple, with the Rabbis, Cantor, educator and the Religious School faculty. 3. The students will develop a strong sense of importance towards helping others in the world through the act of performing mitzvot and giving Tzedakah. 4. The students will develop a sense of enjoyment and pride towards being Jewish and living a Jewish life. 5. The students will develop a sense of pleasure and enjoyment when celebrating Jewish holidays together with their community either at Temple or at home, while developing a sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community and realizing the link between themselves and the Jewish people in the Torah. 6. The students will feel a connection through the Hebrew language and the Jewish People. THIRD GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY ix

17 Third grade will continue with the CHAI: Learning for Jewish Life Curriculum. Third graders will bring an open mind and open heart to the notion of Mitzvah and will engage in activities that further add to their developing love of Judaism. Holidays & Shabbat Third graders will continue to expand their knowledge of the Jewish holidays and Shabbat. Third Graders will learn about Havdallah, the ceremony that separates Shabbat from the rest of the week. The third grader will also be able to retell the story of Passover and be able to recite the Four Questions in Hebrew and English. Jewish Values Third graders will focus on the concept of each individual s personal responsibility for incorporating acts of G milut Chasidim (acts of loving kindness) into their lives. Third graders will see how these actions are a Jewish responsibility and how these responsibilities can be applied in their homes, communities and around the world. The students will be able to connect a tangible act, such as tzedakah, to being God-like. Hebrew Third graders will be able to identify all of the Hebrew letters and vowels and be able to read and decode Hebrew words, phrases and sentences. Third graders will experience our exciting, new Hebrew curriculum, Hebrew through Movement ית בּ ת נוּע ה),(ע ב ר a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands in a playful and meaningful way. Bible Third graders will study the book of Leviticus (Vayikra). Third graders will learn about the notion of holy living or living a life filled with holiness (k dushah). The commandments (mitzvot) that are the core of Leviticus (Vayikra) are rules that are designed to help us feel God in all aspects of our lives, even the seemingly mundane. The third graders will have the opportunity to explore these aspects of Jewish life, gain a personal understanding of them, and determine ways in which they might impact their own lives. Israel Third graders will use the text The Great Israel Scavenger Hunt, by Scott E. Blumenthal, to travel across Israel and learn about the major cities and sites, the diversity of people and cultures, our biblical and modern ties with the Jewish homeland, and the geography of Israel. Music & Prayer The third grade will continue to review all of the prayers and blessings taught in Kindergarten through second grade. The students will continue to expand their musical/hebrew knowledge by learning all of Ma Nishtana, Barchu, Havdallah, Oseh Shalom, and Shabbat Blessings. Additional Objectives 1. The students will continue to develop a sense of Jewish identification. 2. The students will continue to develop a strong sense of belonging and comfort within the Temple, with the Rabbis, Cantor, educator and the Religious School faculty. 3. The students will develop a strong sense of importance towards helping others in the world through the act of performing mitzvot and giving Tzedakah. 4. The students will develop a sense of enjoyment and pride towards being Jewish and living a Jewish life. 5. The students will feel a connection through the Hebrew language and the Jewish People. 6. The students will begin to see the connections between God and the world around them. 7. The students will develop a sense of pleasure and enjoyment when celebrating Jewish holidays together with their community either at Temple or at home, while developing a sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community and realizing the link between themselves and the Jewish people in the Torah. x

18 FOURTH GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY Fourth grade will continue with the CHAI: Learning for Jewish Life Curriculum. Fourth graders will learn about the direct relationship between being a member of a community and their behaviors, through study of the relationship between the People and the Land in the Torah, the significance and structure of communal prayer and acts of G'milut Chasadim affecting relationships. Holidays & Shabbat Fourth graders will learn the way Jews all over the world celebrate Shabbat and the Jewish holidays they have studied up to this point, comparing the similarities and differences with how they celebrate in their homes. Jewish Values Fourth graders will continue to build upon the concept of each individual s personal responsibility for incorporating acts of G milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness) into their lives. Fourth graders are becoming more social, independent and opinionated. Because of this development, fourth graders will learn the importance of being a peacemaker amongst their friends, in their home and appreciate the differences of others, as we are all created in God s image. Hebrew Fourth graders will continue to focus on reading Hebrew. Students will learn Hebrew through a series of key words that are built on Siddur and Modern Hebrew vocabulary. The students will be able to recite the meaning of key Hebrew words and continue to learn blessings and prayers. The students will be able to read simple Hebrew text, and translate key words. Fourth graders will experience our exciting, new Hebrew curriculum, Hebrew through Movement ית בּ ת נוּע ה),(ע ב ר a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands in a playful and meaningful way. Bible Fourth graders will study text from the last two books of the Torah, Numbers (B midbar) and Deuteronomy (D varim). Fourth graders will focus on the following three concepts found in these two books Jewish people/ Am Yisrael, the Land of Israel/Eretz Yisrael, and the covenant/b rit between the Jewish people and God. Fourth graders will learn that these concepts are essential to understanding our relationship to God, the Torah, the Jewish people and Israel. Israel Fourth graders will start to study the highlights of Israel s history. The students will also continue to build on their knowledge of Israel and its location on the map, being able to identify the following places: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Sinai Desert, Dead Sea, and Haifa, and will be able to tell the importance about each place. Music & Prayer The music and prayer program will continue to expand in the fourth grade year to help our students be prepared for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. The students will be able to recite key blessings that were introduced in Kindergarten through third grade. They will be able to read the Prayers and blessings for home ritual observances like: Modeh/Modah Ani, Kiddush, Brachot shel Shabbat, and Sh ma. Additional Objectives 1. The students will continue to develop a sense of Jewish identification. 2. The students will continue to develop a strong sense of belonging and comfort within the Temple, with the Rabbis, Cantor, educator and the Religious School faculty. 3. The students will develop a strong sense of importance towards helping others in the world through the act of performing mitzvot and giving Tzedakah. 4. The students will develop a sense of enjoyment and pride towards being Jewish and living a Jewish life. 5. The students will feel a connection through the Hebrew language and the Jewish People. 6. The students will begin to see the connections between God and the world around them. 7. The students will develop a sense of pleasure and enjoyment when celebrating Jewish holidays together with their community either at Temple or at home, while developing a since of belonging to the xi

19 larger Jewish community and realizing the link between themselves and the Jewish people in the Torah. xii

20 FIFTH GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY Fifth grade will continue with the CHAI: Learning for Jewish Life Curriculum. Fifth graders will learn about Reform Judaism and the power of community. Fifth graders will examine such questions as: How did Reform Judaism come to be? What is the role of the individual in a community? How can we reach out to those in our community? Holidays & Shabbat Fifth graders will begin to take a closer look at the Holidays, such as Sukkot and Simchat Torah, continuing to learn the way Jews all over the world celebrate. Students will compare the similarities and differences with how they celebrate in their own homes, as well as continue to learn about Shabbat and the prayers involved with the celebration of Shabbat. Jewish Values Fifth graders focus on the different aspects of the Jewish community. Students will develop a positive attitude toward, and an appreciation for, the Jewish community in which they live. They will understand that the Jewish community is a central force in the lives of individual Jews and plays a role in assuring Jewish continuity. Fifth graders will learn that we are all a part of K lal Yisrael (the world community of Jews) and have a responsibility to actively support and sustain the Jewish community through acts of G milut Chasidim (acts of loving kindness). Hebrew Fifth graders will continue to focus on reading and writing Hebrew. They will practice their reading fluency with the goal to be able to read Siddur text with relative ease. The students will be able to recognize key Hebrew words and roots in relation to the blessings discussed in class. Fifth graders will experience our exciting, new Hebrew curriculum, Hebrew through Movement ית בּ ת נוּע ה),(ע ב ר a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands in a playful and meaningful way. Bible Fifth graders will focus on the books of Prophets (N vi-im) because they coincide with the fifth grader s ability to examine the world critically. Fifth graders will look at the world as God and the Prophets did. They will learn about problems during the times of the Prophets and will be asked to use the same critical eye to look at our world today and suggest ways to correct the injustices they see around them. Israel Fifth graders will continue to study the highlights of Israel s history. The students will build on their knowledge of Israel and its location on the map, being able to identify the following places: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Sinai Desert, Dead Sea, Haifa, Eilat, Be er Sheva, Tzfat and to tell the importance of each place. Music & Prayer The music and prayer program will continue to expand in the fifth grade year to help our students prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. The students will be able to recite key blessings that were introduced in Kindergarten through fourth grade. They will be able to read the opening prayers in the Shabbat morning service and blessings from the Amidah. Additional Objectives 1. The students will continue to develop a sense of Jewish identification. 2. The students will continue to develop a strong sense of belonging and comfort within the Temple, with the Rabbis, Cantor, educator and the Religious School faculty. 3. The students will develop a strong sense of importance towards helping others in the world through the act of performing mitzvot and giving Tzedakah. 4. The students will develop a sense of enjoyment and pride towards being Jewish and living a Jewish life. 5. The students will feel a connection through the Hebrew language and the Jewish People. 6. The students will begin to see the connections between God and the world around them. 13

21 7. The students will develop a sense of pleasure and enjoyment when celebrating Jewish holidays together with their community either at Temple or at home, while developing a sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community and realizing the link between themselves and the Jewish people in the Torah. SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY Sixth grade will continue with the CHAI: Learning for Jewish Life Curriculum. Sixth graders will examine the idea of Revelation. In Jewish terms, Revelation refers to the experience at Mount Sinai, when we as a free people accepted the Torah and agreed to live in a covenantal relationship with God. The sixth graders stand on the threshold of young adulthood. We will ask them to explore their own personal role and power- in the ongoing process of Revelation. Holidays & Shabbat Sixth graders will look at the origins, history, and concept of Jewish Holidays and be able to relate their relevance to contemporary life. Jewish Values & Life Cycles Sixth graders will continue to understand the power of the individual to make a difference, considering what he or she can do to make the world a better place. The students will study the concept of life cycles and related events examining the Jewish values underlying these events. The students will begin to understand the significance of becoming a Bar/Bat mitzvah in their lives and the Jewish community. Hebrew Sixth graders will continue to focus on reading and writing Hebrew. They will practice their reading fluency with the goal to be able to read Siddur text with relative ease. The students will be able to recognize key Hebrew words, roots in relation to the blessings discussed in class, as well as their literal meaning. Sixth graders will experience our exciting, new Hebrew curriculum, Hebrew through Movement ית בּ ת נוּע ה),(ע ב ר a language acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding to Hebrew commands in a fun and meaningful way. Bible Sixth graders will focus on the section of the Bible called Writings (K tuvim). Studying Jewish texts allows us to explore our relationships with God and reflect on the ways God is continually revealed to others and to ourselves. Sixth graders are constantly exploring and questioning long-held beliefs and ideas, this year they will look at the ongoing journey of understanding where God fits into their lives. Israel Sixth graders will continue building their knowledge of Israel, the highlights of Israel s history and comparing it to the experiences American Jews have had through the years. Music & Prayer The music and prayer program will expand in the sixth grade year and will continue to help our students prepare for their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. The students will be able to recite key blessings introduced in Kindergarten through fifth grade, as well as be able to read with the Torah service and concluding prayers in the Shabbat morning service. Additional Objectives 1. The students will continue to develop a sense of Jewish identification. 2. The students will continue to develop a strong sense of belonging and comfort within the Temple, with the Rabbis, Cantor, educator and the Religious School faculty. 3. The students will develop a strong sense of importance towards helping others in the world through the act of performing mitzvot and giving Tzedakah. 4. The students will develop a sense of enjoyment and pride towards being Jewish and living Jewishly. 5. The students will feel a connection through the Hebrew language and the Jewish People. 6. The students will begin to see the connections between God and the world around them. 14

22 7. The students will develop a sense of pleasure and enjoyment when celebrating Jewish holidays together with their community either at Temple or at home, while developing a sense of belonging to the larger Jewish community and realizing the link between themselves and the Jewish people in the Torah. 15

23 SEVENTH GRADE PROGRAM The seventh grade program is an integral part of Jewish education at MLRT. The lessons are not based on B nai Mitzvah, but on how we engage with the world around us. Throughout the course of the year, the students will enjoy Chugim (electives), which are experiential educational programs on topics such as Jewish Identity, Israel, American Jewry, Social Justice and the Holocaust. We will engage with outside Social Justice Organizations as well as guest speakers and facilitators in order to enhance the educational experience. Thanks to a generous congregant donation, we will feature a program called iwitness, through the USC Shoah Foundation. iwitness is an interactive, digitally based Holocaust education program created by Steven Spielberg. Students will be able to explore online Holocaust testimonials, resulting in our students creating service announcement videos about various topics related to the Holocaust. Accentuating this experience, students will also travel to Ellis Island in New York City and to the National Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. There are no assigned classrooms in 7th grade because learning groups and teacher pairings vary depending on the weekly programs. Some weeks, we will meet as an entire group, while other weeks we will break into smaller groups depending on choice of topic. The goal of the 7th grade program is to enhance the student experience and break away from the normal classroom lecture style of teaching. The 7th grade students are asked to be active participants in learning, while addressing the needs of teens to engage with their peers. PARENT CHILD CLASSES MLRT parent child classes offer a unique alternative to the standard Religious School experience. Each Sunday morning, students in grades 2-4 join with their parents in an interactive, creative and unique learning environment. Grades 3-4 meet late session (10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.) and Thursday afternoons (4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.). Parents attend on Sundays only; 3 rd 6 th grade students come without their parents mid-week. Our second grade class meets late session only on Sundays (10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.). BAR/BAT MITZVAH All students, at the time of Bar/Bat Mitzvah, must be registered members and active participants in Religious School. Each Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidate must be enrolled in and have met all Religious School requirements or be enrolled in an educational program approved by the Director of Education. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah program is under the direction of the Cantor with the guidance of the Rabbinical staff. All parents whose children are enrolled in our Religious School are contacted about Bar/Bat Mitzvah date assignments during the 4 th grade. Approximately one year prior to the ceremony date, intensive training begins in addition to regular Religious School hours. B nai Mitzvah students must be registered and attend 7 th grade Religious School. Parents of B nai Mitzvah students are expected to usher for a B nai Mitzvah service in the year preceding their children s B nai Mitzvah. Viewing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah as a step in the Jewish maturation process and not as the termination of one's Jewish studies, all Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates are expected and encouraged to enroll in the Confirmation Academy (grades 810). STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS We strive to meet the individual needs of our students with special needs. Students with special needs may be provided with individualized instruction, small group instruction, or mainstream instruction with support. Arrangements are made based on the specific needs of each student. We strive to prepare students with special needs for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah and work to help every 16

24 student achieve success. Please contact the Director of Education for more information and to schedule an initial meeting. CONFIRMATION: THE TRIBE: 8th & 9th GRADE RETREAT PROGRAM TheTribe is part of MLRT s Confirmation program and is an integral part of Jewish education at MLRT. Through the retreats and the shi urim (classes), not to mention the eagerly-anticipated spring trip, our students begin the process of learning what it means to become Jewish adults. To join TheTribe, students must register for 8 th or 9 th grade Religious School. The guiding theme for our two-year curriculum is Middot and Relationships: a Jewish Perspective on Modern Teen Life. We will examine issues of our relationships with friends, family and the world around us through the lens of Jewish values, or middot. We will also strive to create a community of empowered, caring Jewish teens who engage in meaningful learning experiences that are interactive, spiritual, and fun We hope that students will come away from the program with the sense that they have learned about the Jewish values and beliefs that can impact their daily lives. TheTribe has four components: 1. Three retreat weekends The three weekend retreats will be held as follows: October 18 th at Jack M. Barrack Academy; December 5-6 at the Union for Reform Judaism s Camp Harlam in the Poconos; and February at Diamond Ridge. These fun and intensive weekends provide an opportunity for students to celebrate Shabbat, learn, and spend time together as a community. 2. Evening Shi urim (classes) during non-retreat months Students will also participate in several evening shi urim and special programs during the year. The shi urim focus on what we can learn about family and human relations through the narratives and stories in the Jewish tradition. 3. Mishpacha (family learning) sessions Our classroom session will encourage students and their family members to explore our theme of Jewish values in modern life together. We will also take part in a social action program outside the Temple to put the values that we study into practice. We expect that at least one parent or adult family member will attend these two sessions. If this is not feasible, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can work together to pair your child with another family with whom s/ he already has a relationship. 4. New York City Trip (April 24 26) Our trip to New York City is always one of the highlights of our year. We visit historic Jewish sites, celebrate Shabbat at one of the city s most innovative synagogues, study in Central Park, and still manage to find plenty of free time for exploring and fun There is an extra fee of $280 required for the New York City trip, payable when you sign up. This learning process continues through Confirmation class in tenth grade and the post- Confirmation eleventh and twelfth grade classes with Rabbi Straus and MLRT s Director of Youth 17